Half of UK bosses, based in an urban environment, are dreaming of escaping the rat race to find their own small slice of rural happiness, a study finds.

The research, conducted on behalf of investment body Cornwall Pure Business, found that 15 per cent of UK owners, managers and senior executives want to move all or part of their existing business to a less urban location.

A further fifth want to work for their own or another organisation in the countryside and 14 per cent have a desire to set up their own new business far away from a city environment.

What's more, nearly two thirds of those seriously considering relocation plan to make their dream a reality in the short term.

And according to the survey, the favoured location for a new or relocated business venture would be a village in the countryside.

The South West scored particularly well as the "dream business location" with the top spot taken by Cornwall (13 per cent), closely followed by Devon (11 per cent).

The Scottish Highlands also fared well taking third place, with 10 per cent of the vote.

The least popular places for business relocation are the Norfolk Broads (2 per cent), followed by Wales/West Pembrokeshire (3 per cent) and the Yorkshire Dales (5 per cent).

The findings reflect a recent Halifax survey which shows the South West is the most popular destination for internal migration, with more than 300,000 people relocating to the region from other parts of the UK between 1995 and 2005, boosting the region's population by 6 per cent.

Sir John Banham, Johnson Matthey Plc: "It's very encouraging that so many businesses are considering the benefits of working in less urban environments."

The Cornwall Pure Business survey found that the key motivators for wanting to start a "new life in the country" are creating a better environment for family, attaining a better work-life balance and reducing commuting time.

The study also highlighted reasons why so many are yet to go ahead with a move.

The main barriers to relocation to a less urban environment were identified as raising the necessary finance, a perceived lack of access to technology, impact on current employees and the belief that a move would have a negative impact on the business' bottom line.

Sir John Banham, chairman of specialty chemicals company Johnson Matthey Plc, was born in the South West, and is championing the growth of new business in the rural economy.

He said: "It's very encouraging that so many businesses are considering the benefits of working in less urban environments.

"I have spent some years mentoring growing businesses in Cornwall and the spirit of innovation that exists in the local business community demonstrates that you don't need a city postcode to be a success.

"Economically, the business landscape of the UK is changing. With the growth of a more knowledge-based economy and developments in technology many businesses are no longer limited geographically by infrastructure and convenience to customers.

"Instead, they are able to locate to areas that better suit their employees and reap dividends such as increased staff loyalty and better quality of life."

The areas most people would like to relocate from are the London (44 per cent), followed by the North West, the East of England and Northern Ireland (each with 36 per cent) and the West Midlands (33 per cent).

The article UK bosses keen to quit rat race originally appeared on 999 Today