Review of the Business Finance Landscape in Wales

The Development Bank of Wales is seeking to appoint an appropriately qualified economic consultancy or research provider to undertake an independent review of the business finance landscape in Wales.
The Development Bank of Wales will act as the contracting authority and will enter into the contract with the successful supplier. Economic Intelligence Wales, the independent research arm of the Development Bank of Wales, is the project sponsor and commissioning body for the requirement. Economic Intelligence Wales will be responsible for shaping the research scope, providing subject matter input and supporting the delivery of the contract.
The review will assess how effectively current public, private and alternative finance provision meets the present and anticipated future needs of businesses in Wales. It will identify key gaps, frictions, affordability constraints, market failures, risks and opportunities within the Welsh business finance market.
The work is expected to provide the Development Bank of Wales, Welsh Government and wider stakeholders with an independent, robust and evidence-led assessment of the Welsh business finance landscape. The successful supplier will be required to produce practical, policy-relevant and decision-ready outputs suitable for senior policy, delivery and stakeholder audiences.
Core requirement
The initial commission will focus on Phase 1, which is expected to include:
mapping the current business finance landscape in Wales;
assessing the supply of, and demand for, business finance;
reviewing the role and availability of public, private and alternative finance;
identifying finance gaps, market frictions, affordability constraints and potential market failures;
examining the public finance and policy context;
assessing current and emerging trends affecting the future demand for and supply of finance;
identifying evidence and data gaps;
undertaking proportionate and targeted stakeholder engagement;
setting out headline policy and...