Our country now has the opportunity to become a more dynamic and
faster growing economy.
ANDREW'S STORY
Andrew Barclay is determined to use the lessons from growing his own company to help build a country of entrepreneurs and fast-growing businesses.
Eight years ago, Andrew Barclay set up his own technology business, called YOPA, from scratch in a tiny office with two desks, one laptop and a single member of staff. Four years ago, Andrew employed 200 entrepreneurs across Britain, becoming the fourth largest estate agency in the country with a valuation of over £100m. One year ago, he sold that business to a group of investors that could take it to the next stage.
Andrew Barclay’s success was down to a mixture of good luck, hard work and the efforts of an incredible group of people who wanted the business to succeed. But throughout the growth of that venture, Andrew experienced how tough it is to overcome the hurdles that stand in the way of every entrepreneur – from over burdensome regulations to high tax rates. He saw first-hand the power that free enterprise has to totally transform people’s lives, especially those who have never run a business before.
Andrew Barclay’s experience has reinforced his wider core beliefs: it is entrepreneurs and businesses who build a successful economy, not the Government.
Andrew Barclay is determined to use the lessons from growing his own company to help build a country of entrepreneurs and fast-growing businesses. Andrew is already investing in other start-ups and providing advice on how they can scale up successfully. That is how their businesses will succeed but it is also how the British economy will grow faster too. And it is only through higher economic growth that we can fund better vital public services while not over taxing entrepreneurs and businesses.
Andrew Barclay’s experience has reinforced his wider core beliefs: it is entrepreneurs and businesses who build a successful economy, not the Government. We should reward those who work hard to provide for their families. It is economic security that creates national security. Importantly, because of Brexit, our country now has the opportunity to become a more dynamic and faster growing economy.
HELPING VETERANS START UP THEIR OWN ENTERPRISES
Andrew Barclay believes that anyone who is successful has a duty to give back to their community. That is why, for every sale we achieved at YOPA, we made a donation to the children’s charity, Barnardos.
He is now working with a group of veterans to assist those leaving the armed forces, especially those injured serving their country, to start their own venture. We are creating a new Fund that will invest directly in enterprises run by veterans, rather than giving out a handout or a loan and work with them to grow their businesses.
Those who have given so much in the service of their country deserve our help in return. His aim is to provide the practical assistance they need to achieve their dreams.
SMALL BUSINESSES SHOULD HAVE A STRONGER VOICE
Andrew Barclay was recently appointed as Director of Conservative Friends of Small Business with a specific remit to attract thousands of new members.
All too often, it is the voice of large multi-nationals that attracts the ear of the Government. Yet it is fast-growing small businesses that are responsible for half of new jobs. That is why he wants to be the voice for those smaller enterprises and why he is investing in other businesses to help them succeed.
Eight years ago, Andrew was just another entrepreneur with a good idea for a new business. Now, he wants to help others build their own successful enterprises. He wants to provide that help to ensure they succeed. But he also wants to be a voice for the values that will ensure our economy grows too - free enterprise, low taxes and hard work.
Using my experience to help other businesses thrive.
Andrew Barclay set up from scratch a fast growth business, called YOPA. In 2019, it had a valuation of £100m with a team of hundreds across the country. However, the majority were not employees but individual entrepreneurs running their own start-up ventures. That was a business model that he designed precisely to give everyone a stake in the success of the venture. But it also showed how unleashing entrepreneurial spirit is the key to reviving Britain’s economy.
He sold his stake in YOPA in 2022, which was then the 4th largest national estate agency. Andrew is helping other entrepreneurs grow their own businesses, with direct investment and first-hand advice. One of these enterprises, where he was a founding shareholder, will turn over £12m this year and has just expanded into New York. Seeing others launch their own successful companies with his help has been hugely rewarding. It is this experience that has helped shape his belief in free enterprise, low taxation and the importance of the family in creating a stable society.
Creating a veterans’ entrepreneur fund.
Andrew Barclay is working with a group of veterans to create an Entrepreneur’s Fund that will enable those leaving the armed forces to set up their own businesses from scratch. We are planning to launch the new Fund with the support of a group of investors and ex-servicemen and women running their own businesses. He has already met some incredible veterans, some of whom have overcome injuries that happened in the service of our country. They have inspired him to think about how he can help the next generation of veterans to succeed after they leave the armed forces.
Helping to keep families together.
Andrew Barclay believes passionately in the importance of the traditional family. That is why he is proud to be a Patron of a charity called Solidarity Sports. Their primary aim is to help vulnerable families to stay together by providing children with greater opportunities to participate in sports. He helped to fund their first community centre with sports facilities and a library. Andrew also volunteers for the charity, negotiating with landlords and the council on behalf of families in difficulty. He is also a strong supporter of a charity, Kids in Pain, that provides support to children and their families, including a local food bank and drug rehabilitation.
Andrew Barclay believes strongly that any successful business needs to give something back to society to help those who are less fortunate. That is why, when he was running YOPA, the company created a scheme to make a donation to the children’s charity, Barnardos, for every sale achieved. It was his belief in the wider societal responsibilities of businesses that led him to fund a hotline for a suicide prevention charity, CALM, supported by the Prince and Princess of Wales.
