UK advantage: the best place to start (and scale) a business

By Mark Huxley, Chairman of the Financial Services Group of Livery Companies

The City of London Corporation recently launched its Global Offer to Business 2026 report, setting out a confident vision for the UK as a world-leading international financial centre. It is a bold statement of intent. The report uses 102 independent, publicly available metrics to evidence the leading role that London and the UK play in the global financial system. We welcome the report at the Financial Services Group (FSG). As industry practitioners, the Members of the Financial Services Livery Group see London’s competitive advantage in our roles every day. 

But alongside experience, our own extensive analysis backs the confidence that the City of London’s report provides. The FSG 2025 Asset Register and Opportunity Matrix, produced by our individual members are a comprehensive stock-take of exactly what our Livery Companies and their industries bring to the table. Their conclusions are undeniable: the UK isn’t just "open for business" - it is the undisputed home of the entrepreneur in Europe. Here is why we are so optimistic.

We Are Europe’s Entrepreneurial Engine

The headline numbers are impressive, but it is the human ambition behind them that is truly exciting. Our Asset Register clearly demonstrates that the UK is a genuine “go to” destination for entrepreneurial talent in Europe.

This isn't just about established players; it is about a cultural shift. We are seeing a surge in homegrown drive, particularly among the younger generation. In fact, 61% of Gen Z accountants in the UK now aim to be their own boss - nearly double the rate of other age groups.

We have built the ecosystem to support them. The UK boasts a mature Venture Capital market and government-backed initiatives like SEIS and EIS that are the envy of our international neighbours. This support network has helped create a trillion pound plus economy - more than double the combined value of Germany’s and France’s tech sectors.

A Launchpad for Innovation

We are not just creating companies; we are creating category leaders. The UK is currently home to 71 unicorns.

This entrepreneurial energy is thriving in the sectors that matter most:

• Deep Tech & AI: we are the #1 hub in Europe for Deep Tech investment, with £4.2bn in funding in 2024 alone.
• Fintech: London remains the undisputed capital, attracting 94% of the UK’s Fintech investment.
• Space Economy: we are building a £1.3tn global opportunity here, with the UK space industry already underpinning £370bn of UK GDP.

The gold standard in professional support

Entrepreneurs need more than just ideas; they need a safety net of expertise. This is where the UK’s historic strengths as a business ecosystem become a modern competitive advantage.

Our register highlights that the UK legal sector underpins 40% of the world’s cross-border transactions. When a start-up scales globally, they do it on English law. Similarly, we remain the global #1 for Underwriting, capable of insuring complex new risks that other markets do not have the capability to support. This deep reservoir of professional talent provides the stability that high-growth businesses need to take risks.

The Opportunity: Unlocking the Next Level

Of course, we are not resting on our laurels. We at the FSG believe that our greatest potential lies in unlocking institutional capital to fuel high-growth sectors like deep tech and AI, while simultaneously building a robust, nationwide pipeline of homegrown talent. To seize this advantage, our priority actions focus on championing agile, pro-growth regulation, leading the global charge in sustainable finance, and launching platforms to aggressively export our world-class professional expertise to the globe.

We see a massive opportunity to "build the talent pool" by connecting universities with industry through pitch competitions and mentorships. There is also huge potential in strengthening Regional Innovation Hubs to ensure that the next great breakthrough can happen anywhere in the UK, not just in London.

Most importantly, we have the chance to unlock institutional capital-pension funds and insurers to fuel our scale-ups. The City of London has led the Mansion House Accord which is set to boost UK growth company investment by £25bn by 2030. This work is being taking forward by a delivery group for the Accord. Sterling 20 sees twenty of Britain’s largest pension providers and insurers join a new partnership coordinated with Government and the City of London Corporation to invest billions into UK infrastructure, innovation and renewable energy. 

These are great initiatives, and more can be done. If we can bridge the gap between our world-class research and commercial products,; it will power up our ability to be both an incubator for ideas and the global factory for future industries.

The foundations are rock solid. The entrepreneurial spirit is alive and kicking. The future is ours to build.
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About the Author 
Mark Huxley is the Chair of the Financial Services Group of Livery Companies. Mark is a Past Master of the Worshipful Company of Entrepreneurs, Chairman, NED, Advisor and Mentor.

The Financial Services Group of Livery Companies was founded in 2006 to coordinate the efforts of its livery members in supporting the Lord or Lady Mayor, the Court of Aldermen and the City of London Corporation in promoting the City of London financial and business services sector.

Connect with the Financial Services Group of Livery Companies on LinkedIn to see how we are championing professional excellence in the City.