The UK — number one for European headquarters 2019 May 17 BUSINESS Withdrawn Market opportunity + � Ease of doing business + � Rich and diverse ecosystem = Market Success � 2019 May 17 Withdrawn The UK — a world of advantages 01 Welcome to the UK Establishing a European base is a natural step for many globally minded companies. Boasting the world’s largest single market and over 500 million consumers,2019 Europe offers a wealth of opportunity. Deciding on the location of your European Headquarters (EHQ) may be a more challenging proposition, with many European countries appearing toMay offer the same advantages and a similar business environment. The UK has consistently attracted more foreign investments with HQ operations than any other location in Europe; a clear endorsement17 of our business-friendly regulations and thriving environment for innovation and growth. Read on to learn why the UK remains the number one location for EHQs and how your company would benefit from basing its EHQ here. Top European locations for new inward investment projects with HQ operations, 2012 France Switzerland 5% Netherlands 5% Withdrawn9% Spain 10% 43% UK 14% Ireland 14% Germany Source: Financial Times fDi Markets database, percentages shown of a total 199 new inward investment projects with HQ operations in 2012 02 The UK — a world of advantages TheUK— a worldof advantages 2019 No other European country can offer the advantages of the UK. Our business friendly environment, highly skilled workers, competitive tax regime, global links, excellent ICT infrastructure and supportive stance for innovation all combine to makeMay the UK the ideal location for your European Headquarters project. 17 Withdrawn The UK — a world of advantages 03 Easy to set up � Legal leader � Best for Settingup your business in the UK Our legal systemis considered takesan average of 13days, and it tobe oneof the best in the world business � takesaslittle as 24hours to register for jurisprudence and settling a company. international and local disputes Politically and economically quickly and effectively. stable, the UK is one of the Pro-business regulation Investor confidence world’s safest and friendliest Our commitment to remove and locations for business and reduce red tape has already saved Weare the top destination in Europe business around£1bn since2011. for inward investment. Demonstrating investment. continuing investor confidence in High standards of corporate theUK, thereweremore than500 governance expansions ofUK investmentsin Wehavesomeofthe mosttransparent 2012/13, proving2019 that the UK isnot standards of corporategovernance in onlyan excellent locationtoestablish the world. Theinterests of managers an international business,but also are alignedwith shareholders rather togrow itin the longerterm. than regulators, and the flexibility inherent in the systemfacilitates effective, entrepreneurial andprudent management. May We established our 17 European Headquarters in the UK because it is the leading communications hub and gateway to Europe. 20% Mr. Ou Yan Managing Director, China Telecom (Europe) Limited 20% corporation tax from April 2015. The rate is currently 23% and will beWithdrawn 21% from April 2014 04 The UK — a world of advantages Flexible labour The UK has flexible labour laws that ensure staff can beemployed under fair termsthatwill allow flexibility as your business develops. Permanent employees: Full time: a permanent employee typicallyworksa30 - 40hourweek depending ona company’s policy and practice. Part time:a permanent employee typically2019 worksbetween 12- 30 hoursper week dependingon a company’s policy andpractice. Fixed- term contracts: — last foracertainlength of time — areset in advance May— end whena specifictask is completed or a specificevent takes place. Agency staff: 17 As an employer, you can hire Strong labour market UK market � temporary staff through agencies. The UK Government supportsa The UKis a major market in its own Freelancers, consultants, framework of laws that ensures right, with apopulationof over contractors: thelabour market is: 60 million. — areself - employedorarepartof other companies – flexible , encouraging the creationof Britonsembracetechnology with a — often look after their owntax jobsby making it easytoget people passion.Wehave the second highest and NationalInsurance into work andtostayinwork; smartphone ownership in the EU5 Contributions (NICs) (UK, France, Germany, Italy andSpain) – effective , enabling employers to with 64 percent of the totalUKmobile manage their staff productively; and audience using a smartphone as their – fair , with employers competing primary device(2013 Mobile Future on a levelplaying field and workers in Focus). providedwith a strong foundation Each UK household onaverage owns of employmentprotections. Withdrawnthree differentinternet-enabled Wehave the second-largestlabour devices, and 96 per cent of our force in the European Union (EU), homeshave digitaltelevision (Ofcom at over 30 million. Communications Report 2012). The UKis anexcellent “test bed” forinnovators across every sector. We are ranked as the eighth most competitive country in the world (WorldEconomic Forum’s Global CompetitivenessReport 2012-2013). The UK — a world of advantages 05 Financial capital Weare a globalhub forfinancial services, contending only withthe USA forthenumberone global position. Financially autonomous, the Bank of EnglandmanagesUK monetarypolicy. The UK is the largest financialcentre in Europe. Thestrongpresence of EU firmsin the UK,theamount of insurance activitycarriedout in Londonon behalfof EU institutions and the size of EU financialassets managed in the UK makethe 2019 country’s financial centre an essential partof the EU economy. Professional services Ourstronginteraction with Europe As well as our strengthsin financial translates into large volumes of services, we are aworld leader in Euro-denominatedtransactions knowledge-based,businessand being traded in London. Ofall euro- professionalservices.In2012,business May UK denominated foreignexchange servicesaccounted for 8 percent of trading worldwide 40percent of UK output (Gross Domestic Product). transactions take place in London, World-class firms specialisein with the proportion being 62 per cent accountancy, audit,17 legal services, for over-the-counter interest rate informationtechnology,property The UK is the largest swaps (TheCityUK). management,architecture, financial centre in The UK also enjoysthebenefits of advertising,managementconsultancy Europe the MarketsinFinancial Instruments and engineering, to namebuta few. Directive, which allows a foreign UK professional services firmsare institution to set up an office in the honing theirskillsin increasingly UK in order to be allowed to sell its competitive world marketsand can services throughout the rest of the play avitalrolesupporting new European Union. investors’ businesses. We lookedWithdrawn at all the major European countries when considering where to locate our European Strategic HQ and after careful consideration decided on the UK. From a business point of view, many factors gave it the edge: the flexible labour market, work ethic and general level of education of available staff, along with the proximity to the financial markets in the City, would be among the major ones. James Leipnik Chief of Communicationand Corporate Relations, Canon Europe 06 The UK — a world of advantages S ocial investment and innovation Social investment uses private capital to generate social as well as financial returns. Investors, governments and enterprise are all interested in this groundbreaking asset class. It provides sustainable ways to tackle societies’ most intractable social and environmental challenges by linking the power of markets to2019 social innovation. The UK is the world’s leading social investment market. Latest research shows that the UK market will grow by 38 per cent every year for the next three years, with demand reaching £750m by 2015. MayGlobally, it could reach £600bn over the next decade. This is an exciting opportunity to align financial return with building 17 a responsible and sustainable society. We hope you will join the UK in developing this market. The social investment market provides opportunities for: — investors wanting to diversify their portfolio and make a financial and social return; — philanthropists looking to recycle their funds to achieve more social good; — s ocial ventures wanting to expand and grow; and Withdrawn — professional services to develop, manage and distribute products and services. The UK — a world of advantages 07 The Green Investment Bank � The UK has launchedtheworld’s first investment bank solely dedicated to greeningthe economy. The initiativesupports the Government’s commitmenttodeliver long-term,sustainablegrowth. This transition presents significant growthopportunities for UK-based businesses,both at home andabroad. The Green Investment Bank is one of a number ofkey policies designed tohelpmeet environmental objectives and promote economic growth. Other 2019 initiativesinclude the creationof a National Infrastructure Plan,reforms Overseas businesses investing in tothe electricity market,changes € tothe climate change levy, the the UK can register their company, introduction ofa renewable heat set up banking facilities and start incentive, the review of waste policy trading very quickly and the reviews of the electricity May regulator (Ofgem) and water regulator (Ofwat). 17 RMB business hub � Theuse oftheRenminbi