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United Kingdom

Enterprise Florida, Inc. (EFI) 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 world’s top foreign investor in Florida, while each year Florida companies supply (mostly high-tech) consumer products and intermediate goods to British businesses averaging a billion U.S. dollars.

Enterprise Florida assists British companies to set up or expand in Florida (opening an office, distribution center, 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.

Read more about Foreign Direct Investment in Florida here.

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

B/E Aerospace, Inc. (Aerospace)
Brightstar Corporation (Services)
Claire’s Stores (Retail)
Citrix Systems, Inc. (Software)
Fresh Del Monte Produce, Inc. (Produce)
Hard Rock Café International (Leisure)
Hertz Global Inc. (Car/Equipment Rental)
Jabil, Inc. (Electronics)
Office Depot, Inc. (Retail)
Sitel Worldwide Corp. (Customer Exp.)
Sun Capital Partners, Inc. (Fin. Services)
UTC Climate, Controls & Security (Safety)

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Download the U.K. Linkage Profile

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Download Florida-UK Trade Reports

Download Florida-Ireland Trade Reports

Other Resources for Investors

Global Connectivity/ Gateway Economy

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Global Connectivity/ Gateway Economy

In 2018, 1,498,000 people visited Florida from the United Kingdom. They accounted for 10% of total international visitors to Florida.
The United Kingdom ranks second in number of visitors to Florida.
The British consulate in Miami estimates that 400,000 British expats live in Florida.

Community and Culture – Cultural Ties

Community and Culture – Cultural Ties

Florida has three strong Sister City partnerships in existence with the UK. These partnerships include Lauderdale By The Sea’s Sister City partnershipwith Henley-on-Thames, United Kingdom, Mount Dora’s Sister City partnership with Forres, Scotland, United Kingdom, and Sarasota’s Sister City Partnership with Dunfermline, Scotland, United Kingdom.

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.

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