Associate, Transaction Management

City minister insists capital markets reform 'not a job done' Senior City Reporter A top Treasury minister has opened the door to further capital markets reforms after saying the government's job was not done in improving listing incentives. Lucy Rigby, who serves as the economic secretary to the Treasury, otherwise known as City minister, told City AM the government was "continually looking for ways that we can ensure we're being as competitive as possible". "We need to be cognisant of global competition and vigilant," she said, adding "this isn't just about our capital markets, but a much broader question for our financial services sector". In the 2025 Budget, then-Chancellor Rachel Reeves launched a stamp duty holiday, removing the 0.5 per cent levy on UK stocks for newly-listed companies in their first three years of trading. "The reforms we've made to our capital markets are starting to bear some fruit... it's definitely not a job done. I think it's going to require a concerted and continued effort," Rigby said. News updates. Stay ahead with our three daily briefings delivering all the key market moves, top business and political stories, and incisive analysis straight to your inbox. She pointed to the £5.3bn IPO of Airtel Money - the City's biggest listing in five years - as a sign of "renewed momentum". But the year has remained subdued for major IPOs with top names rumoured to be mulling a float either delaying or scrapping plans. Top bosses have continued to call for bigger swings to unlock an influx of new listings. Rigby getting 'many calls' to do something about stamp duty. Fintech industry body Innovate Finance - which counts Revolut, Monzo and Zilch among its members - has called for stamp duty to be abolished entirely to "help reverse the decline in British ownership of UK companies". Rigby told City AM: "I wouldn't be doing my job properly if I hadn't heard many calls to do something about stamp." UK fintech investment hit a decade low in the first-half of the year at £1.8bn, down roughly two-thirds from the £5bn the year prior. Rigby said the figure was "not an amount of money to be sniffed at" but added the Treasury was making a "very considerable effort" to improve access to capital. The minister met with top fintech unicorn chiefs last week, including the bosses of iwoca, Clearbank and Modulur. A number of the industry's top firms have ramped up lobbying efforts ahead of the Budget, with a key demand for the government to increase the threshold at which banks are hit with a sector specific tax. Revolut and Monzo teamed up with Shawbrook, Aldemore and other challenger banks to lobby for the surcharge threshold to £500m, from £100m. Rigby said: "Decisions on all forms of tax are for the Chancellor and he'll make them in the context of the Budget" She added: "There is no route to good growth in every postcode that doesn't involve our world-leading financial services sector supporting the ambitions of the whole country.

Shawbrook backs listed Bristol pub conversion with £3.1m development loan. Shawbrook has provided a £3.1 million development finance facility to support the transformation of a former Bristol pub into a 33-bed purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) scheme. The 16-month facility is supporting the redevelopment of The Old Tavern in Stapleton, combining the conversion and extension of the existing Grade II listed property with the construction of a new two-storey building within the grounds. The completed development will provide a mix of cluster and studio accommodation, with ensuite bedrooms, communal areas and amenity space, and is expected to have a Gross Development Value (GDV) of approximately £4.6 million. Given the listed status of the property and associated planning and construction considerations, the developer was looking for a lender that could provide a well-structured facility and support the more complex requirements of the project. Broker partner Page Property Finance introduced the developer to Shawbrook, with both already familiar with the bank's experience and appetite for supporting PBSA schemes across Bristol. Shawbrook structured the £3.1 million facility to support the delivery of the scheme, which is now nearing completion. Mike Page, Director at Page Property Finance, said: "The client needed a lender that understood the PBSA market and could get comfortable with the additional considerations that come with a listed building development. Understanding Shawbrook's track record supporting similar schemes in the region, Bridging Loan Directory felt the team would be a good fit for the project. Greg and the Shawbrook team worked closely with Bridging Loan Directory and its client to understand the requirements of the development and put the right funding structure in place. It's great to see the project now nearing completion and the client's plans coming to life." Greg Pescott, Relationship Director, Development Finance at Shawbrook, commented: "This is an exciting scheme from an experienced developer, bringing a historic Bristol property back into use while delivering much-needed new student accommodation. The combination of the listed building and new-build elements makes this a particularly interesting project. It's a strong addition to Bristol's student accommodation market and Bridging Loan Directory is pleased to have supported in delivering the developer's plans for the site."

Perch Group, a Blackpool-based company, has secured a £55 million facility from Triple Point as part of an enhanced £400 million funding platform to support its growth plans. The facility forms a component of the broader funding package, which will enable the company to pursue its expansion objectives. No additional details about Perch Group's specific business operations or growth strategy were disclosed.