London’s excellence in financial and business services makes the UK an ideal location for international activity. The UK has consistently attracted more headquarter operations than any other location in Europe. Furthermore, nearly 40 per cent of the world’s currency exchanges take place in the UK4.

The UK’s dynamism is not limited to financial services. Car manufacturers are performing strongly, the UK has attracted major R&D investments from a range of the world’s top life sciences companies, and ‘Tech City’ in East London is fostering innovation in the high-growth information technology sector.

The UK acts as the hub of the world’s trading nations; from American markets to the west and Asian markets to the east, and as a gateway to Europe. In 2012, Chinese investment into the UK came through a diverse range of sectors, including utilities, aviation, food and clothing.

As the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games demonstrated, the UK takes great pride in offering a warm welcome to all and the opportunity to compete against the best in the world – in business as well as sport.