GLASGOW’S INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES DISTRICT

an introduction to IFSD

Glasgow’s International Financial Services District (IFSD) is apurpose built centre of excellence for financial companies.

Since its launch in 2001, the District has welcomed many of the biggest names in global finance .... attracted by a first class combination of skilled labour, quality offices,competitive operating costs and a great infrastructure, all backed by an award winning support network for bothindigenous companies and inward investors.

The successful growth of the IFSD in recent years builds onGlasgow’s centuries old heritage in financial services. Today,the city has around 30,000 people employed in financialservices, making it one of Glasgow’s most important business sectors.

Glasgow’s outstanding credentials as a top class location for financial services companies are underlined by the evergrowing list of major firms choosing to locate and grow inthe city. These include JP Morgan, Morgan Stanley, BarclaysWealth, BNP Paribas, Aon, ACE Insurance, esure, First Data,Clydesdale Bank, Lloyds Banking Group, Tesco Bank andmany, many more.

The IFSD is compact, convenient and concentrated ... a trulyworld class business location for financial services companies.

Find details on available properties at www.ifsdglasgow.com

top quality offices

A tour around the IFSD reveals just how much physicaltransformation has taken place in recent years. Where oncestood crumbling, dilapidated warehouses, each one a reminderof Glasgow’s past, there now stands an impressive array ofgleaming, glass fronted office developments, home to many ofthe best known names in global finance.

When it comes to the provision of high quality, competitivelypriced work space, Glasgow’s IFSD has a lot to offer; whetherit’s modern, award winning, waterfront offices with largefloorplates or the very best in refurbished space, converted to meet the needs of today’s employers.

A key attraction of the IFSD for both expanding and re-locatingcompanies is the sheer choice of office accommodation. Since2001, almost two million sq ft of Grade A space has beencompleted offering employers significantly more choice thanmost comparable cities.

Further information: www.iasg-cii.com

skilled workforce

A recurring reason for global giants in finance choosing tolocate in Glasgow is the availability of a highly skilledworkforce. The city’s excellent public transport networksdeliver a huge labour pool of around 1.5 million people fromits travel to work area.

While 1 in 13 of Glasgow’s total workforce is employed inthe financial sector, it’s about more than numbers … thequality is very evident too.

Financial staff in Scotland are generally better qualified thananywhere else in the UK. Staff retention is also good in thecity and salaries are very competitive.

And, last, but certainly not least, many employers in Glasgowcomment favourably on a ‘can do’ attitude in the workplace,accompanied by the traditional Glaswegian reputation forwarmth, humour and friendliness.

The partnership behind the IFSD works closely with tradebodies and local companies to support their recruitment andtraining needs. A great example is its work with the Insuranceand Actuarial Society of Glasgow to establish a study centreat the Mitchell Library (right) for the insurance industry, thefirst of its type in the UK.

academic excellence

Glasgow’s IFSD has ready access to a large pipeline of qualifiedgraduates. The city has four universities, three higher educationcolleges and twelve further education colleges, producingthousands of graduates each year with qualifications directlyrelevant to the needs of the financial services industry.

Strathclyde Business School, part of the University ofStrathclyde, is the only business school in Scotland and one ofonly 21 worldwide, to win accreditation by the world’s topthree accreditation bodies.

Glasgow Caledonian University has been named the Securitiesand Investment Institute’s first Centre of Excellence,specialising in financial services operations and risk.

And, Glasgow University’s Business School is one of an elitegroup - less than 10 percent of the world’s business schools –that holds AACSB accreditation. Its MBA Programme is alsofully accredited by AMBA and approved by the UK CabinetOffice for the civil service.

The partners behind Glasgow’s IFSD and its major employershave forged close working relationships with Glasgow’suniversities and colleges to deliver a pipeline of graduatesready to take up career opportunities in the financial servicesindustry.

Further Information: www.strath.ac.uk/business www.gcal.ac.ukwww.gla.ac.uk/departments/businessschool

Further Information: www.glasgowairport.comwww.spt.co.uk/subway

great infrastructure

Glasgow’s excellent transport links feature three internationalairports within 45 minutes drive of the IFSD. The closest,Glasgow International Airport, only 15 minutes away, offersalmost 70 flights each weekday to London airports and serves90 destinations worldwide.

Glasgow boasts the UK’s largest suburban rail network outsideLondon and the city also has an underground rail system withtwo stations offering easy access to the IFSD.

On the western edge of the IFSD is the M8 motorway, offeringready access to Scotland’s motorway network and all pointsnorth, south, east and west.

Glasgow also offers one of the most sophisticated, competitivetelecommunications environments in Europe. BT, an earlypartner in the IFSD’s development, has invested £50 million inthe broadband infrastructure which helps the city deliver classleading standards for security of service, value for money,future proofing and fast, reliable connectivity.

All of this is backed by a further £50 million investment in thepublic realm, creating a high quality environment for theDistrict and ensuring that every visit to the IFSD is impressive,from start to finish.

Further information: www.seeglasgow.com

quality of life

As a stylish, cosmopolitan centre with something for everyone,Glasgow is one of Europe’s great cities.

Consistently voted the UK’s best shopping experience outsideLondon, the city is packed with attractive malls, designerboutiques and speciality shops, catering for every taste.

Eating out is another pleasure with a stunning selection ofgourmet restaurants, cafes, bars and bistros.

As home to the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, ScottishBallet and Scottish Opera, Glasgow scores highly on the artsand culture front, not to mention its museums and artgalleries, which rank on a worldwide scale.

With more green space per square mile than any other UKcity, Glasgow is known affectionately as ‘the dear green place’.Those hankering after the ‘great outdoors’ can find LochLomond, the gateway to the Highlands, a short 45 minutedrive from the centre of the city.

House hunters in Glasgow are spoilt for choice. From trendywaterfront apartments in the IFSD to generously proportionedVictorian flats and townhouses in Glasgow’s West End; fromloft apartments in the Merchant City to substantial familyvillas in outstanding high quality suburbs, Glasgow has it all.

For further information on Glasgow’s IFSD, please visitwww.ifsdglasgow.com or email ifsd.enquiries@scotent.co.uk

strong partnership

The success of Glasgow’s IFSD has been driven by a strongpartnership between the public and private sectors that has seenwell over one billion pounds invested in the District since itslaunch. The public sector partners, led by Scottish Enterprise andGlasgow City Council, have forged strong links and co-ordinatedeffectively with property developers and investors, technologyproviders and financial companies, to deliver a purpose built centreof excellence.

Partners involved in the IFSD are:

• Glasgow City Council

• Scottish Enterprise

• Scottish Government

• Scottish Financial Enterprise

• Scottish Development International

• BT and numerous property developers and investors

The partners are totally committed to working closely withexisting companies and new inward investors, offering a wide rangeof practical assistance. This can include support on telecoms,property, aftercare support and training and recruitment. As anassisted area, Glasgow benefits from a range of further supportmeasures under Regional Selective Assistance, the Governmentgrant scheme to encourage investment and job creation.