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The UK's offer

  • The UK is the largest centre for asset management outside the US
  • £11tn of assets under management
  • Pioneers of sustainable and responsible investing – a key future trend for global asset managers and asset owners
  • A truly international market: 44% of assets under management are managed for overseas investors
  • In 2020, 25% of the world’s cross-border IPO capital was raised in London
  • 11.9% of the global foreign listed companies are listed in London

Global Investment Futures

The UK is a world-leading investment management centre. We are the best place to do business, the best place to connect to global talent and global markets, and the best place to invest in a greener future.  

Our skills and expertise, strength in sustainable investment and green finance, and our pioneering fintech sector, means that the UK has a strong offer for international investment managers and asset owners.  

The City of London Corporation, the Department for International Trade and the Investment Association have launched Global Investment Futures, an international campaign to promote and support the UK’s leading investment management offer.  

The campaign is also supported by KPMG.

If you would like to be kept up to date with the Global Investment Futures campaign activities, please get in touch.

 

Why the UK?

The UK remains one of the largest, most diverse, and globally connected centres of financial services in the world. It is home to a leading investment management centre and supporting ecosystem that have developed over many years.

It is the second largest investment management centre in the world, accounting for approximately 15% of global assets under management (AUM), outranking the next three largest European countries combined. Assets are managed for clients at home and overseas, and a large number of overseas investors already operate offices in London and other cities.

In the UK, asset owners and managers have access to a large market, world-class talent, and a thriving professional services ecosystem. London is one of the world's few truly global cities, a place that celebrates diversity and incubates innovation. 

Whether you are looking for investment opportunities, or you are looking to expand your overseas footprint, the UK has an extremely compelling proposition, and we welcome you.

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The best place to do business

The UK is a trusted place to do business with established centres of excellence, deep talent pools and real liveability factor

The best place to do business
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The best place to connect to global markets and talent

The UK has an unrivalled position globally across all dimensions –markets, people, language, time zone and travel connectivity

The best place to connect to global markets and talent
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The best place to invest in a greener future

The UK has a proven track record for scaling innovative ecosystems, and has the investment management expertise to finance the global greener future

The best place to invest in a greener future

 

The UK's core offering

 

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An investment powerhouse...

• The UK is the largest investment management centre in Europe, with a market share of 37% - and continues to rapidly grow

• AUM in the UK grew by 18.6% between 2019 and 2020, outstripping the 14.5% global average growth of AUM

• Similarly, inward FDI stock increased from $2.1tn to $2.2tn (second highest in the world) confirming the UK as a leading FDI destination 

 
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A gateway to the world...

• 44% of the UK’s total assets managed are managed on behalf of overseas clients

• Totalling more than $3.3tn at the end of 2020, the UK’s outstanding value of international bonds was the largest in the world 

•  99% of the world’s business activity takes place in locations in time zones that overlap with the UK’s working day
Decorative icon representing UK Green investment opportunities

 

A pioneer for innovation in financial services…

• London ranked second highest fintech ecosystem on the Global Fintech Index

• The London Stock Exchange was the first major exchange to launch a green bond segment, and a green economy classification for equities

• More than 80 newly launched green, ethical, and alternative energy funds in the UK in 2020 – £21bn in the UK versus £12bn in Japan and £6bn in France

 
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A mixing pot of global talent

• The UK remains a top hub for global talent. With 4 of the world’s top ten universities, it attracts foreign students to the UK creating an unparalleled pipeline of global talent.

• The UK’s graduate visa scheme allows international students to stay in the country for at least two years after graduation to work or look for work

• 42% of all graduates from UK Universities graduate from business, mathematics or information technology

How we will support you

  • Access to market opportunities and introductions to industry specialists
  • Networking opportunities to interact with global events and the Asset Management ecosystem in the UK (including managers, advisers, and senior VIPs) 
  • Facilitating introductions with local UK organisations and building bespoke programmes for visiting Asset Owners and Asset Managers
  • Advice on setting up in the UK and selecting the best market location
  • Guidance and support on navigating the UK’s regulatory and tax frameworks including FCA Asset Management authorisation hub
  • Opportunity for International membership of the Investment Association
  • To find out more about how we can support you, or if you would like to be kept up to date with the Global Investment Futures campaign, please let us know below. 
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"Our position at the crossroads of Europe’s biggest financial and tech sectors make us one of the globe’s foremost hubs for innovation. Our unique combination of time zone, language, legal system, global talent, and financial services ecosystem which makes us truly a gateway to global capital and advice."

Alderman Vincent Keaveny Lord Mayor of the City of London

"London will always be one of the world's leading financial centres. It is a city of global talent with a highly skilled workforce. Particularly for asset management, London is one of the leading centres worldwide, if not the leading centre worldwide."

Roger Miners, Global CMO & Chief Executive Officer BNP Paribas Asset Management

"The UK is the home of the world’s leading investment managers. From global firms to specialist boutiques, the industry has deep expertise across all asset classes and markets. The industry is pioneering innovation in a market with a global outlook, high standards for stewardship, conducive regulation and a culture that is diverse and rich in talent – and where people are focused on client needs. "

Chris Cummings Chief Executive of the Investment Association

"The benefits of an on the ground presence in London have certainly been realised – access to talent, increased investment opportunities, and being part of a mature and substantial investment and financial ecosystem. "

Daniel Moloney, Head of Investments, International AustralianSuper