Economic Impact of AIM

Economic Impact of AIM

Foreword

AIM, which is 20 years old this year, has weathered several 
economic storms over the past two decades, but has 
remained true to its core purpose of providing a flexible 
platform for growth companies to raise equity capital. 
As other growth markets have come and gone, AIM has 
maintained its position as the most successful growth market 
in the world and is now an established part of the funding 
ecosystem in the UK, supporting innovation, driving 
productivity and creating employment.
The economic contribution AIM makes to UK PLC is clear. 
The ongoing Government support of AIM as a market for 
young, dynamic innovative companies is important. Recent 
Government measures such as the removal of stamp duty on 
AIM shares and the inclusion of AIM shares in ISAs have 
been key for the development of the market.

Key findings

As London Stock Exchange’s international market for smaller growing 
companies, AIM has a vital role to play in supporting business growth.

By providing access to capital and on-going 
finance, AIM plays a key role in the funding 
ladder, enabling ambitious companies to raise 
external finance so that they can make a step 
change in their development. It is through this 
role that AIM has made and continues to make a 
substantial contribution to the UK economy. The 
purpose of this report is to quantify the scale and 
nature of this contribution.

Grant Thornton has drawn on a range of data 
sources in undertaking this independent analysis. 
The report commissioned by London Stock 
Exchange provides an update on Grant Thornton’s 
previous 2010 report. By updating that earlier 
analysis, this report clearly shows how the market 
not only withstood the global financial crisis 
and subsequent recession, but that its economic 
contribution and importance has actually increased.

Economic Impact of AIM