The UK's offer
- Easy to do business east to west within the same working day
- Access to global capital through the London Stock Exchange, the world's most international exchange
- The world’s most internationally connected financial markets
- International thought leaders – working with financial centres across the world to shape the regulatory framework and future of the sector
- A diverse and international workforce
The UK is open and ready for business
The UK’s financial hub has an international outlook and is open to talent, investment and collaboration from across the world - which means we understand you and your business needs. London is the world’s most international and connected financial centre, providing unrivalled access to global markets. It is a magnet for workers from around the world, who make up a diverse pool of financial and professional services specialists, with deep human linkages to virtually every economy globally. More than 300 languages are spoken daily.
The UK is physically connected, with one of the most comprehensive networks of flight connections – and digitally connected with 96% superfast internet coverage. The UK offers a creative energy that spans the country’s sectors and economy, a result of its open and multi-cultural society.
We are the UK: working with you
The UK: the heart of the world's financial market
With unrivalled access to global markets, the UK is the world's most open and connected financial centre. We have an inspiring ecosystem where your business can thrive. We're here, and we're ready to do business with you.
Forex for the world
London is responsible for $3.6tn in daily forex - this is more than two fifths of worldwide trades. That is more than the next four largest centres - New York, Singapore, Hong Kong and Tokyo - combined.
- New York: $1.4tn
- Singapore: $633bn
- Hong Kong: $632bn
- Japan: $375bn
The UK's global offer to business
London and the UK’s competitive strengths in a changing world
The depth and breadth of its offer make London and the UK the leading global centre for financial and professional services. Our benchmarking research evidences the UK’s enduring competitive offer, opportunity, and future focus across all measures.
Read the full report
The deepest pools of internationally oriented capital
Home to the London Stock Exchange, the world's most international exchange, half of whose equities investors are based overseas, London is also the western centre for Islamic finance, including sukuk and Shariah-compliant exchange traded funds [ETFs]. The first western offshore centre for renminbi, it leads on renminbi clearing, offshore RMB forex transactions and RMB payments. It is also the centre for offshore Indian rupee denominated Masala Bonds.
54%
of investors in London Stock Exchange companies are international
752
international issuers, more than any other exchange
11.9%
of the global total of foreign listed companies are listed in London
£433bn
in total foreign direct investment stocks [FDI] poured in UK financial services in 2019
Ideally located
The UK's favourable timezone makes it easy to do business with major markets to both east and west within the working day
300
different languages
spoken daily in London
538,615
international students in the UK
from over 200 countries
37%
The share of international financial and professional services workers
in London
An ecosystem enabling international trade
Jointly published by The City of London Corporation and EY, this report demonstrates how the FPS ecosystem supports internationally exporting firms.
Read the full report
"London is globally recognised as one of the world’s foremost international financial centres. Its reputation has been earned over hundreds of years, supported by deep pools of talent and expertise, not just in the City, but in regional and national centres right across the UK"
"London is undisputedly one of the world's great financial centres. It is important for ING to be here to support and empower our UK-based clients and to be close to this "
ING
"As it lies right in the middle of the global day, London is the perfect location – straddling Asia and the Americas. And there are many other benefits."
Jon Vollemeare, CEO R5FX
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