Irish top list of foreign company directors in the UK

Irish ex-pats continue to top the list of foreign company directors in the UK, with new research showing the number of Irish directors in Britain has surpassed 50,000 for the first time.

The 2014 Eulogy! foreign directors report found Irish people account for more than 16 per cent of foreign company directors in the UK.

With 50,877 directors in the UK, the Irish take first place in the league of foreign directors with more than double the number of directors from India, which takes second place. Americans come in third with 18,278 directors in the UK.

The research by the Irish-owned, UK-based communications firm also reveals that the number of female Irish directors in the UK has increased by almost ten per cent, closing the gender gap that now sits at 2:1.

Another finding from the report is the growth in the number of Irish directors in the 36 – 40 age group, which has seen a 16 per cent increase compared to 2013. However, the 18-25 age group has seen a decrease of ten per cent.

Eulogy chief executive Adrian Brady said the foreign directors report reiterates the major Irish contribution to British business and the close ties between the two countries.

“According to data collected over the past five years the number of Irish directors continues to show strong growth year-on-year. It’s clear that we play a key role in British business, a positive sign which presents future opportunities for Irish businesses and the Government to engage with the many companies which have these strong Irish connections,” he said.