Finding new customers is the top priority for small and medium businesses this year, according to the latest research by Santander Corporate and Commercial Bank (SCCB).

When asked about pressing business matters in 2015, just over three-fifths said they wanted to find additional customers.

In good news for the jobs market, just over half said they wanted to increase company headcount, while conversely about the same number said cutting costs would be important this year.

Marcelino Castrillo, head of SME at SCCB, said: “It is great to see that expansion is a key theme for UK businesses in 2015, particularly with regards to employing more staff.

“This is great news for the UK economy as the health of the country’s small and medium-sized businesses significantly affects us all.

Other objectives outlined in the research included buying new equipment, developing new products and finding new suppliers.

The survey also asked business owners to rate themselves in terms of their approach to work. Those describing themselves as highly ambitious were more focused on creating new customers and jobs.

These businesses were also more likely to export products in international markets, while just under a quarter said they planned to move deeper into international markets in the next 12 months.

Castrillo added: “It is also interesting to note that firms that see themselves as highly ambitious are eager to expand, grow and export even more, a good indication of what drives our more successful businesses."

The report findings chime with other data on business sentiment in the UK. Successive reports show business confidence is high, while expansion plans and hiring intentions are also positive.

Falling unemployment and swelling business numbers will be a key area for the Conservative party in the run-up to the May election, while Labour will say the economic upturn is not spread equally.