Liverpool SMEs missing out on stock market opportunities, says AIM head

More small businesses in the Liverpool City Region (LCR) need to consider floating on AIM, according to a number of leading financiers.

Marcus Stuttard, the head of AIM at the London Stock Exchange, yesterday (September 23) told a business audience to encourage more enterprises in Merseyside to become public companies.

AIM, a part of the London Stock Exchange that allows smaller companies to float shares, turns 20 this year. Of the 850 UK companies currently listed on the sub-market, just six are located in the LCR.

However, the North West as a whole is the second highest performing region, with 51 companies listed and £636.5m raised at admission.

Steve Stuart, a partner with Liverpool-based finance firm Brabners Stuart and a member of the Professional Liverpool organisation, said he believes Liverpool could be performing better when it comes to AIM listings.

He commented: “Liverpool is awash with opportunity in the digital, creative and life sciences sectors – all backed by top class universities and research institutions - and we need to drive thriving businesses to consider Initial Public Offerings (IPO).

“Given the level of activity happening in the city there is real potential to see more AIM flotations.”

Earlier this month Byotrol, a developer of hand sanitisers based in Daresbury, Cheshire, raised over £1m on AIM.

Securities firm Cenkos, an advisor for AIM companies, recently opened an office in Liverpool after identifying opportunities in the region. Established in 2004, the firm has since raised more than £12bn for companies floating on the sub-market.

Cenkos’ CEO, Jim Durkin, said: “The regional economies are growing on the back of the general economic recovery and there is more to go.

“There are a lot of entrepreneurial businesses looking for growth capital. Liverpool has a long history as a trading port and we believe it is the right place to be.”