​Johnston Carmichael has joined the new Barclays Innovation Hub in Glasgow as a founding partner, giving ambitious founders and scaling businesses direct access to our people and expertise.

Based in the Beco Building on the Barclays campus, the hub is only the second Barclays Innovation Hub in the UK, following London. It brings together a curated ecosystem of founders, investors, universities, advisers, corporates and technology specialists. Creating a collaborative environment designed to help innovative businesses grow. The initiative forms part of Barclays' wider Backing Britain's Future programme, which aims to support entrepreneurs and businesses at every stage of their growth journey.

​Supporting Glasgow’s growing innovation ecosystem

The launch comes at an important time for Glasgow's innovation economy. The city's technology ecosystem is valued at £5.6 billion, with technology companies attracting more than £300 million in venture capital investment since the beginning of 2025. Glasgow's universities have also produced more than 130 spinouts. Highlighting the strength of the region's pipeline of innovation and entrepreneurial talent. The Hub aims to help more businesses move from early-stage development to investment, commercialisation and international growth. Glasgow has the heritage, skills and growing technology ecosystem to build on its industrial strengths and become a global centre for innovation.

Helping founders turn ambition into growth

As an Innovation Hub Partner, we will work with Barclays to support members through workshops, mentoring, office hours and events. Providing access to our specialists as founders tackle the challenges of building and scaling a business. Together, we will help connect entrepreneurs with the expertise, networks and opportunities they need to achieve sustainable growth.

This partnership reflects our long-standing commitment to helping entrepreneurial businesses navigate every stage of growth. From early-stage start-up through to scale-up and international expansion.
Glasgow is a strong place to do that. The city’s innovation community spans technology, fintech, life sciences, energy transition and advanced manufacturing. The new hub gives founders another place to connect, learn and find the support they need.

Calum Purdie

Head of Technology & Life Sciences 

​Connecting Scotland’s innovators with opportunity

Abdul Qureshi, Head of Barclays Business Banking, said: “Scotland is hugely important to Barclays, and Glasgow already plays a significant role in our technology capability. Our Innovation Hub will be our flagship innovation presence in Scotland, bringing the right people and organisations together to turn promising ideas into growing businesses.

“By combining Barclays’ expertise and national network with Scotland’s talent, universities and technology community, we can help businesses embrace new technologies, including AI, find customers, attract investment and scale from Glasgow to the world. That is what Backing Britain’s Future means in practice: helping turn entrepreneurial ambition into investment, innovation and long-term growth.”

We’re looking forward to working with Barclays Eagle Labs and the wider community as the hub opens its doors. If you’re a founder or scaling business interested in getting involved, contact Calum Purdie.