The CUEI has already revealed that one in four Brits (23%) has launched their own business, meaning they can officially call themselves an entrepreneur. Today, the wealth manager and private bank has also revealed what the drivers are behind those entrepreneurs making that decision.

Indeed, for British entrepreneurs, the flexibility to work for oneself was the number one factor, with more than half (52%) declaring so. The same figure (52%) also said they wanted their business to be a truly interesting place to work. More than a third (34%) were attracted to the possible financial reward and a quarter (25%) simply wanted to build something from scratch.

It was also clear that launching one’s own business is also an opportunity for many to do something for their society or community. One in three (33%) declared that it is important to them that their business has a positive impact on society, more than a fifth (21%) said that wanted it to create jobs and around one in six (17%) wanted their business to be diverse. 

Interestingly, Coutts found that more female entrepreneurs (37%) wanted their business to have a positive impact on society than their male counterparts (29%), and more women (57%) also found the idea of simply doing something more interesting a bigger driver than men (47%).

The CUEI also compared the different sentiments of the UK’s entrepreneurs depending on their age, with some fascinating insights coming to light. More younger entrepreneurs, those aged between 18-34, for instance, wanted their business to have a positive impact on society than their senior counterparts - 43% of Britain’s younger entrepreneurs stated so, compared to 35% of those aged 35-54 and just 16% of those aged 55+.

More younger entrepreneurs were attracted to starting their own business in order to build something for future generations with one in five (22%) stating so, compared to just 9% of those aged 55 or over. The desire to do something or work somewhere genuinely interesting was the biggest driver for those aged 55+, with a whopping 67% stating so, compared to 44% of those aged 18-34 and 48% of those aged 35-54. 

Commenting on the findings, Greg Kyle-Langley, Head of Entrepreneurs at Coutts, said: “While entrepreneurs have a number of reasons for starting up, they all share a recognition of the power of enterprise to change lives - whether their own, their family’s, or the broader community. We see that from the work we do with the Prince’s Trust, all the way up to the businesses founded by our clients that are household names in the UK and around the world.

"When it comes to advising an entrepreneur, either as their private bank, commercial bank or strategic partner, understanding the goals of that individual makes helping them achieve success that little bit more straightforward. In times such as these too, it is clear that business, whether a startup or large-scale global organisation - you have to be able to demonstrate their purpose in order to survive.

“What is encouraging to see is that here in the UK, there is a huge appetite to launch a business. To do so in the face of a global pandemic shows just how passionate, adventurous and powerful enterprise can be. It is our view that no matter what happens now or in the near future, it will be enterprise that helps rebuild the economy and we’re excited to see so many entrepreneurs ready to do what they can.”