Key findings
The financial and related professional services industry is a major contributor to the UK economy, employing nearly 2.5 million people—about 7.5% of the workforce—with two thirds of these jobs located outside London. Towns and cities such as Halifax and Salford have particularly high concentrations of industry employment, and regional competitiveness is evident beyond the traditional London hub. In 2023, there were over 272,000 financial and professional services businesses operating nationwide, and the sector accounted for £285 billion in gross value added, representing 12.6% of the UK’s total economic output.
Growth in the sector has been steady, with employment rising by an annual average of 1.6% over the past decade, adding 362,000 jobs. Regions such as Northern Ireland, the West Midlands, and the North West have seen the fastest employment growth. The industry also attracted significant foreign direct investment, with the South East and Yorkshire and The Humber leading in FDI inflows.
The spread of the industry
across the country
Click on a region or nation in the map below to find out how financial and related professional services impacts each area: