Investing
THE TOP 6 UK INDUSTRIES FOR FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT
Published by Gbaf News
Posted on April 25, 2017
4 min readLast updated: January 21, 2026
Global Banking & Finance Review®
Company
Published by Gbaf News
Posted on April 25, 2017
4 min readLast updated: January 21, 2026
It has been reported investors now own £483 billion pounds of commercial property in the UK, representing 55% of the combined total. Not only is this the highest value to date, but it exceeds the previous peak reached prior to the global financial crisis in 2008.
Previously, UK institutions such as insurance companies and pension funds were the biggest direct investors; now, they account for just a fifth of the total, down from a quarter in 2005.
In contrast, foreign investment in commercial property has increased rapidly over the last decade and overseas investors currently own 28% of UK commercial property – typically held as investments.
Savoystewart.co.uk decided to consider exactly which industries are benefiting the most from this surplus of foreign investment, in terms of job creation specifically. In fact, data collated from the ‘Department for International Trade’ report (first published 30th August 2016) by Gov.uk dictates 2,213 FDI inward investment projects were secured in 2015 to 2016–altogether generating 116,000 jobs–the second highest number on record.
The same year, almost 1,600 new jobs were created per week by FDI and, since 2010, nearly 390,000 new jobs have subsequently been created here in the UK. The USA remains the UK’s largest source of inward investment; providing 570 projects. This was followed by China (including Hong Kong) with 156 and India with 140.
Savoy Stewart director, Darren Best comments:
“There’s no doubt that we are in a dubious time: a lot is set to change in 2017, and the free fall we are all experiencing post-Brexit is certainly chaotic, particularly in terms of business. However, from analysing recent data, I am confident the UK will remain a key market – just as it ever was. Our ties with investors all over the world remain interwoven and strong; we should embrace change, reaffirm our partnerships and focus on all that we have to offer.”
It has been reported investors now own £483 billion pounds of commercial property in the UK, representing 55% of the combined total. Not only is this the highest value to date, but it exceeds the previous peak reached prior to the global financial crisis in 2008.
Previously, UK institutions such as insurance companies and pension funds were the biggest direct investors; now, they account for just a fifth of the total, down from a quarter in 2005.
In contrast, foreign investment in commercial property has increased rapidly over the last decade and overseas investors currently own 28% of UK commercial property – typically held as investments.
Savoystewart.co.uk decided to consider exactly which industries are benefiting the most from this surplus of foreign investment, in terms of job creation specifically. In fact, data collated from the ‘Department for International Trade’ report (first published 30th August 2016) by Gov.uk dictates 2,213 FDI inward investment projects were secured in 2015 to 2016–altogether generating 116,000 jobs–the second highest number on record.
The same year, almost 1,600 new jobs were created per week by FDI and, since 2010, nearly 390,000 new jobs have subsequently been created here in the UK. The USA remains the UK’s largest source of inward investment; providing 570 projects. This was followed by China (including Hong Kong) with 156 and India with 140.
Savoy Stewart director, Darren Best comments:
“There’s no doubt that we are in a dubious time: a lot is set to change in 2017, and the free fall we are all experiencing post-Brexit is certainly chaotic, particularly in terms of business. However, from analysing recent data, I am confident the UK will remain a key market – just as it ever was. Our ties with investors all over the world remain interwoven and strong; we should embrace change, reaffirm our partnerships and focus on all that we have to offer.”
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