With 23% of UK design businesses based there, London remains the design capital of the UK. There are nearly 46,000 designers working in London, around 16,000 of these are freelances.
As might be expected some of the largest design businesses in the UK are located in London – 10% of design businesses in the capital employ between 10 and 49 designers. There is more movement in the job market in London, with higher levels of recruitment and redundancy than around the UK.
Download a PDF factsheet full of facts and stats on the design industry in London
Number of designers and design businesses in London
How many designers are there in London?
There are nearly 46,0001 designers working in London. This is an increase of 13%2 since 2003.
How many design businesses are there in London?
There are just under 20,000 design busineses in London – 23% of the total number of UK busineses
- Design consultancies 2,484
- Freelance designers 15,816
- In–house design teams 1,300
Profile of design businesses in London
What disciplines do design businesses in London work in?
The disciplinary profile of London design businesses is very similar to that of the UK, with the exception of fashion design, which has a higher than average proportion of design businesses located in the capital.
How long have design businesses in London been operating for?
London is home to design businesses of all ages – a third have been operating for less than four years, a quarter for more than 10.
How many designers do in–house design teams in London employ?
77% of London’s in-house teams employ fewer than 10 designers.
How many designers do design consultancies in London employ?
London design consultancies tend to be larger than elsewhere in the UK.
Financial performance of design businesses in London
What is the annual fee income/budget for design businesses in London?
London design consultancies have higher than average fee incomes/budgets.
How does the financial performance3 of design businesses in London over the last year compare with the year before?
London’s design businesses are less likely to have seen their fee income/budget increase over the past year than other UK design businesses.
Clients of design businesses in London
What industry sectors do design businesses in London work in?
Despite its status as the financial capital of the UK, London design businesses are less likely than average to work in the financial and business services sector.
How big are the clients of London design businesses?
London design businesses are more likely to work for large firms than those around the UK.
Job market for design businesses in London
What percentage of design businesses in London are recruiting?
38% of design businesses in London recruited at least one designer last year (UK average – 31%).
What percentage of design businesses in London made redundancies last year?
13% of design businesses in London made redundancies last year (UK average – 7%).