Wealth and investment firms have backed the launch of new ‘Investing in Britain’ online hubs, which are set to launch next year.

The hubs aim to help people find UK investment opportunities and have received commitments from firms including: Barclays Private Bank and Wealth Management, Fidelity International, Freetrade, Hargreaves Lansdown, HSBC UK, Lloyds Banking Group, NatWest Group, and Vanguard.

Alongside this, the Investment Association (IA) has announced it will lead a pan-industry data project, which has been designed to provide a better understanding of how consumers are investing to inform future policy making.

The hubs, which build on the Leeds Reforms to help develop the UK’s retail investment culture, will be developed by firms to point consumers towards ways to invest in UK companies.

Research from the IA found that 71 per cent of retail investors felt it was important to support the UK economy by investing in British businesses, and 68 per cent believed that channeling capital to UK companies was important for boosting those businesses.

Furthermore, more than half (57 per cent) of retail investors felt it was important that they can invest in UK companies through their stocks and shares ISAs.

The association stated that the new ‘Investing in Britain’ hubs will help highlight these opportunities.

The IA also revealed that it would be coordinating with the Association of Investment Companies (AIC), the Platforms Association, investment platforms and the wider industry, and data providers to establish a single data set on how much retail money is going into UK equities.

This will be compiled to show the levels of investment in UK companies, whether directly in shares of through funds or investment trusts.

“Investment sits at the very heart of the UK’s growth ambitions,” said IA chief executive, Chris Cummings.

“By making it easier for people to find and access opportunities to invest in British businesses, as part of a diversified investment approach, we are not only supporting individual financial resilience but also the broader economy.

“The appetite among UK investors to back domestic companies is clear, and by working together across the industry, we can help signpost people to those opportunities.”

Barclays Private Bank and Wealth Management chief executive officer, Sasha Wiggins, added: “Barclays is proud to join our industry peers in developing new, more accessible ways for people to discover and invest in British businesses.

“Our commitment is clear - to make it easier for individuals to find opportunities to invest in UK companies and empower them to make informed choices.

“We also recognise that education and confidence are fundamental to building a resilient investment culture. Investing is about securing long-term financial wellbeing and prosperity.

“We want everyone with the means to invest to feel more assured in taking the next step, and we look forward to sharing our progress.”

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