The UAE is the Golden Destination for British Entrepreneurs
Thousands of Entrepreneurs Leave Britain... and the UAE is Their Destination
The British newspaper "Financial Times" revealed that about 6,000 owners of large companies left the United Kingdom for the Emirates during the past two years.
The source stated that the departure of thousands of entrepreneurs from Britain followed changes to the British tax system and concerns about economic competitiveness.
The wealth management firm Rathbones found that the largest proportion of business owners who left the UK worked in the technology sector, after analyzing filings with the Companies House between January 2024 and 2026.
Rathbones said that the UAE was the most attractive destination for those who left the UK, followed by Spain and then the United States. Rathbones' findings came at a time when an annual Financial Times survey concluded that four out of ten respondents were considering leaving the UK due to high personal tax rates.
These departures follow sweeping tax changes in the UK that have affected many wealthy individuals, including a stricter inheritance tax regime for business owners, higher capital gains tax rates, and the abolition of non-domicile status.
"The international exodus of business owners and wealth creators continues to accelerate, and these results demonstrate a clear shift in where UK entrepreneurs are choosing to base their businesses," said Michelle White, head of private practice at Rathbones.
"We are speaking to a growing number of individuals and families—particularly younger business owners—who are considering relocating in search of better opportunities, more favorable tax environments, and greater optimism about long-term growth prospects," she added.
Rathbones also noted that the UK saw 16,500 millionaires leave the country last year, representing $91.8 billion in investable wealth, while countries such as the US and the UAE experienced inflows.
In this regard, Ali Janoudi, partner and head of new markets at Lombard Odier Group, said that Dubai and other destinations are "rapidly catching up" with the UK as a hub for entrepreneurs. He explained: "Entrepreneurs think globally, so they are naturally looking for the most efficient, advantageous, and attractive places to do business."
He continued: "Besides tax efficiency, Dubai offers political stability, regulatory clarity, and a business environment built around growth. At the same time, security, education, and overall quality of life remain important factors."
Eamonn Shahir, co-founder of Taxed, an online tax filing service that advises those relocating from the UK to the UAE and other Gulf countries, also revealed that he is seeing significant interest in moving to the UAE, particularly among entrepreneurs and younger Britons.
He emphasized: "In the UK, business owners are not a primary focus for the government, that's clear. Whereas in the UAE, there is a huge focus on entrepreneurs. When you come to Dubai (as an entrepreneur), you realize that the focus is on you. The government wants high achievers to build companies, and it has created the right environment for that." UK News
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