Irish enterprise signals deepening UK commitment
Enterprise Ireland, the government of Ireland’s trade and innovation agency, today launched its 2026 UK Market Sentiment Survey. The report reveals that Irish companies are no longer just trading partners but are deeply embedded, permanent contributors to the UK economy.
Commitment to the market is intensifying. Today, 64% of surveyed companies maintain a physical UK footprint, with 35% expanded to multiple locations and their investment intent signals long-term commitment. Of those with a presence, 60% are increasing UK investment with 22% planning significant increases and 67% are growing their UK workforce in the coming 12 months. Every company planning UK investment is also growing their UK headcount, reflecting that capital commitment and job creation are moving in lockstep.
This expansion is across the length and breadth of the UK: while London remains the dominant commercial hub, the North of England, Midlands and Scotland are emerging as priority growth destinations, closely aligned with the UK government’s own infrastructure and local growth ambitions.
A new wave of Irish companies is also entering the UK market: 36% of those without a current UK presence plan to hire their first UK-based employees this year, broadening Irish business’s contribution to local economies further still.
Welcoming the survey findings, Ireland’s Prime Minister, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said: “The British-Irish economic relationship is strong and enduring. Irish companies have been investing in Britain for generations. Today, Irish companies employ in the region of 150,000 people across the UK, and the Enterprise Ireland survey shows that this commitment is growing. Irish firms are not just trading with the UK, they are embedded in it, cooperating to build energy infrastructure, developing digital systems and delivering large-scale construction and water projects, contributing to the UK economy and communities in every region. This is a relationship that benefits both our economies and our peoples, and one we are committed to strengthening further.”
Deep roots across the UK
London remains the primary entry point for Irish companies and main commercial hub for fintech, software and professional services, accounting for 23% of the Irish business footprint surveyed. But Irish firms are far from London-centric: the North-Midlands Corridor represents 36% of the Irish business footprint, making it the critical industrial heartland for Irish engineering, construction and manufacturing firms. The South of England accounts for 16%, led by Engineering & Manufacturing, Software and Life Sciences companies. Scotland also accounts for 16%, with Irish engineering companies particularly active in the energy transition, offshore wind and grid infrastructure sectors.
Launching today’s survey, Jenny Melia, CEO, Enterprise Ireland said:“The 2026 survey captures a relationship that has been maturing for decades: the evolution of Irish business in the UK from a traditional export-oriented model into a deeply embedded, operationally committed presence at the heart of the UK economy. The footprint of Enterprise Ireland’s client companies, their level of investment intent and plans to increase employment in the UK signals that Irish companies are permanent, productive contributors to the UK’s economic resilience and the scale of their ambition for the years ahead has never been clearer.”
Confidence is broad-based and robust
95% of the companies surveyed describe the UK as a Critical or Very Important market. Average confidence in capitalising on UK market opportunities is 7.8 out of 10, with 68% scoring 8 or above, reflecting a broad, robust conviction shared across all sectors and regions. Construction & Built Environment records the highest sector confidence at 8.1/10, driven by the energy transition and the AMP8 water infrastructure cycle. Engineering & Manufacturing follows at 7.9/10, with Software at 7.8/10, reflecting the UK’s digital transformation and the growing AI agenda.
Deirdre McPartlin, head of UK, Nordics and New Exporters, Enterprise Ireland, said: “The survey captures the extraordinary depth of Irish companies’ commitment in the UK— hiring, investing and growing year on year. It also shows that alignment between Irish capability and the UK’s most ambitious growth priorities has never been stronger, meeting the UK’s most critical needs in infrastructure, energy, digital transformation, AI and healthcare. Through our offices in London, Manchester and Scotland, we support Irish companies at every stage of their UK journey, from first steps to full-scale operations and work with UK industry to connect them to world-class Irish delivery partners.”
Irish investment is accelerating across the UK – aligned with the UK’s most ambitious growth priorities
London – accounting for 23% of the total Irish business footprint, London is the primary anchor hub, with over half of London-focused companies in Software. Irish companies are scaling with London’s digital economy, with 29% of London-focused companies planning significant investment increases, driven by enterprise technology, fintech and professional services.
North of England and Midlands – together representing 36% of the total Irish business footprint, and the industrial heartland of Irish UK activity. 37% of companies focused on this corridor are planning significant investment increases, with Irish companies directly aligned with the region’s most ambitious priorities: data centre development, high-voltage grid upgrades, AMP8 water infrastructure investment and manufacturing supply chains across Manchester, Leeds, Sheffield and Birmingham.
South of England – accounting for 16% of the total Irish business footprint, with Engineering & Manufacturing, Software and Life Sciences all strongly represented. 43% of South of England-focused companies are planning significant investment increases, closely aligned with the Thames Valley tech corridor, the Oxford–Cambridge arc, NHS procurement activity and ongoing MHRA regulatory engagement.
Scotland – accounting for 16% of the total Irish business footprint, with 26% of Scotland-focused companies planning significant investment increases. Scottish growth priorities in offshore wind, BESS, grid infrastructure and marine engineering align with Irish engineering expertise. A formal Irish-Scottish Government MOU on cross-border collaboration in energy, industry and education is actively shaping investment decisions.
Wales – accounting for 5% of the total Irish business footprint, with 38% of Wales-focused companies planning significant investment increases. Irish companies are directly aligned with Wales’s offshore wind ambitions and broader energy transition and aerospace agenda.
Northern Ireland – accounting for 4% of the total Irish business footprint, with 33% of Northern Ireland-focused companies planning significant investment increases. Engineering & Manufacturing and Software lead, aligned with a broad base of industrial and services sectors, serving both the UK and EU single markets.
The UK is the largest country export market for Enterprise Ireland client companies, achieving exports of €10.52bn exports in 2024, up 4% on 2023 and surpassing the €10bn mark for the first time.