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United Kingdom

SelectFlorida provides information and assistance to companies in the United Kingdom (U.K.) interested in establishing operations in Florida or identifying strategic partners in Florida.

Providing Assistance for Companies in the U.K.

If you are a Florida company interested in exporting to the United Kingdom market, please click here.

The United Kingdom and Florida: A Strong and Growing Economic Partnership

The United Kingdom and the U.S. State of Florida have enjoyed longstanding, highly-developed ties in terms of language, culture, education, science, technology, transport, tourism, and commerce. Today the UK is among Florida’s most significant economic partners, while Florida ranks among the top American states for British businesses and tourists alike. British companies account for close to 70,000 jobs in the state, making the UK the top foreign investor in Florida, while each year Florida companies supply a wide-range of high-value goods such as medications, aviation/aerospace products as well as intermediate products to British businesses.

SelectFlorida assists British companies to set up or expand in Florida (opening an office, distribution centre, manufacturing facility, etc.) by providing information, finding suitable premises, recruitment, training, permitting and tailored incentives. We also support Florida companies looking to export to the UK by providing market research and identifying distributors. Our services are always completely confidential and free of charge.

British Investment in Florida: Accessing Markets Throughout the Americas

Florida’s strong technology base and its global linkages have helped to attract close to 300 British firms to Florida, enabling them to prosper and effectively serve markets throughout the Western Hemisphere and around the world. The Florida operations of British companies today play an important role in affirming Florida’s position as a major business center in the Americas.

Florida is host to various types of British corporate facilities, including high-tech manufacturing plants, research & development labs, information and multimedia production, financial and other high value-added services, as well as hemispheric corporate headquarters and distribution centers. British-affiliated companies are present in most key sectors of Florida’s economy and are located throughout the state.

 

Florida: A Magnet for International Companies Video

Florida: A Magnet for International Companies

UK Investment In Florida

UK Investment In Florida

Select British-Owned Companies with Operations in Florida

U.K. Parent Company – Florida Subsidiary Company

  • AON PLC (Professional Services AON PLC (Professional Services) – Aon Hewitt
  • BAE Systems, PLC (Aerospace) – BAE Systems Mobility & Protection Systems
  • Barclays Bank (Financial Services) – Barclays Bank
  • Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu International (Professional Services) – Deloitte
  • Diageo PLC (Beverages) – Diageo North America
  • EY Ernst & Young Global Limited (Professional Services) – Ernst & Young
  • HSBC Holdings PLC (Financial Services) – HSBC Bank USA, N.A.
  • Princess Yachts International PLC (Manufacturing) – Princess Yachts
Florida Companies In The UK

Florida Companies In The UK

Florida-headquartered companies in a variety of industry sectors have operations in the U.K., including these well-known corporations:

  • B/E Aerospace, Inc. (Aerospace)
  • Claire’s Stores (Retail)
  • Citrix Systems, Inc. (Software)
  • Fresh Del Monte Produce, Inc. (Produce)
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Download the U.K. Linkage Profile

View PDF

Download Florida-UK Trade Reports

Download Florida-Ireland Trade Reports

Other Resources for Investors

Trade

Trade

  • In 2022, the total bilateral merchandise trade between Florida and the UK was $5.8 billion, making it Florida’s #1 bilateral merchandise trade partner in Europe and 8th largest partner overall.
  • Florida exports to the UK totaled $3.2 billion in 2022, making the United Kingdom Florida’s 7th largest export market. Leading export commodities include medicaments, civilian aircraft, art, optical fibers, and turbojets.
  • Florida imports from the UK totaled $2.6 billion in 2022, making the United Kingdom Florida’s 14th largest source of merchandise imports. Leading import commodities include turbojets, ethyl alcohol, cars, art, and yachts.
Foreign Direct Investment

Foreign Direct Investment

  • British affiliates in Florida are estimated to have had total holdings of USD $18.0 billion in 2020 (gross property, plant, and equipment). The United Kingdom is the #1 source of international investment into Florida’s economy.
  • In 2020, British-affiliated companies employed more Floridians than companies from any other foreign country – altogether accounting for 77,200 jobs. The number of employees at British-owned firms consisted of nearly 19% of all Florida FDI-related jobs in 2020, meaning about one in five Floridians working for a foreign-affiliated company in 2020 was employed by a British firm.
  • Based on the most recent statistics from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, the United Kingdom is the #1 foreign direct investor in Florida.
  • According to our database of foreign-owned affiliates in Florida, there are more than 350 British-owned companies operating 600+ branch locations throughout Florida.
Global Connectivity/ Gateway Economy
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Global Connectivity/ Gateway Economy

  • In 2022, 1 million Brits visited Florida from the United Kingdom accounting for 11.3% of total international visitors to the state.
  • The United Kingdom consistently ranks 2nd largest nationality of international visitors to Florida on an annual basis.
  • Over 79,000 British-born residents live in Florida as of 2021, according to the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey.
Community and Culture – Cultural Ties
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Community and Culture – Cultural Ties

Shared Historical and Cultural Heritage
Britain’s cultural connections with Florida go back several centuries, and indeed in colonial days, the Union Jack for a time flew over the entire Florida territory. Today, Florida acts as a magnet for British business executives, scholars, students, artists, and tourists alike. There are extensive educational, cultural, and technical exchange programs between organizations in the United Kingdom and those in Florida, as well as numerous British-American clubs throughout Florida.

Our Location and Contact
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Our Location and Contact

SelectFlorida – United Kingdom Office
77 Marsh Wall
London E14 9SH
United Kingdom
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Let’s Connect. We’re here to help.

Rhoda Campbell Director – UK & Ireland +44 (0) 7754 001434
Contact Us
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Featured Image London, United Kingdom