Professional and Business Services
The UK’s Professional and Business Services sector is a cornerstone of the global economy, offering world-class expertise across accountancy, consultancy, legal services, and more. Our 10-year plan has a clear vision: by 2035, the UK will be the world’s most trusted advisor to global industry, with the most dynamic and productive sector and remaining the world’s second largest exporter of professional and business services. Innovation is at the heart of this vision, with harnessing AI and digital innovation key to increasing business investment and ensuring that the UK continues to be a global leader not follower. The sector contributed £300 billion to the UK economy in 2024.
Why the UK for Professional and Business Services?
A global centre for expertise
The UK is home to the ‘Big 4’ advisory service firms and 7 of the world’s largest 20 law firms. As Europe’s largest legal services market, the UK sets the global standard for quality and innovation.
A magnet for international trade
With £183 billion in exports in 2024, the UK is the second-largest global exporter of Professional and Business Services in the world.
A highly skilled talent pipeline
The UK’s universities produce a steady stream of business-ready graduates - 38% of all graduates in 2023/24 were qualified in business, mathematics, computing, law and architecture.
Driving innovation
Through a new technology adoption pilot programme, expert guidance and grants will be provided for SMEs with high-growth potential to help them adopt AI and digital solutions, and developing a Smart Data programme focusing initially on the property sector, to improve data sharing across the real-estate industry to spur innovative product and services development.
The PBS sector in the UK is positioned to grow by £322 billion (113%) in gross value added (GVA) by 2035
£183 billion in UK PBS exports in 2024
More than half of PBS jobs are based outside London and the South East
Expand Your Business
Start your journey
This free online service provides businesses with immediate access to tailored information and support, including:
- • Step-by-step guidance through the practical steps to setting up a UK company
- • Overview of funding, grants and financial incentives available to overseas businesses
- • Market intelligence on UK locations and salary benchmarking
- • Information on events and networks relevant to the business sector and industry
- • Guidance on how to globally scale your business from the UK and access export advice once established in the UK
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