Indian Tech Giants Fuel UK Growth: Wipro Leads AI-Driven Surge

Indian companies are significantly increasing their presence and investment in the United Kingdom, with technology giants Wipro and Zoho leading a remarkable growth surge. A recent report highlights a record number of Indian-owned firms now operating in the UK, showcasing a deepening economic partnership that is creating thousands of jobs and generating billions in revenue. This expansion, particularly potent in the technology and AI sectors, underscores the strategic importance of the UK as a key hub for Indian businesses looking to internationalise their operations and tap into a mature market.

The scale of this growth is substantial, with the 2025 'India meets Britain Tracker' by Grant Thornton and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) revealing a 23% increase in the number of Indian-owned companies in the UK, rising from 971 to 1,197 in just one year.[1][2][3] This represents the highest number recorded since the tracker began and the steepest year-on-year increase.[2][3] These companies collectively generated £72.14 billion in revenue, an increase from £68.09 billion the previous year, and employ 126,720 people, having added over 8,000 new jobs in the past year alone.[1] The report, strengthened this year by the inclusion of the India Global Forum, was launched by senior government officials from both nations, signaling strong bilateral support for the burgeoning economic relationship, further buoyed by the finalisation of the India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA).[2][4]

At the forefront of this expansion are technology firms, which continue to dominate the landscape of Indian investment. IT services major Wipro’s UK subsidiary, Wipro IT Services UK Societas, topped the growth rankings with an extraordinary 448% surge in revenue.[1][2][3] This phenomenal growth is reflective of Wipro’s deep and expanding commitment to the UK market, where it has a headquarters in London, ten development centers, and four digital pods.[5] Wipro has been actively securing major deals, such as a £500 million, 10-year strategic partnership with the Phoenix Group, the UK's largest long-term savings and retirement business.[6] This deal involves Wipro managing and modernising the core policy administration platform with AI, automation, and cloud technologies.[6] The company is also engaged in significant digital transformation projects with other major UK businesses like Hachette UK and Wealthtime, focusing on leveraging AI and IT infrastructure overhauls to boost operational efficiency.[7][8] Wipro's strategy includes establishing centers of excellence in the UK, transferring and building local expertise to drive innovation and service delivery.[8]

Joining Wipro at the top of the growth charts is Zoho Corporation, a corporate IT management firm that made a strong debut in the tracker with an impressive 197% growth.[1][2][3] Zoho’s expansion in the UK is a core part of its global strategy, which has seen the bootstrapped SaaS company reach 100 million users worldwide.[9] The UK is one of Zoho's biggest markets, and the company is heavily investing in its "Transnational Localism" program, which focuses on building local teams with in-country expertise to support customers.[9][10] Zoho has expanded its Bletchley-based UK office and nearly tripled its staff across sales, customer support, and marketing to better serve its growing client base, which includes notable organizations like the Office for National Statistics and Cornwall Council.[9][10] The company's UK managing director, Sachin Agrawal, has emphasized the importance of partnering with customers for long-term success and digital transformation.[9][10] Zoho's finance platform has also seen a significant 35% increase in new UK customers, driven by its HMRC-recognised accounting software.[11]

The broader trend reveals a robust and diverse investment portfolio from Indian companies in the UK. The Technology, Media, and Telecom (TMT) sector accounts for the largest share of Indian-owned firms at 31%, followed by pharmaceuticals and chemicals (22%) and a notable rise in financial services (9.5%).[1][3] London remains the preferred headquarters for 47% of these companies, with the South of England also being a popular destination.[1][2] The 74 fastest-growing companies identified in the tracker achieved an average growth rate of 42%, contributing a combined turnover of £32.6 billion and paying £67.3 million in corporation tax.[1][3] This surge in business activity is seen as a reflection of the evolving economic convergence between India and the UK, with the new FTA expected to provide even greater market access and operational certainty for Indian firms.[2] The investment relationship is a two-way street, supporting over 600,000 jobs across both countries and highlighting the deep-rooted economic ties that are poised for further growth.[12]