Ukrainian business in the UK: how many companies are owned by Ukrainians and in which sectors do they operate?

Ukrainians are actively registering and running businesses in the UK, ranging from e-commerce to IT and consulting. Find out how many companies are owned by Ukrainians in the UK, which of them are operational, and in which sectors the Ukrainian presence is strongest

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In the UK, there are over 26,600 records of companies whose ultimate beneficial owners are approximately 25,500 Ukrainians. This is according to a joint study by KNEU professor and financial analyst Roman Kornilyuk and the YouControl R&D center.

The data shows that the Ukrainian business presence in the British company register is not just noticeable — it is large-scale, diverse, and often concentrated in areas that require entrepreneurial flexibility and digital skills.

The scale of Ukrainian presence in the British company register

The analysis confirms the activity of Ukrainians in two roles: managers (directors) and owners (beneficiaries).

Thus, the British register contains more than 28,500 entries on companies where Ukrainian citizens are or were directors. These entries concern a total of about 24,900 people.

Separately, the register contains 26,600 entries for companies in which approximately 25,500 Ukrainians are beneficiaries.

Active and closed companies: what the statistics show

The study also compares the status of companies in terms of two indicators: when Ukrainians are directors and when Ukrainians are owners.

Company status — Ukrainian directors / Ukrainian owners:

● Active: 13,200 / 14,600

● Dissolved: 13,800 / 10,800

● Strike off: 1,200 / 1,100

● In liquidation: 116 / 87

Key conclusion: more than 14.6 thousand companies with Ukrainian owners continue to operate actively.

Researchers also explain that a significant number of dissolved companies is typical for the British market, where businesses can be opened and closed quickly, without excessive procedures. At the same time, the share of companies in liquidation is less than 0.5%, which indicates that Ukrainian entrepreneurs mainly cease operations through voluntary liquidation rather than bankruptcy.

Where do Ukrainian directors actually manage: the UK or Ukraine?

The distribution of jurisdictions of Ukrainian directors in British companies demonstrates a combination of local presence and remote management.

The largest share of directors have jurisdiction in:

● Great Britain — 48.3%, which indicates that they live and manage their businesses “on site”;

● Ukraine — 38.4%.

Other jurisdictions are represented by a significantly smaller share:

● Poland — 3.2%;

● Germany — 1.4%;

● Spain — 0.7%;

● Czech Republic — 0.6%;

● Italy — 0.4%;

● USA — 0.4%;

● UAE — 0.4%.

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In which areas do Ukrainians most often do business in the UK?

The sectoral structure of companies with Ukrainian owners shows a noticeable concentration in the areas of the digital economy and professional services. The largest share is occupied by: retail trade via the Internet or mail order — 6.6% (3,079 companies).

The technology sector plays an important role:

● software development — 5.1%;

● consulting on informatization issues — 4.4%;

● other IT activities — 2.8%.

Overall, IT is the largest segment of Ukrainian business in the UK.

Other significant segments include:

● management consulting — 3%;

● advertising agencies — 2.1%;

● non-specialized wholesale trade — 2.4%;

● auxiliary commercial services — 2.4%;

● other individual services — 2.3%.

Residential construction closes the top ten sectors with a share of 1.9%.

Researchers emphasize that most companies operate outside the top sectors, which indicates the high diversification and adaptability of Ukrainian businesses in the British market.

Tip: if you are planning to enter the British market or find employment abroad, it is important to understand the rules, permits, and nuances of contracts. This is where the services of lawyers specializing in employment issues for Ukrainians abroad at Visit Ukraine can come in handy — specialists will help you avoid risks and better prepare for working in another country.

We remind you! Europe remains one of the most attractive regions for starting your own business thanks to its stable economy, clear rules, and loyal taxation. Read about where it is most profitable to register a company and what the advantages are.

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