Mid sized businesses lagging Europe, says report

According to the survey, only 17% of revenues from the UK's mid sized business (msb) sector comes from customers outside of the UK. Additionally, 36% of these companies operate on a national basis, versus 22% of Germany companies. As a result, says the report, German firms are seeing a higher growth trajectory than those in the UK. Katja Hall, pictured, chief policy director for the CBI, said: "GE Capital's research really highlights the disparities. The UK mid market has the second highest proportion of 'gazelles' – or 'growth champions' – when compared to the mid market in Germany, France and Italy, but also the second highest proportion of flat and declining companies. "What GE Capital's research also found was that UK MSBs' principal focus is simply staying in business. Survival, rather than growth, is the defining strategy of 26% of the companies surveyed: more than in France and Italy and almost double that of German companies." "MSBs and exports are intrinsically linked, and we welcome the government's moves to bolster the support they are offering to help MSBs looking expand overseas. It's critical, because MSBs are our innovators and fundamental components of larger exporters' supply chains. Addressing a business summit in London, Hall said: "If the gap narrows, so that there are more gazelles, as well as more slow growing firms reaching a steady expansion rate, MSBs could add £20billion to the economy by 2020. "But we won't achieve it if we carry on as we are. The neglected middle must become the nurtured middle."