Headquarters

A third of the world’s biggest firms have their HQ in London

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10 key facts about London as a location for your headquarters.

European no.1 for access to markets: London was voted the top city in 2006 for easy access to markets, qualified staff, external and internal transport links, telecommunications, availability of office space and languages spoken [1].
Vast customer base: The largest single market in the world [2] - the European Union’s 500 million people - live on London’s doorstep.
Headquarters magnet: The most influential decision-makers work in London, from global corporations and trade associations to international and national politics. More FT Global 500 companies have their headquarters in London than any other city in the world, and nearly a third of all foreign exchange transactions are undertaken here [3].
Centre of influence: London is home to many of the world’s key organisations including the London Stock Exchange, The London International Financial Futures Exchange, ICE Futures, The London Metals Exchange, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, Lloyds of London, The International Maritime Organisation and The European Medicines Evaluation Agency.
Deep talent pool: London's workforce is the most highly-qualified in the UK; one in three workers has a university degree [4]. Managers, professionals and technical staff account for almost half of those employed in London [5].
Vast property choice: London boasts a wide choice of size and price including the luxury of Mayfair, large spaces in Canary Wharf, campus-style facilities in business parks and serviced offices in the City.
Europe’s best telecommunications: London is one of the best-wired global cities and is ranked as the best city in Europe for the ‘quality of its telecoms’ [6]. And was voted the most internationally accessible city in 2006 [7].
World-class education and culture: London’s many international schools, places of worship and community groups help relocation go smoothly. The city boasts some of the world’s best restaurants, theatres, bars, cinemas, nightclubs, art galleries and museums.
Favourable tax system: The UK offers attractive tax regimes to companies and senior executives including some of the lowest personal tax rates in Europe and an exceptionally attractive regime for executive ‘non domiciled’ in the UK. The UK’s highest personal tax rate of 40% is lower than in many other European countries. UK corporation tax of 30% [8] is one of the lowest in Europe.
Excellent transport links: London is one of the best connected cities in the world with five international airports flying direct to 530 destinations, accessing 92% of the world's GDP [9].

[1] Cushman and Wakefield Healey and Baker European Cities Monitor, 2006
[2] Eurostat, European Commission website 2006
[3] London’s Place in the UK Economy 2006-07 (2006) Corporation of London & Oxford Economic Forecasting for City of London
[4] NOMIS Labour Force Survey December 2005, data from ONS
[5] NOMIS Labour Force Survey December 2005, data from ONS
[6] Cushman & Wakefield Healey & Baker European Cities Monitor, 2005
[7] Cushman and Wakefield Healey and Baker European Cities Monitor, 2006
[8] HM revenue & Customs website 2007
[9] UK Airport Statistics Annual 2006, Civil Aviation Authority and World Bank Total GDP 2000