THE ASIAN INDEPENDENT UK
Bal Ram Sampla
Geopolitics
Indian companies have never been more important to the British economy. A record 1,912 Indian-owned businesses are now operating in the UK and together they employ over 200,000 people, generate more than £105 billion in turnover, and pay hundreds of millions in tax every year.
This information is based on the Grant Thornton India Meets Britain Tracker 2026
At a glance:
(I) 1,912 Indian-owned companies in the UK up 60% in one year
(II) £105.8bn Combined turnover
(III) 203,549 People employed
(IV) £378m Corporation tax paid in 2026
The number of Indian-owned firms in the UK jumped from 1,197 in 2025 to 1,912 in 2026. That is a rise of nearly 60% in a single year — the highest ever recorded by the Tracker.
Their combined turnover grew from £72 billion to over £105 billion. One in four of these companies is a new entrant, showing that the flow of Indian businesses into the UK is still going strong.
Hundreds of thousands of jobs
Indian companies now employ more than 203,000 people across Britain. The biggest employer is Jaguar Land Rover — owned by India’s Tata Motors with over 44,000 staff. Tata Steel employs another 19,600 workers, mostly in Wales and the North of England.
In total, 16 Indian-owned firms each employ more than 1,000 people. These are not head offices in London — they are factories, plants, and service centres that sustain whole communities.
A growing tax contribution
Indian-owned companies paid £378 million in corporation tax in 2026, up from £277 million the year before. This money goes directly into public services — hospitals, schools, infrastructure.
As India’s High Commissioner to the UK put it: “These companies are not only expanding their commercial footprint, they are generating employment and contributing to the UK tax take, directly supporting growth and public services.”
Fast-growing companies
The Tracker identified 66 Indian-owned firms with revenue growth of at least 10% per year. On average, they grew by 61% — and together generated over £6 billion in turnover.
The standout performer was Prime Focus International Services, which grew by over 1,200%. Zydus Pharmaceuticals grew by 320%, and Rizing Limited by 275%. Technology firms lead the pack, but pharmaceuticals and manufacturing are catching up fast.
Spreading Across the UK
Indian investment is no longer just a London story. While the capital hosts the most companies, Indian businesses are now found across the South, the Midlands, the North, and Wales.
Better regional infrastructure, local talent, and government incentives are drawing investment to parts of Britain that need it most.
A New Trade Deal Sdds Momentum
The India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), signed in 2025, is making it easier and cheaper to do business between the two countries.
Tariff reductions started in April 2026.
Bilateral trade already reached £47.9 billion in 2025 — up 10% year on year. India is now the UK’s 11th largest trading partner, and the two countries have set a target of £100 billion in trade by 2030.
Why This Matters
Britain’s economy is under pressure. Growth is slow, public finances are stretched, and the country is looking for investment. Indian companies — quietly and consistently — are helping to fill that gap.
They bring jobs, tax revenue, and long-term commitment. They are building factories, not just buying assets. They are employing local workers, not just relocating executives.
The India Meets Britain Tracker 2026 makes one thing clear: India’s footprint in Britain is not a footnote. It is a foundation.
Source: Grant Thornton India Meets Britain Tracker 2026 · CII & India Global Forum
