Newcastle is a nationally significant hub for corporate services, and a major destination for professional talent and skills, with an array of international law firms, accounting practices and banking groups operating in the city.
With over 130,000 people working in around 20,000 companies, the North East has a wealth of collective corporate services experience.
All ‘Big Four’ have offices in Newcastle, including EY’s Centre’s of Excellence in Managed Services and Data Analytics and Deloitte’s Centre of Excellence in Auditing.
PwC and KPMG have strong ties with Newcastle University, collaborating in delivering degree programmes and providing students work placements. In 2022, Deloitte opened its first ‘future of work’ designed office in Newcastle.
North East universities educate around 45,000 students in corporate services-related degrees – around one-third of all students and one of the highest per-capita rates in the UK. Newcastle business schools are also among the best in the country, providing a healthy pipeline of talent.
Newcastle’s financial services sector is highly developed, with companies such as Tesco Bank, Virgin Money, Santander, Newcastle Building Society, Brewin Dolphin doing business in the city.
The National Audit Office and HM Revenue & Customs both have an extensive presence in the city, making Newcastle a national centre of excellence for taxation.
International law firms such as Womble Bond Dickinson, Norton Rose Fulbright, Clifford Chance and Weightmans provide world-class legal services in the city as do insurers North P&I Club and Lycetts.
One of the largest financial services providers in the world, Sage PLC, was founded in Newcastle and continues to have a large presence, employing more than 6,000 people locally.
Low operating costs and high-quality office space have led to Newcastle being one of the top destinations for business process outsourcing (BPO), with many companies locating their back and middle office functions in the city.
Sub Sectors
Take a look at the corporate services clusters driving growth in Newcastle.
Tax and Audit
Newcastle is home to the National Audit Office and Deloitte’s UK Centre of Excellence in Auditing, with an additional 9,000 tax professionals set to work in the city centre when HMRC’s new Northern hub opens on Pilgrim Street.
Financial Services
Newcastle has a well-established financial services ecosystem, bolstered by national institutions like Barclays and Santander, and a growing number of industry disruptors, challenger banks and fintechs.
Digital Transformation
Newcastle is at the forefront of digital transformation across a number of industries, with major employers like Accenture and Sage helping national and international companies adapt to the data-driven revolution.
Contact Centres
Newcastle is one of the UK's most popular destinations for contact centres, providing a ready-made workforce of skills across a range of back office functions.
Who’s here
Infrastructure
Explore the assets local companies are using to power innovation.
Newcastle University
Newcastle University is a Russell Group university with a global reputation for academic excellence and groundbreaking advancements in fields ranging from healthcare and ageing to data and sustainable development.
Northumbria University
Northumbria University is a former Times Higher Education University of the Year that continues to raise the bar on research and innovation in fields such as biotechnology, aerospace, energy systems and creative industries.
Ecosystem players
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