The UK has consistently attracted more foreign investments with HQ operations than any other location in Europe; a clear endorsement of our business-friendly regulations and thriving environment for innovation and growth.
UK Trade & Investment, member and partner of the Spanish Chamber of Commerce, is the government department that works with UK based businesses to ensure their success in international markets through exports. They also support overseas companies to look at the UK as the best place to set up or expand their business.
UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) recorded 1,773 foreign direct investment (FDI) projects landing in the UK in 2013/14, up from 1,559 in 2012/13, which supported over 111,000 jobs. UKTI and its partners supported 1,462 of those projects.
UKTI’s services
• Accessing market opportunities
Help you assess and quantify market opportunities in the UK and target the right channels for growth.
• Relationship building
Introduce you to the people and organisations that can take your business forward, including industry leaders, service suppliers and centres of research and development (R&D) excellence.
• Setting up in the UK
Help you to register your company and advise on the type of structure that suits your needs.
• Finding/expanding your UK base
Access to detailed regional and local information, helping you identify the right location for your business, and even organise visits so you can compare different options.
• Tax support
Explain how our tax system affects your business, and how to benefit from the various incentives and allowances on offer. Tax specialists can also help you compare the tax regimes of different countries.
• Visa applications
As well as advising you on how the visa system applies to your business and its staff, offering practical support throughout the application process.
• Recruiting skilled staff
Advise you on the most effective recruitment routes, using knowledge of recruitment agencies and contacts with top universities. Also direct you to government programmes and funding that support workforce training and can help maintain your long-term competitiveness.
• Accessing finance
Guide you through the many options for raising finance in the UK, including banks, business angels (high net worth individuals who provide capital for businesses), private equity and venture capital and stock exchange listing.
By working closely with all investment partners across the UK, UKTI can play to the particular strengths of individual parts of the UK. Advisers and partners can provide you with insight into market opportunities and local sector expertise, and open doors to the wider business community right across the UK. To promote the richness of this local offer to potential and existing inward investors in a “one-stop-shop”, UKTI has created a new web portal, the Local Investment Showcase.
UKTI’s partners
UKTI helps businesses to clinch the deal, but supporting UK growth is a collective effort from a network of partners:
• Two parent departments: The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS); and The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO)
• UK Export Finance
• Other Government departments
• Devolved Administration delivery Partners – Scottish Development International, Invest Northern Ireland and the Welsh Government
Investment Organisations
As part of UKTI’s partnership approach to the industrial strategy they have set up industry-led organisations for five sectors: agricultural technology, automotive, financial and professional services, life science and offshore wind. These organisations are led by figures with a wealth of industry experience, and can provide hands-on support to help you invest, expand your business in the UK and export.
The UK – home of innovative start-ups
If you are an entrepreneur leading an early-stage technology company overseas, UKTI has a great offer. Come and set up your global headquarters in the UK. UKTI’s Global Entrepreneur Programme (GEP) will help you accelerate your products and services into global markets. This support is provided by a group of internationally successful entrepreneurs – ‘dealmakers’ with expertise and a network of contacts to make things happen. GEP companies have raised approximately £1 billion of venture capital since the programme began eight years ago.
The UK also welcomes the world’s most talented graduate entrepreneurs. Under UKTI’s pioneering Sirius Programme, students and recent graduates with an early-stage business idea can apply to relocate to the UK and get support to fast-track their business from idea to reality. The package includes funding, a place on a programme to speed up commercialisation and mentoring support.
Managing relationships with existing investors
UKTI’s global network is fully focused on supporting existing investors in growing their business in the UK, and exporting into other markets. The Strategic Relationship Management (SRM) programme brings together teams from across Government to form networks led by a designated Contact Minister to work with each company. These networks help to consider the interests and priorities of the individual companies involved, and to agree a long-term strategy for generating continued economic benefit from the UK’s major wealth creators.
UKTI’s message is a clear one – the UK’s door is firmly open for business – and they are ready to make your UK investment work.
Investment Services Team
Web: www.gov.uk/ukti
Email: enquiries@ukti-invest.com
Telephone: +44 (0)207 333 5442 / +44 (0)845 539 0419
