Starting your journey
Welcome to our Doing Business Guide, designed specifically for overseas business leaders, entrepreneurs and investors looking to enter the UK for the first time.
Chairman's welcome
The UK has consistently attracted considerable investment
from overseas and has a long and successful history of trade
with the rest of the world. The importance of foreign
investment into the UK has never been more critical as the
UK focuses on building a vibrant and sustainable economy in
a Post Brexit world.
Perspectives for investing into the UK
The UK is the number one destination for inward investment in Europe and remains a top investment destination globally, with an open, liberal economy, flexible and dynamic labour market, business-friendly taxation and regulation and strong, transparent rule of law...
The UK as a business hub
The use of the UK as a hub location is becoming increasingly
popular amongst global businesses and we are seeing a growing
number of businesses centralising functions in the UK. Two main
factors, the strong business environment and a relatively stable
and competitive tax regime help draw these businesses to the UK.
Family Businesses in the UK
Family Businesses are the oldest and most common type of economic organisation around the world. In the UK, family businesses account for a quarter of the GDP and contributed £125 billion in taxes in 2014.
Frequently asked questions to entering the UK
Common questions to consider.
What type of legal presence do I require?
Choice of entity | UK establishment | Private limited company | Limited Liability Partnerships
How do I establish the entity?
Legal requirements | Is my corporate name available? | What are my duties as a director? | Companies Act 2006 | Pathfinder
What tax issues do I need to consider?
Corporation tax | Patent box | Developing and managing Intellectual Property in the UK | Research and Development | Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS) - UK tax incentive for investment in certain trading companies | VAT | Personal taxation | Tax Transparency
How do I deal with my employees?
Employment contracts | Employee benefits | Immigration | Human rights and gender diversity
What regulatory matters do I need to consider?
The regulatory environment | What are the accounting and audit requirements? | Consumer credit | Money Laundering Regulations 2017 | Financial Sanctions | Data protection | Bribery Act 2010 | EU and UK competition rules | Financial Services
How do I close a UK business?
Solvent winding up | Insolvent winding up
What other factors impact my 'doing business in the UK'?
Bank account set-up | Business insurances | Acquiring property | Exchange control | Customs and international trade | Excise duty | Grants | Intellectual property | Sustainability
How do I acquire a business in the UK?
General overview | Acquiring a UK public company | Acquiring a private company or business
How do I list on a UK stock exchange?
Listing on a UK stock exchange