top US companies in the UK as a place to do business, with a one-third claiming confidence at the highest level, while up to 60 per cent were said they would increase investment in the island nation. The study, which included 68 large US businesses with more than 275,000 employees in the UK, spanned businesses from several sectors from financial services to technology to manufacturing and telecommunications.
According to experts United Kingdom’s strong talent base, along with a supportive business environment and time zone advantages makes the country an ideal jumping-off point American businesses’ operations outside the UK. “The UK is a large and dynamic economy with outstanding regulatory and educational systems,” Dan Glaser, president & CEO of Marsh McLennan, which participated in the survey said. “Top talent from around the world want to work and live in Britain.”
Nevertheless, US businesses with large operations in the UK have raised concerns about both Brexit and trade relations between London and Washington. In terms of UK’s withdrawal from the EU, the main worries were in relation to the risk of political tension, and other practical issues such as supply chain problems, regulatory barriers and tariffs. According to the survey, 17 per cent of the participants revealed that they had relocated their UK operations to the EU.
Nevertheless, a majority of US investors, particularly involved in the financial sector continue to carryout operations in the UK following the country’s exit from the EU, mainly owing to the belief that London will remain a hub for the business community.
