International

Our international work

A key priority of our international strategy is to contribute to the development of a UK trade and investment policy that promotes the international growth of member firms and advances the UK’s world-leading position in financial and related professional services.

With the support of our International Financial Centre Group, we do this by:

  • Encouraging collaboration between industry, government and regulators to promote the UK’s international competitiveness, grow the UK’s share in global financial and professional services’ markets, and build new capabilities in key areas of future growth
  • Developing and maintaining bilateral trade and investment. relationships with major trading partners and countries which present significant opportunities for UK-based companies.
  • Ensuring these key relationships help deliver UK ambitions in plurilateral and multilateral contexts, influencing the future shape of the UK’s regulatory, legal and tax regimes and the approach of its regulatory and supervisory authorities; this includes the evolution of the frameworks affecting businesses as they adapt to technological, environmental and social change.
  • Developing potential opportunities for the industry in developed, emerging and niche markets.
  • Supporting key market initiatives and services trade.
  • Continuing to be a partner to UK Government efforts to deepen economic relationships with key markets such as the US, China, Switzerland, Japan and Singapore.
  • Drawing on work of the International Regulatory Strategy Group (IRSG) on international standards and multilateral/cross-cutting regulatory issues across different markets to advise the work of the Market Advisory Groups.

Scroll through the infographics below to find out more about the UK’s status as an international finance centre:

Our latest international trade and investment work:

Priorities for advancing UK-EU relations

This report sets out an industry-led agenda to strengthen UK–EU cooperation in financial and related professional services. Drawing on consultation with our members, it identifies practical steps to reduce friction, improve predictability and support shared European priorities

Islamic finance and UK economic prosperity: A vision for growth

Islamic finance one of the fastest growing segments of the global financial system. Our report highlights that although the UK has a strong track record in attracting Islamic investment, to ensure it maintains its competitive edge and status as a leading western hub in the sector, government and industry need to act with greater pace, coordination and ambition as competition from other markets intensifies.

Our latest international trade and investment news:

Press release

Call for financial and related professional services to be central to Europe's growth, competitiveness and security agenda

Blog

UK-Switzerland Free Trade Agreement marks a major milestone for services trade

Press release

UK must act now to secure its future position as the leading western hub for Islamic finance

Blog

Viet Nam International Financial Centre (VIFC): A tale of two cities

Events:

Highlights from TheCityUK International Conference 2026

Our International Conference 2026 featured keynotes and panel sessions discussing how the UK can underpin its position as a world-leading international financial centre.

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Highlights from TheCityUK and Financial Services Skills Commission Future Skills Conference 2026

Watch the highlights from the Future Skills Conference 2026, in partnership with Financial Services Skills Commission

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