Bank Sets Up Entrepreneurs' Centre

A new centre for entrepreneurs is to be established at the Royal Bank of Scotland's (RBS) Edinburgh headquarters.

The bank is transforming its former executive wing'' at Gogarburn into a centre for entrepreneurs and innovation. Officials said the initiative is designed to encourage entrepreneurialism and promote economic growth.

The centre will house staff from business organisations such as Entrepreneurial Spark, Business Gateway, Napier University and The Princes Trust Scotland.

It will also be home to an Entrepreneurial Spark business accelerator hub'', which will help early-stage start-ups and high growth, high impact businesses.

Up to 80 entrepreneurs are expected to be based at the hub, where the will get access to specially-trained RBS staff and business mentors.

RBS chief executive Ross McEwan said: It is not just start-up businesses that need to be innovative and forward thinking to thrive and grow, RBS needs to be as well. That is why we are opening up our headquarters so that we can support

Scottish businesses of tomorrow, not just with infrastructure, but through the chance to collaborate with experts and other like minded business owners. This marks a step change in how we can work with partners to support our local economy.''

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: We want to see a Scotland that is a world leader in innovation - that's a key way in which we can continue to grow our economy.

Everyone should have equal opportunity for entrepreneurial success so it's fantastic that this new centre will now be home to organisations which work to give people that chance.''