Europe
The UK ‘s top trading partners include Germany, Netherlands and France, all of which are ranked in the top five, and are the UK’s leading European source markets according to the Department for International Trade’s Inward Investment statistics for 2021/22, as well as Belgium, Italy and Switzerland within the top ten.
France
France is one of the UK’s main trading partners with approximately 5,000 firms investing across the channel in both directions, whilst supporting over half a million jobs. It’s commercial partnership is strong and is arguably the cornerstone of the European economy.
According to Department for International Trade (DIT) Foreign-Direct Investment (FDI) statistics for 2021/22, France delivered 84 FDI projects, created 4, 628 new jobs and safeguarded 166 jobs.
What attracts French companies to the Thames Valley?
Right: Sarah Robert speaks, in both English and French, of her role in James Cowper Kreston’s International Tax team and what makes the region a destination of choice for French companies.
French-owned companies in the Thames Valley
Please see below two examples of French-owned companies choosing to locate their UK head offices in the heart of the Thames Valley – Reading.
Thales Group is a French multinational company that designs and builds electrical systems and provides services for the aerospace, defence, transportation and security markets. In 2018, Thales opened their state of the art facility in Green Park, Reading. The site brings 500 highly skilled jobs to the region, as well as acting as a major contributor to UK prosperity with annual revenues of £1.3bn.
Sanofi is a French multinational pharmaceutical company (the world’s fifth-largest by prescription sales) that engages in the research and development, manufacturing and marketing of pharmaceutical drugs and over-the-counter medication. In 2019, Sanofi opened their UK headquarters in Thames Valley Park, Reading. The new 70,000 sqft office facility marks a £37m investment into the region and will act as the new base for 42% of Sanofi’s UK employees.
Germany
Germany and the UK have long been economic trading partners, with a natural and long-standing relationship. Germany accounts for 13% of total UK imports, higher than any other country in the world.
According to Department for International Trade (DIT) Foreign-Direct Investment (FDI) statistics for 2021/22, Germany delivered 100 FDI projects, created 7,339 new jobs and safeguarded 465 jobs.
Why should German businesses invest in Great Britain?
Left: Senior industry representatives share their views on what makes the UK the natural target for companies that are investing and growing.
German-owned companies in the Thames Valley
Please see below three examples of German-owned companies choosing to locate their UK head offices in Slough, Reading (Berkshire) and Milton Keynes (Buckinghamshire).
Bayer
Bayer are a German-owned multinational pharmaceutical and life sciences company and one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in the world. The company has committed its long term future and expansion plans by relocating its UK headquarters to Green Park, Reading, Berkshire and has taken 80,000sqft of space in 400 South Oak Way on a 15-year lease.
Italy
According to Department for International Trade (DIT) Foreign-Direct Investment (FDI) statistics for 2021/22, Italy delivered 72 new FDI projects, created 1,283 new jobs and safeguarded 1,019 jobs.
Discover more at Department for International Trade.
Italian-owned companies in the Thames Valley
Kayser Italia is an independent aerospace systems engineering company, who initially established operations in 1986. Since its launch, the company has participated in more than 50 space missions and 80 payloads – all of which have been completed with full scientific, technical, economic and programmatic success.
What makes the region a destination of choice for Italian companies?
Below: Hear from Charlotte Firth (in both English and Italian), part of James Cowper Kreston’s International Tax team, on what the region has to offer Italian inward investors.
The Netherlands
The UK and the Netherlands have enjoyed more than 400-year long trading heritage, which continues to growth from strength to strengthen despite Brexit.
According to Department for International Trade (DIT) Foreign-Direct Investment (FDI) statistics for 2021/22, the Netherlands delivered 74 new FDI projects and created 4,316 new jobs whilst safeguarding 91 jobs.
Belgium
Today as much of 7.8% of Belgium exports are to the UK, with Belgium being the UK’s sixth-largest export market, worth £10 billion a year. The UK is Belgium’s fourth-largest export market with two-way trade worth in the region of £22 billion, of which £2 billion is in services.