It's official: London is the best city to build a European operation

According to a post-Brexit survey

London is Europe’s number one destination for technology and financial services, and is the best city in which to build a European operation according to a post-Brexit survey of over two hundred senior US tech executives.

The findings of the poll commissioned by London & Partners, the mayor of London’s promotional company, reveals that the majority of tech execs surveyed rank London as Europe’s leading tech hub ahead of other cities such as Berlin, Paris and Dublin. Fifty seven per cent also view London as Europe’s leading financial services centre ahead of Frankfurt, Zurich and Amsterdam.  

Further analysis of the survey, which was conducted in August after the EU referendum vote, shows that London is seen as the number one destination for US tech executives looking to establish a European operation. The American tech leaders citied London’s superior access to finance, rich talent pool and ease of doing business, in terms of favourable time zones and lack of language barriers.  

The mayor of London Sadiq Khan will today address leading figures from New York and London’s tech and business communities at an event hosted at WeWork’s HQ in New York City. He will call for greater collaboration between London and US tech hubs such as New York, and declare that London remains open for US businesses. 

The mayor of London Sadiq Khan said: “Our great city has long been at the very forefront of financial services. When you combine that with our new-found technological expertise, it creates an unrivalled opportunity for companies looking to break into the European market. Despite the country’s decision to leave the European Union, there is no doubt that London will continue to be the booming and successful city it is today, open to talent and creativity from across the world and a leading destination for American business.” 

 Speaking alongside the mayor at today’s event, Rich Riley, CEO of London-based Shazam, added: “New York and London have always shared an entrepreneurial spirit in creating new and emerging technologies. Since Shazam is based in London, we have always benefited from cultivating this vital relationship between these two innovative cities. I am honored to welcome mayor Sadiq Khan to New York in support of his message to America that London is open for business.”