Barclays Wealth

Significant investment in premises demonstrates commitment to business growth in Scotland

Today Scotland's First Minister, Alex Salmond, attended the opening of Barclays Wealth's newly renovated headquarters in Edinburgh. The upgraded regional offices of the UK's largest wealth manager saw senior members of the Scottish business, including Jack Perry, UK&IPB Advisory Committee member, Mark Little, Managing Director of Scotland and Northern Ireland and John Godfrey, Head of the Edinburgh office, meet with the First Minister to discuss the financial services industry in Scotland.

Last Year Barclays Wealth undertook the significant investment in their Edinburgh office, located on Melville Crescent in the centre of the city, and today's tour and ceremony marks the completion of the refurbishment.

The investment reflects the commitment of the financial services firm to Scotland and the significant growth the Edinburgh business has enjoyed to date. The office will provide state of the art meeting and working facilities to meet the ever changing requirements of a modern wealth management business and its client's expectations. It will also allow significant room for further expansion in terms of staff numbers as the business continues to grow and attract new clients.

John Godfrey commented: "We would like to thank the First Minister for opening the newly renovated Barclays Wealth's offices in Edinburgh. Today is an important milestone for our growing business and also the financial services industry in Scotland. It demonstrates the underlying momentum we have collectively worked hard to build, and signifies our commitment to a dynamic and growing client base north of the border."

First Minister Alex Salmond said: "These new premises being opened today are an indication of the commitment Barclays is making to the financial services sector in Scotland and to their own hopes for expansion here.

"Barclays Wealth's investment in their future in Edinburgh is also another sign of the potential for Scotland's financial services sector, which is in important source of jobs and economic growth. More than 2,400 staff already work for Barclays in Scotland, which the Scottish Government has been delighted to play its part in supporting, and there is potential for even more as the company expands.

"Business and financial services are identified in our economic strategy as key sectors offering a major opportunity for Scotland. Growth here will make this country more internationally competitive and Barclays' commitment to further growth of its operations here is a valuable step on that journey."

Barclays Wealth provides bespoke financial services to high net worth clients in Scotland - offering the full range of personal, professional, lending, investment and wealth advisory services. In 2011 the company announced a four year, £350m, global investment programme, 40 per cent of which is being invested in its people. In 2011 Barclays Wealth made several significant hires into the private banking business, including Calum Brewster, Chris Arbuthnott and Mark McCue.

For further information contact:

Clare Milton, Barclays Wealth, Corporate Communications
+44 (0)20 3134 2327