Professional and Business Services

The UK is a global leader in professional and business services – from law, accountancy and consultancy to advertising and architecture. The sector provides 1 in 7 jobs across the UK and acts as a key enabler for other growth-driving industries. The PBS Sector Plan sets a 2035 ambition for the UK to be the world's most trusted adviser to global industry, doubling business investment to £65 billion and remaining the world's second largest exporter of professional services.

Key year-one highlights include:

  • £118 million R&D investment through UKRI driving technology adoption and AI innovation across legal, consultancy, and accountancy sectors.
  • AI Growth Labs sandbox launched, with Legal Services the first sector to participate.
  • AI Adoption Plan published and PBS AI Champion Shaheen Sayed appointed to accelerate AI adoption across the sector.
  • UK-Switzerland Services Mobility Agreement extended to 2029, allowing UK professionals to work visa-free for up to 90 days; PBS exports to Switzerland worth almost £9 billion in 2025.
  • UK-GCC trade deal delivering the most ambitious mobility commitments ever granted by the GCC to a trading partner, including guaranteed visa access and improved length of stay for UK PBS professionals.
  • Leeds Northern Square Mile backed through the Office for Investment to attract global financial and professional services firms and unlock new office space through the Leeds South Bank project.

These are not one-off decisions. They are part of a long-term plan — giving professional and business services firms the confidence to invest, hire and grow.

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Roop Singh, CEO Version 1

“The Industrial Strategy is helping create the conditions for businesses like ours to invest with confidence and bring high-value jobs to every part of the country. As demand for AI, data and cloud transformation accelerates, we’re creating 400 new roles in Belfast and continuing to expand across Birmingham, Newcastle and Edinburgh.”

Sector plan

The PBS Sector Plan sets out the joined-up decisions government is making on technology adoption, skills, growth finance and international standards — giving PBS businesses the stability they need to make long-term decisions.

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A targeted mix of support for the sector

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British Business Bank

Supporting PBS firms through the £4 billion Industrial Strategy Growth Capital programme.

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Innovate UK

Funding and support for PBS firms developing and adopting new technologies, including AI and automation.

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National Wealth Fund

We offer a range of financing tools including loans, guarantees and equity investments.

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UK Export Finance

Provides a guarantee to banks financing international buyers’ early‑stage UK services purchases.

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Support to scale and grow your business

Access a broad package of support designed to help businesses scale more quickly, at lower cost, and with greater ease, including

  • • Step-by-step guidance through the practical steps to scale your business
  • • Overview of funding, grants and financial incentives available
  • • Information on events and networks relevant to the business sector and industry

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