Why Global Organisations Are Reshoring Manufacturing to the UK After Brexit 🚀
Why Global Organisations Are Reshoring Manufacturing to the UK After Brexit 🚀
Why Global Organisations Are Reshoring Manufacturing to the UK After Brexit 🚀
The post-Brexit landscape has reshaped the UK’s role in global manufacturing. While much attention has focused on the challenges, a quieter trend is unfolding: more and more European and international companies are bringing production back to Britain 🇬🇧.
This reshoring wave is sparking strong demand for senior executive talent—particularly in sectors where Wyman Bain has long-standing expertise: modular construction, semiconductors, components, defence, and advanced manufacturing.
Why International Organisations Are Choosing the UK 🌍
1. Supply Chain Resilience & Security 🔗
The pandemic and ongoing geopolitical tensions have forced businesses to rethink global supply chains. According to the UK Manufacturing Resilience Index (2025), 68% of international manufacturers now rank the UK as “highly resilient” for supply continuity—up from just 41% in 2020. Political stability, a strong legal framework, and access to skilled labour all play their part.
2. Competitive Costs & Regional Advantages 💷
Despite Brexit-related trade frictions, Britain is increasingly cost-competitive. Manufacturing wages are now 12% lower than Germany’s and 18% lower than the Netherlands’ (ONS, Eurostat 2025). Outside London and the South East, this advantage is even stronger—perfectly aligned with where 90% of our client base already operates.
3. Regulatory Flexibility & Speed ⚡
The UK’s regulatory independence from the EU is starting to pay dividends. In sectors like semiconductors, time-to-market for new products is 20% faster in the UK than in the EU (TechUK Survey, 2025). For global businesses, agility = competitive advantage.
- Modular Construction & Housebuilding 🏡
German, Scandinavian, and North American prefab leaders (e.g. Baufritz 🇩🇪, Lindbäcks 🇸🇪, Katerra 🇺🇸) are setting up UK factories to meet urgent housing demand. These projects typically require senior roles such as UK Managing Directors, Operations Directors, and Construction Directors. - Components & Semiconductors 💻
European and Asian suppliers are investing heavily to remain close to UK automotive and aerospace hubs. The semiconductor sector alone attracted £1.2 billion in FDI in 2024, with at least 15 major global players expanding their UK footprint. - Defence & Aerospace ✈️
Defence contractors from France, Italy, the US, and Israel are strengthening their UK operations to secure contracts and access the domestic market. Senior-level roles—often £150k+ are emerging in Programme Direction, Engineering Leadership, and Board-level strategy.
Executive Roles in High Demand 🎯
- Managing Directors for new UK subsidiaries
- Operations Directors to optimise production
- HR Directors to build and lead teams
- CFOs & Commercial Directors to scale operations globally
- Succession planning for UK leadership with international expertise
Typical salaries range from £80k to £200k+, aligning directly with Wyman Bain’s retained search model.
How Wyman Bain Supports Market Entry 🤝
🔹 Direct Outreach – We don’t wait for roles to be advertised. We identify and engage decision-makers before competitors know there’s an opportunity.
🔹 Sector Focus – Modular construction, semiconductors, and advanced manufacturing are where global investment and our expertise are strongest.
🔹 Regional Targeting – With over 70% of reshoring projects based outside London, our knowledge of regional talent pools gives us a unique advantage.
🔹 UK Market Entry Specialists – We blend international cultural insight with deep knowledge of the UK business environment.
- Months 1–2: Research and map global companies signalling UK expansion
- Months 3–4: Engage directly with HRDs, UK MDs, and HQ decision-makers
- Months 5–6: Convert conversations into market intelligence (£10k+), progressing to retained executive search.
Post-Brexit, the UK is emerging as a hub for international manufacturing investment. For global organisations, this means opportunity but also the challenge of securing the right leadership talent.
At Wyman Bain, we provide the research-led, transparent, and tailored executive search approach organisations need to succeed in the UK.
📩 If you’re planning UK expansion or simply want a confidential discussion about executive talent - contact us today.
