Indian firms surge across the UK economy as company numbers jump 60%, turnover tops £105bn, and trade ties with India strengthen under CETA framework, reports Asian Lite News Desk
Indian-owned businesses are expanding rapidly across the UK, with the number of Indian-controlled companies rising by nearly 60% in 2026, according to the latest India Meets Britain Tracker published by Grant Thornton.
The report shows the total number of Indian-owned firms in the UK has reached 1,912, up sharply from the previous year. Combined turnover has also surged, climbing to £105.77 billion in 2026 from £72.14 billion in 2025.
The India Meets Britain Tracker, produced by Grant Thornton UK in collaboration with the Confederation of Indian Industry (Confederation of Indian Industry) and India Global Forum (India Global Forum), is now in its 13th edition. First launched in 2014, it is regarded as a leading benchmark report tracking Indian investment, employment, and sectoral trends in the UK.
Strong growth and rising investment
The 2026 findings highlight strong performance across the board, with 66 companies reporting annual revenue growth of 10% or more. The average growth rate among Tracker firms stood at 61%, rising significantly from 42% in the previous year.
Top performers included Prime Focus International Services, which recorded growth of 1,283%, and Zydus Pharmaceuticals UK at 320%.
Bilateral trade between the UK and India also rose sharply, increasing to £47.4 billion in 2025, an 11.7% year-on-year rise, driven largely by advanced manufacturing, clean energy, and technology sectors.
The report links part of this momentum to the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), signed in July 2025, which is expected to come into force soon. The agreement aims to simplify trade rules, boost investor confidence, and support a shared target of reaching $100 billion in bilateral trade by 2030.
Findings in numbers
Employment surge across UK economy
Indian-owned companies are also playing a growing role in UK employment, now supporting 203,549 jobs, a 60.6% increase compared to 2025.
Jaguar Land Rover, owned by Tata Motors, remains the largest Indian-linked employer in the UK with 44,103 staff. It is followed by Tata Steel with 19,600 employees and Borelli Tea Holdings with 5,040.
The report also highlights increasing gender diversity, noting a rise in female directors across Indian-owned firms operating in the UK.
Sectoral trends
Technology, media and telecom (TMT) continues to dominate as the leading sector for Indian firms in the UK, maintaining its position since the Tracker began.
Manufacturing and pharmaceuticals follow closely in second and third place, respectively. Key growth drivers include LTIMindtree, Wipro, and Prime Focus in the technology sector, while Zydus Pharmaceuticals continues to expand in life sciences.
Regional distribution shifting beyond London
London remains the primary hub for Indian businesses, hosting 38% of all firms and generating £2.26 billion in revenue. However, the capital’s share has declined from over 50% between 2018 and 2021.
Growth is increasingly spreading across the UK. The South accounts for 27% of Indian businesses, while the Midlands and the North host 12% and 11% respectively, reflecting broader geographic diversification.
Despite strong growth, the report notes challenges including rising operational costs, regulatory complexity, and increased competition. However, it also highlights the UK’s stable legal and financial systems, along with its focus on clean energy and digital innovation, as key attractions for Indian investors.
Anuj Chande OBE, Partner and Head of the South Asia Business Group at Grant Thornton UK, said the findings underline the “remarkable achievements of Indian businesses in the UK” and pointed to CETA as a catalyst for future growth.
A spokesperson for the Confederation of Indian Industry said the agreement would further strengthen investment flows and deepen economic ties between the two countries.
India Global Forum also highlighted the UK’s growing role as a strategic destination for Indian capital, particularly in innovation-led sectors, while stressing the importance of regulatory alignment to sustain growth.
