PRIVATE banking company Coutts is the fifth sponsor to add its support to an initiative by the East Anglia Daily Times to identify and track the progress of Suffolk’s 50 top up-and-coming entrepreneurial businesses.

Besides news coverage of their success, Future 50 members will have the chance to pick the brains of some of the region’s leading business development experts and to attend a series of key networking events, as well as being invited to stay in touch through a dedicated Future 50 Linkedin group.

The Future 50 is backed by business advice organisation NWES, law firm Birketts, accountants Lovewell Blake, City College, Norwich, and, now, Coutts.

Mark Noble, director for Coutts in Norwich, said: “Coutts is delighted to sponsor the Future 50 programme. As a 300-year-old private bank, Coutts has a long history of supporting initiatives that reward and encourage innovative new businesses.

“Today, we continue to look after the financial affairs of some of the most talented and successful entrepreneurs in the UK – many of which hail from, or now choose to live in, Suffolk and Norfolk. All of our entrepreneurial clients started somewhere and this partnership is just one of the ways in which we help to nurture and champion entrepreneurialism.

“We have created the Knowledge Exchange – an online platform for our clients, many of whom are entrepreneurs – to communicate with each other, pick up tips and watch other clients tell their stories because we recognise that these are important building blocks for success.”

Mr Noble added: “Our local office is based in Norwich, working with clients in Suffolk and Norfolk, and has thrived since opening in 2009 because we understand the needs of individuals, whatever their walk of life.

“Whether someone is progressing rapidly in their career or building their business and looking to build wealth, we have the long-standing experience and expertise to facilitate our clients’ needs.

“We are supporting the programme, because we recognise that true success stems from true talent and in past years of sponsorship we have witnessed many deserving new businesses being given the platform to grow.”

To nominate yourself or your business, or to nominate a company you think should be part of the Future 50, simply go to the dedicated website ? www.eadt.co.uk/future50 ? and follow the instructions.

Judges will be looking for a track record of rapid growth, or the potential to achieve it, a belief in the success of the business, an appetite for risk, and a venture that has made an impact on its marketplace, or has the potential to do so, in the eastern region and beyond.