UK Sees Record Investment in Indian-Owned Businesses: New Report

Indian Investment in the UK Surges to a Record High

The number of Indian-owned companies in the UK has seen a significant increase, rising by nearly 60 per cent year-on-year to reach 1,912. This marks a substantial growth from the 1,197 Indian-owned firms generating around 72.14 billion pounds in 2025. The combined turnover of these companies has reached 105.77 billion pounds, according to the 'India Meets Britain Tracker 2026'.

The latest edition of the annual Grant Thornton-led analysis of Indian investment and economic impact in the UK was launched by Indian High Commissioner to the UK P. Kumaran in London on Thursday. The 2026 Tracker reflects a significant increase in employee numbers from 126,720 last year to 203,549.

The India-UK relationship is now defined by opportunity, according to P. Kumaran. India brings scale, growth, talent, and ambition, while the United Kingdom brings innovation, expertise, finance, and global leadership across advanced sectors. Together, they have the chance to build one of the defining economic partnerships of the coming decades.

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The 2026 Tracker notes that bilateral trade between India and the UK rose to 47.4 billion pounds in 2025, an 11.7 per cent year-on-year increase during the year which marked the signing of the India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA). With CETA now in place, the India-UK corridor is poised for unprecedented growth, creating value for both economies and cementing a long-term partnership.

Anuj Chande, Grant Thornton Partner and Head of South Asia Business Group, said that the India-UK corridor is not just a trade relationship; it is a strategic partnership leveraging innovation, resilience, and shared ambitions. With nearly all Indian mid-market firms planning UK expansion and UK businesses eyeing India for growth, this collaboration is set to thrive in the coming years across technology, clean energy, and advanced manufacturing.

The implementation of CETA is expected to inject further momentum into bilateral trade and investment ties once it takes effect in the coming months. This year's Tracker comes at a landmark moment in the UK-India relationship, with the signing of CETA in 2025 marking a historic reset.

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The report highlights that 66 companies reported annual revenue growth of at least 10 per cent and an average growth rate of 61 per cent. According to the latest analysis of the Indian company footprint across the UK, technology, media and telecom (TMT) dominated in terms of sector focus, followed by manufacturing and pharmaceuticals. London held on to its pole position as the favourite destination, hosting 38 per cent of Indian businesses, but growth outside the UK capital continued its steady rise.

However, the report also flags challenges such as rising operational costs, regulatory complexities and competition faced by Indian companies in the UK. Despite these challenges, the country's stable legal and financial systems, coupled with its focus on clean energy and digital technology, offer significant long-term opportunities for further Indian expansion pathways.