Our pioneering UK Futures Programme, and in particular our Businesses Leading Britain report, have been recognised at the highest levels of government for their insight into how to facilitate the development and competitiveness of British companies, exploring barriers to expansion, particularly into overseas markets, in order to nurture wealth creation.

UK Futures seeks to encourage debate on how to grow and develop British business and, as part of this, Deloitte runs a highly successful CEO Growth Escalator Programme (GEP). This helps leaders of medium-sized businesses (MSBs) succeed in expanding into high-growth markets through various support mechanisms such as interaction with a Deloitte mentor, executive workshops, connecting peer CEOs and access to a network of government and policy stakeholders.

As part of our efforts to understand the best ways to support inbound and outbound investment in the UK, we have been proactively supporting the government’s Exporting is GREAT campaign. We have worked in association with UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) to drive exports and have been active in several high-profile trade delegations throughout the year. During the recent trade missions to China by London Mayor Boris Johnson, we hosted a roundtable event for the mayor and leading Hong Kong and mainland real estate developers to showcase investment opportunities in London.

Investment by British businesses will be a key engine of economic growth in the UK in the coming years. Our report¹ into the $2.8 trillion (c. £1.6 trillion) of unspent corporate cash built up since the start of the financial crisis - and the widening gulf between hoarders and spenders - created significant interest across the UK media and government. Understanding how, and whether, companies will deploy this vast cash pile has been significant in predicting increased capital expenditure and deal-making in the UK.