UK report finds need for professional advice

Professor Dylan Jones-Evans, who recently undertook a government-sanctioned review of ‘access to finance’ in Wales, has argued there is greater scope for professional advice.

Reflecting on research conducted by UK firm Bibby Financial Services, which found only 18 per cent of small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) seek out guidance from financial advisers – followed by 14 per cent for accountants – Professor Jones-Evans said in an article for Wales Online that “this is a wake-up call for those advsiers supporting businesses”.

“More needs to be done to ensure that SMEs are linked in directly to the high-quality advice that the professional services businesses, both large and small, can provide to the business community,” he wrote.

The professor has called for the establishment of a development bank in Wales to work with advisers, accountants and lawyers providing services to SMEs in the region.