UK Market
Business investment in the UK
The UK is Europe’s number one destination for inward investment. Each year hundreds of companies from all over the world come to the UK to expand their international market share and increase their competitive advantage.
UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) is the UK Government’s international business development organisation. We support overseas companies doing business in the UK and help them to realise their growth potential.
By drawing on the experience of UKTI’s staff and extensive support networks your company can expand overseas more quickly, efficiently and confidently than you could by going it alone.
Whether you’re looking to set up in the UK for the first time, expand your existing UK business, or find a UK company to form a partnership, visit UKTI’s How we help businesses section and explore the range of services available to support you.
UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) is the UK Government’s international business development organisation. We support overseas companies doing business in the UK and help them to realise their growth potential.
By drawing on the experience of UKTI’s staff and extensive support networks your company can expand overseas more quickly, efficiently and confidently than you could by going it alone.
Whether you’re looking to set up in the UK for the first time, expand your existing UK business, or find a UK company to form a partnership, visit UKTI’s How we help businesses section and explore the range of services available to support you.
Investing in the UK
Join the world's most successful businesses in the No.1 investment location in Europe
The UK attracts more investment than any other country in Europe and, in the world, are second only to the USA. The UK offers:
- fast, easy access to the EU Single Market;
- a workforce, which is skilled and adaptable;
- lowest utilities costs in the EU;
- regulatory environment designed to encourage growth and profits;
- low corporate and personal taxation;
- world-class research, design and development
UK Trade & Investment is the UK's principal investment agency covering England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. It offers:
- a free and confidential service to overseas-owned companies looking to establish a presence in the UK;
- a professional project management service;
- a free location finding service;
- a service that saves you valuable management time and costs.
- Working with its UK network partners, UK Trade & Investment can provide your company with all the information you need about starting or expanding a business in the UK.
The UK Trade & Investment website provides online information and support for overseas owned companies considering investing in the UK. Inward Investment sub-site is also help companies realise their international business potential through knowledge transfer, and on-going partnership support.
Locating your business in the UK
Research by the World Bank shows that it takes just 13 days to set up a business in the UK compared to the European average of 32 days. It ranks the UK first in Europe and sixth in the world as a location for running a business.
The UK’s open, transparent and business-friendly system makes it easy to start up a new company and there are no separate rules for foreign business entities. For full details on registering a UK company or other business structure visit the UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) site.
If you’re looking for a suitable location for your business, the UKTI website has information on the 12 UK investment regions including their comparative business strengths. You’ll also find contact details for the regional development agencies (RDAs) that provide business support in each region of the UK.
You can get information on the wide variety of commercial property options available in the UK – from affordable office space to specialist science park and business incubator facilities.
The UK’s open, transparent and business-friendly system makes it easy to start up a new company and there are no separate rules for foreign business entities. For full details on registering a UK company or other business structure visit the UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) site.
If you’re looking for a suitable location for your business, the UKTI website has information on the 12 UK investment regions including their comparative business strengths. You’ll also find contact details for the regional development agencies (RDAs) that provide business support in each region of the UK.
You can get information on the wide variety of commercial property options available in the UK – from affordable office space to specialist science park and business incubator facilities.
UK business environment
The UK’s economic prosperity, political stability and business-friendly regulation make it a location of choice for investors from around the world. With the world-leading financial services hub of London at its heart, the UK is a magnet for global business. It’s also a gateway to Europe with the world’s single largest market – the European Union – on its doorstep.
Use the following links to explore key aspects of the UK business environment on the UK Trade & Investment website.
The UK business environment remains strong with one of the highest GDP growth rates in Europe – a major attraction for expanding your business here.
The UK offers a competitive tax environment with lower corporate tax rates than many key competitors and one of the lowest personal tax rates in the EU.
Companies based in the UK benefit from business-friendly regulation with government targets to reduce the burden of regulation on businesses even further.
The UK’s labour environment and skills base make it easy for companies in all sectors to source high-quality staff.
There are a wide variety of commercial property options available in the UK – from affordable office space to specialist science park and business incubator facilities.
Use the following links to explore key aspects of the UK business environment on the UK Trade & Investment website.
The UK business environment remains strong with one of the highest GDP growth rates in Europe – a major attraction for expanding your business here.
The UK offers a competitive tax environment with lower corporate tax rates than many key competitors and one of the lowest personal tax rates in the EU.
Companies based in the UK benefit from business-friendly regulation with government targets to reduce the burden of regulation on businesses even further.
The UK’s labour environment and skills base make it easy for companies in all sectors to source high-quality staff.
There are a wide variety of commercial property options available in the UK – from affordable office space to specialist science park and business incubator facilities.
Science and innovation
The UK has a global reputation as an innovative, knowledge-based economy. Around two-thirds of all companies coming to the UK are engaged in some kind of scientific R&D activity.
Companies that undertake R&D in the UK have access to world-class academic and research resources. The UK’s academic institutions are among the best in the world and include the world’s two top universities for science and four of Europe’s top five universities overall.
Find more information on undertaking research & development in the UK on the UKTI website.
Companies that undertake R&D in the UK have access to world-class academic and research resources. The UK’s academic institutions are among the best in the world and include the world’s two top universities for science and four of Europe’s top five universities overall.
Find more information on undertaking research & development in the UK on the UKTI website.
Sword Group chooses UK for R&D centre
A new research centre in Wales is set to play a key part in the growth of international French IT company Sword. Read Sword’s case study on the UKTI website.
London 2012 opportunities
In 2012 London plays host to the Olympic Games. Around 7,000 direct contracts are available to businesses. In total this will create supply chains of around 75,000 opportunities.
To find out how your business could get involved and for the latest contracts available visit the London 2012 Business Network.
Laws, regulations and standards
Blank Article 4b(viii) - Ready for Population
The Government attaches particular importance to better regulation and is committed to reducing the burden of regulation on business by 25% by 2010.
The Department for Business Enterprise & Regulatory Reform (BERR), through the Better Regulation Executive, leads on better regulation across Government. Reviews and evaluation of legislation are of key importance to the Department in developing policy and legislation.
UK Trade & Investment’s role is a proactive one of facilitating overseas investment in the UK and enabling domestic business to expand confidently overseas. As the UK Government’s international business development organisation, we help companies internationalise. Our services bring together a network of business sector specialists and support teams in British Embassies and posts all around the world.