Britain’s long-term economic growth depends not only on public infrastructure and business investment but also on expanding individual participation in investing, according to Matt Benchere, Chief Executive Officer of Hargreaves Lansdown.

In response to Paul Johnson’s recent commentary highlighting the importance of long-term investments to address the country’s low growth, Benchere emphasized the need to broaden access to investment opportunities beyond the wealthy. He argued that investing should be viewed as a pathway to building wealth rather than an exclusive activity for those already financially well-off.

Benchere called for greater efforts to increase public confidence, financial literacy, and access to investment vehicles such as pensions and tax-advantaged individual savings accounts. He noted that encouraging more individuals to invest not only enhances their personal financial security but also helps distribute the benefits of economic growth more widely across society.

According to Benchere, when households invest, they provide capital that supports business expansion and innovation. This, in turn, drives productivity gains, increased economic output, and job creation. Higher productivity leads to better products and services, which generate investment returns and help attract further capital, creating a reinforcing cycle of growth.

While recognizing that household investment cannot replace the role of government infrastructure projects or corporate long-term planning, Benchere stressed that both are essential components for a prosperous future. He concluded that promoting wider participation in investment today is crucial to enabling a wealthier Britain tomorrow.