Member Article

Digital roles in London set to swell to over a quarter of a million by 2026

The importance of London’s tech sector to the city’s economy as a whole is set to grow over the coming decade as the ranks of tech workers and tech businesses continues to swell.

According to new figures released by London & Partners, the Mayor’s promotional company, the number of digital roles is set to increase by nearly a fifth (18.5%) to 284,400 jobs by 2026.

Over the same period, the number of digital tech companies in the capital is also set to grow by a third, bringing the number of tech businesses in London to 61,800 according to the study by Oxford Economics.

The figures, which have been released to coincide with Deputy Mayor for Business Rajesh Agrawal’s trade visit to India, highlight the explosive growth of London’s tech scene which is set to outpace both the wider sector and London’s economy as a whole.

Agrawal said: “With everything London has to offer to exciting tech companies – from start-ups to established firms – it’s no surprise that this sector continues to play a crucial role in the capital’s vibrant economy.

“Over the last week I have met leading figures from Indian politics and business, including some innovative tech companies, and discussed how we strengthen the relationship between London and India.”

The international trade visit is an attempt to strengthen tech and trade ties between London and India, as the UK looks further afield for trade and investment links following the EU referendum.

Coinciding with the visit, London & Partners has launched the next round of its India Emerging 20 (IE20) programme, an initiative which attempts to unearth innovative and high growth Indian companies looking to scale internationally.