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The Growth Agenda

Channelling capital and confidence so our public companies can thrive

Annual Conference 2024

June 6, London

Sponsored by:

Media Partner:

THE GROWTH AGENDA 

CHANNELLING CAPITAL AND CONFIDENCE SO OUR PUBLIC COMPANIES CAN THRIVE

This year we brought together several hundred stakeholders from across the UK economy to explore how to secure the future of the UK’s public markets.

From investors to company directors, advisers, regulators, government representatives and the media, it was great to see such a broad spread of the growth company community come together in one room.

The QCA’s chief executive, James Ashton, opened proceedings by posing three questions:

“What does it take to grow the numbers of exciting entrepreneurial companies on our public markets?

“How can we create an environment of plentiful growth capital so these companies can scale up on these shores and invest in jobs and IP?

“And what are the levers we must pull to ensure we have supportive, proportionate regulators and a government deploying its fiscal tools sensibly to back British stocks?”

He added: “It sounds like I’m stood up here on the election stump. The difference is our campaign does not end on July 4. We need to make sure the QCA speaks up consistently so that our members always win the vote with those in power.”

Later on, he remarked: “Whoever is in power on July 5, we will be sure to tell them that life might feel somewhat better but the work is far from done. That well-functioning, cost-effective public markets are an essential facet of a credible industrial strategy. And that one of the most impactful day one moves would be to scrap stamp duty on share trading.”

During the conference, several key topics were explored, including how to find the funding for tomorrow’s blue chips and how high-growth companies can thrive under public scrutiny.

In between sessions, there was an ideal opportunity to network and build connections.

Scroll down to see the day’s highlights.

James Kanagasooriam, Chief Research Officer, Focaldata shared his timely insights on the state of UK politics ahead of the general election.

William Wright, Founder & Managing Director at New Financial presents his analysis on why smaller companies are suffering most – and how to fix the problem.

PANEL DISCUSSION

The Search for Growth Capital: who will fund the blue chips of tomorrow today – and in public, not just private?

Chair: Sarah Gordon, Visiting Professor in Practice, London School of Economics

Irene Graham OBE,  Founder & Chief Executive Officer, ScaleUp Institute

Paul Stevens, Head of Quoted Investments, Business Growth Fund

Judith MacKenzie, Partner, Downing

PANEL DISCUSSION

Culture, talent, strategy, profit: what must high-growth companies do to thrive on the public markets? 

Chair: Andy Silvester, Editor, City A.M.

Devyani Vaishampayan, Non-Executive Director, Norman Broadbent

Damindu Jayaweera, Head of Technology Research, Peel Hunt

Ray Anderson, Executive Chair, Bango

PANEL DISCUSSION

Faster, clearer, fairer: what more can our key regulators do to support capital markets for companies of all sizes?

Chair: Lucy McNulty, Editor, Following the Rules

Linda Main, Non-Executive Director, Quoted Companies Alliance

Mark Austin, Corporate Partner, Latham & Watkins

Baroness Bowles, Member of the House of Lords

Charles Randell CBE, Senior Consultant, Slaughter and May and ex-Financial Conduct Authority

Tom Ilube, Chief Executive Officer at Crossword Cybersecurity explored The Founder’s Tale: after the IPO, where next?

Julia Hoggett, Chief Executive Officer at the London Stock Exchange answers questions about what the LSE is doing to invigorate the UK's public markets.

The Growth Agenda is everyone’s agenda.

Our Annual Conference 2024 went in search of sources of funding for tomorrow’s blue chips, explored what high-potential companies must do to thrive on the public markets, and asked what more support we should expect from key regulators.

WATCH: QCA Annual Conference 2024 highlights

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