Brent Hoberman Calls for Growth Visas to Attract Foreign Founders to UK

Britain’s entrepreneurial future hinges on welcoming more foreign-born founders and investors, according to one of the UK’s most influential business leaders, who delivered a rallying cry for economic renewal at the City AM Awards 2026. Brent Hoberman, co-founder of Lastminute.com and architect of the new Enterprise Britain movement, called on the government to introduce “growth visas” and reduce bureaucratic barriers to stem the exodus of talent and attract global ambition to the UK.

Speaking to an audience of over 500 City grandees and chief executives at the Guildhall, Hoberman argued that the UK’s economic revival depends on reversing the trend of pushing away international entrepreneurs. “The immigration debate is heated. But anyone serious about wealth creation has to be honest — pulling up the drawbridge is economically insane,” he said. “Over half of the UK’s fastest-growing companies were founded by immigrants. We need more ambitious founders coming to the UK, not fewer.”

Hoberman’s remarks come as new analysis from The Entrepreneurs Network confirms that 54% of Britain’s top 100 fastest-growing companies have a foreign-born founder or co-founder. These entrepreneurs come from diverse backgrounds, with France, the United States, Belgium, Germany, and Italy among the most common countries of origin. The data underscores the outsized role immigrants play in driving the UK’s startup ecosystem, even as the government tightens migration rules.

Hoberman also criticized the prevailing narrative of economic decline, noting that optimism about the UK economy is at historic lows, even below levels seen during the Winter of Discontent and the global financial crisis. He urged London’s media, including the incoming BBC director general Matt Brittin, to adopt a more pro-business narrative and counter the perception that ambition is a “dirty word.”

“People assume that if you’re a successful founder or investor, it’s only a matter of time before you’re on a plane to the US or Milan,” Hoberman said. “A narrative of decline has gripped this country. We need to create the culture and the infrastructure to help more British start-ups and scale-ups become global champions.”

Hoberman’s personal experience mirrors the broader trend: all three of his children have left the UK for better opportunities abroad, drawn by what he calls the “American Dream.” While he is happy for them to pursue their ambitions, he stressed the need for a “British Dream” to lure talent back. “We need more ambition, more celebration of success, and far less schadenfreude,” he said. “The opportunities are there to be seized. And we are running out of time.”

Government Responses and Policy Shifts

The UK government has recently introduced reforms to its immigration system, including the Scale-up Worker visa, designed to attract skilled international talent to fast-growing British businesses. However, critics argue that these measures are not enough to address the broader challenges of retaining and attracting entrepreneurial talent. The Migration Advisory Committee is currently reviewing how the immigration system can best attract global talent, with a call for evidence running until May 2026.

While the government has signaled a commitment to fast-tracking visas for AI talent and reimburse visa fees to make the UK more attractive to international professionals, the overall direction of immigration policy remains a subject of debate. The Labour Party, now in government, has faced criticism from the startup community for tightening migration rules at a time when immigrant founders are driving innovation and growth.

Creating a Culture of Ambition

Hoberman’s call for a cultural shift extends beyond policy changes. He advocates for a more optimistic and supportive environment for entrepreneurs, one that celebrates success and reduces the stigma around ambition. “We need to build a better future for the UK,” he said. “That means creating the conditions where founders and investors can thrive, not just survive.”

As the UK seeks to rejuvenate its economy and compete on the global stage, the debate over immigration and entrepreneurship will remain central. Hoberman’s speech at the City AM Awards serves as a timely reminder of the vital role international talent plays in shaping the nation’s economic future.