UK consulting sector cements global leadership as professional services exports grow 9%, with legal and advisory firms driving cross-border revenue

The UK consulting sector has reinforced its position as the world's second-largest professional services exporter, with exports growing by 9% to cement a global leadership position, according to data published on 6 July. The figures cover the broader consulting and professional services market in which UK-headquartered firms operate internationally, and include the legal, management consulting, and financial advisory sectors that make up the core of London's professional services economy. The UK's strength in professional services exports reflects a combination of factors: the global primacy of English law as the governing law of choice for cross-border transactions, the concentration of Magic Circle and elite US firm offices in London, and the depth of specialist expertise in sectors including finance, energy, and technology. Professional services now rank among the UK's most significant export categories, outperforming many goods sectors. The growth comes despite post-Brexit changes to the ease of service delivery within the EU, which had been expected to constrain professional services cross-border activity. The 9% export growth figure suggests the sector has adapted, though barriers to practice rights in certain EU jurisdictions remain a live issue for UK-qualified lawyers seeking to work across the single market.