23rd January 2017 London, UK
The UK is number one for inward investment
Now is the time to Invest in GREAT Britain is the clear message that the Department for International Trade set out in their new marketing campaign, launching this week. As the number one destination for inward investment, the campaign will use exciting and little known facts about the UK to demonstrate why so many overseas organisations want to do business here. The campaign will target small to medium sized companies from around the world, who are looking to expand or set up a European hub, via digital, sector-focused marketing.
Here, in our first guest blog, Deloitte UK Senior Partner and Chief Executive David Sproul outlines why he is a proud supporter of the Invest in GREAT Britain campaign.
“Becoming an advocate for the Invest in GREAT Britain campaign has been an easy decision for me. Now more than ever it’s important to demonstrate how attractive and competitive the UK is as a destination for international business. We are an outward-looking nation that champions free trade and supports private enterprise. For organisations around the world that are looking to grow, the UK really is a land of opportunity.
We have a culture of creativity and are one of the most technologically advanced countries in the world. This powerful combination means we are leading the way in innovation. Fintech is just one great example of this, where the UK is regarded as global hub for one the hottest areas of emerging technology. For businesses at the cutting edge of science and technology, there are a wide range incentives available to support R&D. Our incredible pool of talent is also a key strength and continuing to attract the brightest and best is crucial for our nation’s future success.
At Deloitte we work across a very broad range of industries with offices throughout the UK’s major cities, from Aberdeen to Belfast to Cardiff. Through our work we see the world-leading capabilities our country has to offer in areas such as advanced manufacturing, aerospace, life sciences, offshore wind and many more.
To me, this campaign isn’t about selling Britain, but about highlighting opportunities within UK industries. It’s about getting businesses around the world excited about the new technologies we are creating here and the innovative products and services that we have to offer. It’s about delivering the message that Britain is definitely open for business.”
GOOD
good
Whilst inwards investment is good, are you in any way concerned about the effect this is having on the overall wealth of the nation?
Inward investment could also be seen as foreign ownership – the investment comes in but the profit is at some later point extracted to overseas somewhere. Sure there are in the mean time jobs created which is to be applauded, but should we also be concentrating on keeping equity in the UK?
Strange, I almost read it as “It’s about delivering the message that Britain is definitely open to take others’ countries money, just not their people”.