Is London Still a Base for the Globally Mobile Executive?

London’s Position Has Changed

London has spent decades as the default base for international business, but that’s no longer a given, executives can now work just as easily from Dubai, Singapore or New York. The city still offers a rare concentration of financial, legal and professional expertise in one place, but it’s not clear whether that’s still worth the cost and complexity of being based here.

The Business Infrastructure Is Still Hard to Match

For a globally mobile executive, the answer depends on what they actually need from a base. Most need to be able to easily reach companies, whether that’s via train, commercial flight, or private jet.

London is home to more than 90,000 financial and professional services companies, while the Bank of England, Financial Conduct Authority and major international financial institutions form part of its wider business ecosystem.

An executive might meet an investment firm in the City in the morning, speak to a technology company in Shoreditch over lunch and meet a legal adviser in Mayfair that afternoon.

London City Hall continues to identify financial and professional services as a major part of the capital’s economy. For an executive whose work crosses industries or jurisdictions, access to established legal, financial and business expertise can still be a practical advantage.

International Connectivity Remains a Major Advantage

Part of London’s appeal is that it’s easy to travel to and from other markets. Heathrow provides direct links to destinations around the world, while the wider London airport network gives travellers alternatives depending on their destination and schedule.

A London base does not necessarily mean spending most of the week in London. An executive may start the week in the capital, travel to a European meeting and then continue to North America before returning home. For those with particularly demanding schedules, private flights provide another option when arranging travel between several markets.

What’s desirable about London specifically, is the ability to organise travel around the working day rather than having every meeting dictated by a fixed itinerary.

Access to Specialist Talent Matters

Talent is another reason London remains difficult to replace since the capital attracts people from different countries and professional backgrounds, creating a labour market that extends well and far beyond finance.

Technology, creative industries, professional services and life sciences all form part of the wider economy. London City Hall estimates that the capital’s creative economy supports around 816,000 jobs, while financial and professional services remain central to its international business position.

For an executive building or running an international company, that depth of expertise can be more valuable than finding the lowest possible operating costs. A business can recruit people with experience across different markets without requiring its entire operation to sit overseas.

London’s Cost Is Becoming Harder to Ignore

The disadvantage is cost. Housing, office space and everyday expenses can make London significantly more expensive than many alternative international bases.

The cost may not be worth it for executives that spend only part of the year in the UK. If a large proportion of their work takes place elsewhere, the cost of maintaining a permanent London base needs to be weighed against the value it provides.

For some, the cost is justified by access to clients, advisers and employees. For others, particularly those whose businesses can operate remotely, the calculation may come out differently.

The Tax Question Is Part of the Calculation

The UK’s treatment of internationally mobile individuals changed significantly from April 2025, when the previous non-domicile system was replaced by a residence-based regime.

Qualifying new UK residents can claim relief under the Foreign Income and Gains regime for their first four years of UK residence, provided they meet the relevant conditions. The rules are specific, so the potential benefits depend on an individual’s circumstances.

That makes the decision more personal than a simple comparison between cities. Someone dividing their working life between several countries needs to consider where they are resident, where their income arises and how time spent working in different jurisdictions affects their position.

For executives with international businesses, these factors need to sit alongside the practical benefits of having a London base.

A Base for Business, Not Just a Place to Live

The strongest argument isn’t London’s brand as a world-class city, but that a large amount of useful infrastructure already exists within a relatively concentrated area.

The capital remains a major centre for finance, technology, professional services and creative industries. Its international connections also support companies working across different markets.

Business relationships, specialist advisers, transport connections, international companies and a deep labour market are all accessible from the same base. That remains useful even for an executive who spends substantial amounts of time abroad.

The home base still needs to function when they return. Offices need to work, meetings need to happen and teams need to be available. Remote working has reduced the importance of location for some businesses, but it hasn’t removed it altogether.

Final Thoughts

London still works as a base for the globally mobile executive, but it’s no longer a decision that can be made on reputation alone. Its business infrastructure, talent pool and international reach remain significant advantages.

While the cost of living in London can be high, it might be worthwhile for executives whose businesses depend on London’s established networks. For those who can operate effectively from several countries, it might not be worth the financial burden.