UK nations and regions
Scotland
With valuable business opportunities and attractive investment returns, Scotland has the perfect blend of talent, innovation, and financial and renewable resources to help your business prosper.
Scotland is a cost-effective home for your business with a range of skills and opportunities to help you expand and grow. It has a welcoming business environment, diverse industries, vibrant cities, and stunning landscapes. Scotland's tradition of innovation is matched by excellent supply chain infrastructure and networks.
Expanding your business
Scotland is a perfect location for your business. More overseas businesses chose Scotland as a location than any other UK nation or region outside London in 2020.
Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen are all in the UK’s top 10 locations for foreign direct investment, with digital technology, agri-food and business services leading the way.
Get practical guidance and insights to help you successfully set up in the UK.
Investing capital
People want to live in Scotland and businesses are thriving, attracted by the heritage of innovation and low business rates. In 2017, there was an 8.2% total return from capital and rental growth in Scotland, compared with 5.9% across the rest of the UK.
Buying goods and services
Scotland is so much more than its traditional image. While Scotch whisky and salmon are 2 of the UK’s largest food and drink exports, Scotland also produces more small satellites than any other country in Europe.
It is the UK’s second-largest financial centre after London and has been at the vanguard of video game production for 20 years, including the worldwide success of Grand Theft Auto.
Number 1 most attractive nation or region for investment outside London for the seventh consecutive year (EY Attractiveness survey 2020).
3 of the top 10 UK cities for foreign direct investment. (EY Attractiveness Survey 2020).
Top 10 in the FDI European regions/nations of the future report 2020/2021.
Over 50% of Scotland’s working population has gone through further education.
19 higher education institutions – one of the highest concentrations in Europe.
£85 billion in exports beyond Scotland in 2018 – 60% to the UK, 21% to the rest of the world, and 19% to the European Union.
Case study
JP Morgan
Edinburgh has proven to be the ideal location for JP Morgan’s wealth management business. With more than $18 trillion in assets under custody and $393 billion of assets under administration, the business is thriving, with many of the roles relocating to Edinburgh from Geneva and London.