Alex Salmond unveils Barclays Wealth Edinburgh office

Scotland's first minister Alex Salmond has unveiled Barclays Wealth's new Edinburgh office as the firm continues on its pursuit to become one of the five biggest private banks in the world by 2015.

The upgrade of the office, which is located on Melville Crescent and headed by John Godfrey, has received ‘significant investment’ during the refurbishment and now has space for new staff.

The wealth giant has ambitious plans for expansion and is to double the number of private bankers in house from around 650 in 2010 to 1,300 in 2015. It opened a string of regional offices in 2011 and has been on a hiring spree of late.

Senior members of Barclays' team including Godfrey, managing director of Scotland Mark Little and Jack Perry, who discussed the future of the Scottish financial services industry with Salmond at the opening of the office.  

Godfrey commented: ‘We would like to thank the first minister for opening the newly renovated Barclays Wealth’s offices in Edinburgh.

'Today is an important milestone for our growing business and also the financial services industry in Scotland. It demonstrates the underlying momentum we have collectively worked hard to build, and signifies our commitment to a dynamic and growing client base north of the border.'

Salmond added:  'These new premises being opened today are an indication of the commitment Barclays is making to the financial services sector in Scotland and to their own hopes for expansion here.'