Sector Overviews
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Accountancy, Banking, Finance and Insurance
Advertising, Media, Promotion and Publishing
Agriculture, Fishing, Forestry and Food Processing
Business Management and Service Industry
Computer Services
Construction Industry
Legal Profession
Licensed Trade, Restaurants, Hotel and Catering
Manufacturing and Industrial Companies
Motor Trade
Property Services
Retail Services
Sport, Leisure and Tourism
Trade and Contract Services
Transport
Utilities - Water, Gas, Electricity, Oil and Telecom
Wholesale Distribution
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Accountancy, Banking, Finance and Insurance
Sector Overview
The UK is the world's leading international financial services centre employing over 1 million people and with net overseas earnings of £35 billion 2000 (6% of GDP). The City of London is one of world's three leading financial centres and the largest centre for many international financial markets. The City is characterised by deep, highly liquid markets, a concentration of industry-wide skilled workforce and quality, innovative products. The UK has the world's largest share in: metals market (95%); Eurobond trade (70%); foreign equity market (58%); derivative market (36%); tanker charter business (50%); insurance (22%).
Banking
The UK enjoys one of the most diverse and dynamic banking sectors in the world. It has the highest concentration of foreign banks in the world - 481 (next nearest was the USA with 287). In 2000 London accounted for 19.1% of global cross-border bank lending, more than any other centre. Total assets of the UK banking system were £3,441 bn (August 2001) of which 55% belonged to foreign banks. The assets of UK owned banks, totalling £1,336 bn are dominated by a dozen or so retail banks, with national branch networks, mostly serving domestic, personal and corporate customers
Dispute Resolution
Disputes are a fact of human life. They can be painful and costly. Efficient dispute resolution is an essential lubricant of business. Whether a dispute can be resolved privately through arbitration or mediation, or can be resolved only through litigation, London is the place you will find the most appropriate, swift, fair and cost effective process. London provides dispute resolution service in a wide range of areas including maritime and aviation, banking and insurance, commodities and construction, and oil and gas.
Fund / Asset Management
The value of identified assets under management increased by 40% between 1995 and the end of 1998 to £2.5 bn - 23% on behalf of overseas clients. Contributing factors which also provide selling points for the industry include - highly sophisticated and innovative management styles, techniques and strategies, a skilled labour force and high quality professional and support services, a highly liquid market with the opportunity to trade in large blocks of shares and an open and liberalised operating environment combined with protection against abuses.
Insurance
The UK has the world's leading insurance and reinsurance market covering common motor insurance to space satellites. The UK insurance business generated premium income of almost £174 bn. This is the third largest in the world, exceeded only by the US and Japan. The London market is a unique international wholesale insurance market-place and is the global market leader in aviation and marine insurance, with market shares of 31% and 19% respectively.
Pensions
With a rapidly ageing population the world face a pensions crisis and many countries are passing the burden for pensions provision from the state sector to the private sector. The UK has unrivalled experience in private pension funds. A far higher proportion of pension payments are provided by the private sector in the UK than in nearly any other country.
Securities
Besides a substantial domestic market in equities and bonds the UK is a major international centre for trading in the Euromarket. Eurobonds account for the majority of all bonds issued and the UK issues 60% of them and has a 70% share of the secondary market. More funds are invested in the London than the ten top European centres combined. Edinburgh is the UK's second major fund management centre and 6th largest in Europe. London is the largest centre for institutional equity management and also has the World's largest share of the OTC derivatives market at 36% with a turnover of US$275bn. The UK has 31.1% of the global Forex market with a daily turnover of US$504bn.
More foreign companies are traded on the London Stock Exchange than on any other exchange. Turnover in these companies in London represents 48% of global turnover in foreign equities.
Information for Marketers
Financial Services Authority
The Financial Services Authority is an independent body that regulates the financial services industry in the UK. The FSA has four main objectives under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000: maintaining market confidence; promoting public understanding of the financial system; the protection of consumers; and fighting financial crime. The FSA provides access to an Industry Resources Centre through its web site.
Financial Services and Markets Act
The Financial Services and Markets Act (FISMA) received Royal Assent on 14 June 2000. It provides the framework for completing the modernisation of financial services regulation announced by the Chancellor in May 1997. The Act provides the framework within which a single regulator for the financial services industry, the Financial Services Authority (FSA), will operate.
The Contacts with Industry Scheme
HM Treasury run a scheme to encourage stronger contacts between Treasury officials and all sectors of British Industry. The visits generally last one day and usually consist of a presentation by the host company followed by a discussion of issues raised.
Please note that D2 is not responsible for the content of the external sites noted above.
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Advertising, Media, Promotion and Publishing
Sector Overview
The creative and media industries in the UK generate revenues of around £112.5 billion and employ more than 1.3 million people, which is 5% of the total employed workforce. Exports contribute around £10.3 billion to the balance of trade, and the industries account for over 5% of GDP. The value of the creative industries to UK gross domestic product is therefore greater than the contribution of any of the UK's manufacturing industry.
The creative and media industries continue to benefit from high growth rates and expanding global markets. The communications revolution, increasing bandwidth and the advent of digital networks are creating new global markets, multiplying outlets and increasing consumer demand. As incomes and literacy levels rise throughout the developing world, so does the audience for English language content ad consumers of British innovation and design.
Content
Together, the UK's content industries (advertising, publishing - including electronic - computing software, games and services, music and recording, broadcasting and film) offer perhaps the best prospects of any UK industrial sector for substantial export growth. Content, in which the UK has outstanding expertise, is absolutely fundamental to the information society and knowledge economy.
Design
The Prime Minister has hailed the UK as "the design workshop of the world" and according to a survey by IDEO Europe for the Design Council, international purchasing managers ranked UK design capabilities within the top six worldwide across all design disciplines. The UK has an international reputation particularly in the areas of retail interior/exterior, branding, advertising, corporate identity, product design and multimedia. it was estimated that UK consultancies generate £1 billion in export earnings in 2000. our design education system is held in high regard internationally, reflected in the growth of overseas students (up 112% between 1994/95 and 1998/99).
Priority export markets for design are:
Marketing Communications
The UK is a centre of excellence for marketing communications services (including advertising, public relations, direct marketing, market research, exhibitions, sales promotion and sponsorship). Many British companies working in this sector have reached a level of quality and sophistication which is respected here and abroad and London is well known for its strong concentration of expertise and creativity available to meet the marketing needs of all clients. The UK is the hub of European Public Relations and accounts for approximately 10% of the world market which is valued at £10 billion. The UK is also a centre for advertising best practice and is internationally recognised as a centre of creative excellence. The UK turnover in advertising is approximately £1bn (this figures is however difficult to quantify due to the genuinely multinational basis upon which many agencies are run.) The market research industry in the UK is estimated to be worth around £900m of which 1/3 of income is generated from international business.
Performing Arts
The Performing Arts sector includes a wide range of organisations both in scope and art form. One of the most significant features of the sector is this diversity which ranges from the very small scale performance group to a large scale musical. It is this very diversity which make the sector so important in representing British culture abroad and tapping into overseas markets. The high standard of arts at present means that the time is ripe for developing overseas links. The performing arts can take advantage of this. It is clear from industry's experience that there is worldwide unsatisfied demand for the performing arts from the UK.
Information for Marketers
Advertising Association
Association of Independent Music (AIM)
Association of Professional Recording Services (APRS)
Association of Publishing Agencies
Advertising Standards Authority
British Academy of Composers and Songwriters (BACS)
British Association of Record Dealers (BARD)
British Film Institute
British Film Commission
British Interactive Multimedia Association
British Music Rights
British Market Research Association
British Phonographic Industry
Call Centre Association
Chartered Institute of Marketing
Communication Advertising & Marketing Foundation
Commercial Radio Companies Association
Committee of Advertising Practice
Communications Management Association
Confederation of British Industry
Consumer Council Postal Services
CRM Forum
Direct Selling Association
Direct Mail Information Service (DMIS)
European Leisure Software Publishers Association
Federation of European DMAs (FEDMA)
Insitute of Practitioners in Advertising
Institute of Public Relations
Institute of Sales Promotion
International Advertising Association (IAA) UK
International Federation of the Phonographic Industry
Market Research Society
Mechanical Copyright Protection Society/Performing Right Society Alliance
Musicians' Union
National Film and Television School
New Designers
Newspaper Marketing Agency
Newspaper Society
Periodical Publishers Association
PPA Export Initiative
Radio Advertising Bureau (RAB)
Radio Authority
Radiocommunications Agency
The Direct Marketing Association
The Future Foundation
The Institute of Direct Marketing
The Marketing Council
The Newspaper Society
World Advertising Research Centre (WARC)
World Forum for Digital Audio Broadcasting
Voucher Association
Please note that D2 is not responsible for the content of the external sites noted above.
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Agriculture, Fishing, Forestry and Food Processing
Sector Overview
In recent years the application of economic, environmental and consumer pressures has greatly influenced the development of the agriculture and food industries in the UK. As a result, UK agro-food production and processing technology are amongst the most advanced in the world. In turn, the support industries have developed to an equally advanced state and are thus able to provide expertise and technology to satisfy the most exacting needs of overseas markets. Within the overall provision of expertise, certain strengths have emerged which are particularly relevant to overseas agro-food industries. These include arable cropping, horticulture, livestock husbandry, food processing and post-harvest technology.
The UK is also a world leader in added value food and drink production and marketing. British food and drink companies have an excellent reputation for producing a wide range of high quality, innovative products, and special expertise and experience in developing, producing and marketing chilled, added value and convenience products.
Information for Marketers
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA)
The aim of DEFRA is to ensure that consumers benefit from competitively priced food, produced to high standards of safety, environmental care and animal welfare and from a sustainable, efficient food chain, and to contribute to the well being of rural and coastal communities.
DEFRA Farming
Information on agricultural policy, the Agrimonetary System, the pigs and pigmeat sector, agricultural employment, sustainable agriculture, rural development and schemes for livestock and crops.
DEFRA Animal and Welfare
Details on the Pet Travel Scheme and International Trade.
DEFRA Fisheries
Information on the UK fishing industry, grants and financial assistance, conservation of fish stocks, aquaculture and fish health, and the marine environment.
DEFRA Horticulture
Information on the schemes available in the horticulture sector and the work of the Horticultural Marketing Inspectorate.
DEFRA's Rural Development Programme
The Rural Development Programme provides details of schemes to conserve and improve the environment; and to enable farming, forestry and other rural businesses and communities to develop and adapt to changing circumstances.
Listed below is a selection of organisations that can offer assistance to companies in this sector. A more extensive list of associations can be found on the Trade Association Forum web site.
Agricultural Industries Confederation
21 Arlington Street
London
SW1A 1RN
Tel: 0207 495 9100
Fax: 0207 495 9150 |
Agricultural Engineers Association (AEA)
Samuelson House
Orton Centre
Paxton Road
Peterborough
Cambridgeshire
PE2 5LT
Tel: 01733 371381
Fax: 01733 370664
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British Agricultural Export Committee (BAEC)
c/o LCCI
33 Queen Street
London
EC4R 1AP
Tel: 020 7203 1820
Fax: 020 7489 0391 |
Commercial Horticultural Association (CHA)
National Agricultural Centre
Stonleigh Park
Kenilworth
Warwickshire
CV8 2LG
Tel: 01203 690330
Fax: 01203 690334
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Horticultural Trades Association
Hoticulture House
19 High Street
Theale
Reading
RG7 5AH
Tel: 0118-930 3132
Fax: 0118-932 3453 |
Meat & Livestock Commission (MLC)
PO Box 44
Winterhill House
Snowden Drive
Milton Keynes
Buckinghamshire
MK6 1AX
Tel: 01908 677577
Fax: 01908 692856 |
Please note that D2 is not responsible for the content of the external sites noted above.
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Business Management and Service Industry
Information for Marketers
Listed below is a selection of organisations that can offer assistance to companies in this sector.
Association of Exhibition Organisers (AEO)
British Exhibition Contractors Association (BECA)
Business Link
Business Services Association (BSA)
Cleaning and Support Services Association (CSSA)
Institute of Management Consultants (IMC)
Institute of Practitioners in Advertising (IPA)
Institute of Public Relations (IPR)
Management Consultancies Association (MCA)
Market Research Society (MRS)
Public Relations Consultants Association (PRCA)
Please note that D2 is not responsible for the content of the external sites noted above.
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Computer Services
Sector Overview
New technologies are transforming the business landscape. Software is central to our work, leisure and communications and increasingly affects every aspect of living. The software industry now accounts for around 3% of the UK's gross domestic product, and its impact is even greater as a source of innovation and new thinking.
The UK market has consistently performed better than the European average and this reflects the willingness of businesses in the UK to embrace the demands of technology spending. This is one reason why the UK has emerged as a key location for software investment, with all of the major global players now found here.
The sheer size and strength of the UK software and computer services market - over one million people are employed in Information Communication Technology (ICT) - demonstrates its potential in the UK.
Information for Marketers
The Information Age Partnership
Intellect
International Growth
The British Computer Society
E-Skills review of the ICT Labour Market
Please note that D2 is not responsible for the content of the external sites noted above.
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Construction Industry
Sector Overview
The UK construction industry provides a tenth of the UK GDP and employs 1.4 million people. UK designers, civil engineers, contractors, component and product manufacturers have a world-wide reputation for quality. The UK construction industry is one of the strongest in the world, with output ranked in the global top ten. With the increase in private finance to public sector projects, British consultants & contractors are well positioned to offer skills & experience in PFI projects & can also provide high-tech solutions to environmental, transport & building projects.
Information for Marketers
Constructing Excellence
Rethinking Construction is the name of a report & major industry-led initiative to improve construction industry performance. The Strategic Forum for Construction, chaired by Peter Rogers, oversees the initiative. Constructing Excellence brings together the Rethinking Construction agenda & the Construction Best Practice Programme under one banner to deliver construction industry reform. It is a first point of contact for information & activities on construction improvement techniques. Its remit is to continue implementing the Rethinking Construction initiative through a well-developed network of best practice clubs & demonstration projects across England & Wales.
Quality Mark
Quality Mark aims to raise the standard of workmanship in the domestic repair, maintenance & improvement sector. Under the scheme consumers can select reputable domestic contractors who have shown to independent assessors that they work to a high standard. As well as benefiting consumers, Quality Mark benefits the contractors registered with the scheme.
Constructionline
Constructionline is the UK's largest register of pre-qualified construction contractors/consultants & is designed to make the procurement process more efficient for both clients & contractors/consultants. Constructionline's 1400+ clients have direct access to the database.
The following organisations can offer assistance to organisations in the construction sector.
British Constructional Steelwork Association
Chartered Institute of Building
Chartered Institute of Building Services Engineers
Construction Equipment Association
Construction Industry Council
Construction Products Association
Federation of Environmental Trade Associations
Institution of Civil Engineers
Institution of Structural Engineers
Royal Institute of British Architects
Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors
Please note that D2 is not responsible for the content of the external sites noted above.
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Legal Profession
Sector Overview
There are just under 100,000 lawyers working in the UK today. The biggest City law firm in London employs nearly 3,000 solicitors, while a private practice on your local high street might have only one or two people. Equally, the annual turnover of various solicitors' firms ranges from £50,000 per year to £1 billion.
The greatest area of employment in this sector is in England and Wales, with significant numbers in Ireland and Scotland. There are three different legal systems in the UK, with Northern Ireland and Scotland having separate systems from England and Wales. Legal professionals may work in the court system, firms of solicitors, barristers' chambers (advocates in Scotland), private companies, central and local government and other organisations.
Global and international firms operate on a truly worldwide basis with offices in London and many countries within and outside Europe. National firms have offices in many of the major cities in the UK, often in London. They have many similarities to City firms, generally handling commercial cases but without the international element. Medium sized firms are present in most major cities in England and Wales, dealing with most of the local commercial and private client work as well as offering expertise in some specialised areas. Many have offices in the west end of London. High street firms tend to be small firms of partners handling work for local businesses and people. Work may involve family issues, wills, tax, crime, employment as well as legal aid. Specialised or 'niche' firms are small firms dealing with a very specific area of law. This is regarded as a growth area within the profession.
Information for Marketers
American Bar Association
BAILLI - British and Irish Legal Information Institute
Bar Council of England and Wales
Bar European Group
British Institute of International and Comparative Law (BIICL)
Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution
Charity Explorer
Criminal Law Solicitors Association
Department for Consitutional Affairs (formerly Lord Chancellor's Department)
European Association of Lawyers (AEA)
Forum of Insurance Lawyers
Home Office
Immigration Law Practitioners Association (European Group)
Institute of Legal Executives
International Bar Association
International Court of Justice (UN)
International Fiscal Association
International Law Association (ILA)
Law Socety of Ireland
Law Society of Northern Ireland
Law Society of Scotland
Legal Action Group
Society for Computers and Law
Society of Trusts and Estate Practitioners (STEP)
Solicitors Family Law Association
Solicitors for Independent Financial Advice
The Chartered Institute of Patent Agents (CIPA)
The Institute of Trade Mark Attorneys
Union of European Lawyers (UAE)
Young Solicitors Group (YSG)
Please note that D2 is not responsible for the content of the external sites noted above.
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Licensed Trade, Restaurants, Hotel and Catering
Sector Overview
The hospitality industry employs around 1.8 million people, of which 124,000 have a second job in hospitality. Restaurants employ 410,800, Pubs, clubs and bars employ 271,800, Hotels 222,100 and contract catering 129,000.
91% of establishments employ less than 10 people, while organisations employing over 25 people account for only 3% of establishments but 45% of all staff.
Recruitment difficulties remain an acute problem with shortages of chefs, cooks and kitchen porters. Average pay rates for males in the restaurant industry are £130 per week lower than average, and for females they are £70 per week lower.
Draught lager accounts for 33.4% of UK beer sales (compared to 7.1% in 1971)
Consumer spending on food and drink is currently valued at over £130 billion. THe premium end of the market is the key driver for growth. We are increasingly valuing the non-price attributes of food and are willing to pay for quality, convenience, variety, status and sometimes even novelty. Differentiating between consumers and spotting future trends for new product development demands bright people who think ahead and understand the consumer mind.
An increasing customer demand for healthy food and foods with positive health benefits is likely to increase. Whether for preventative or damage-limitation purposes, functional foods are growing. Demands for ethical manufacture, environmentally friendly production methods, organic production and authentic regional ingredients continue to shape the industry. Careers in food safety, ingredient science and nutrition, laboratory analysis and sensory testing are growing. Increasingly, stringent food safety and hygiene regulations, following the scares of the 90s, have made food safer than it's ever been.
The retail industry is seeing a major shift towards more service choice for customers and self service opportunities. Non-food contributions are also a major focus and driver for the short term future. Technological developments will also continue, including electronic tagging in supply chain management and allowing changes to be understood and processed directly from head office.
Recent consolidation within the food retail sectors is also likely to continue. The place of the convenience store could however pose an interesting new challenge to big box retailing.
Information for Marketers
British Hospitality Association
British Beer and Pub Association
British Institute of Innkeeping
Catering Equipment Suppliers Association
Health Food Manufacturers' Association
Restaurant Association
Please note that D2 is not responsible for the content of the external sites noted above.
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Manufacturing and Industrial Companies
Sector Overview
Manufacturing includes food products; textiles; apparel; wood products; paper and paper products; publishing; fuels; chemicals; rubber and plastic; metal fabrication; machinery; electrical, electronic, medical and optical equipment; vehicles; and recycling.
Manufacturing is declining in importance, but still accounts for 17.5% of gross value added and for 14.5% of employment (over 3.7 million people). The Midlands has the highest proportion of manufacturing employment (21%), and London the lowest (7%). After a recession in the early 90's growth has resumed, driven by electrical and optical equipment (68% growth between 1992 and 2001), and chemicals and man-made fibres (31% growth). Other sectors such as textiles continue to decline.
The UK is one of the European leaders in contract manufacture of electronic goods and the pharmaceutical industry represents about 25% of all UK manufacturing R&D(c. £3billion p.a.). Car production has increased by 21% since 1991, and exports account for 60% Over 47 per cent (£2.9 billion) of turnover in the wood and wood products industry was in builders' carpentry and joinery. A total of 119,000 new and revised book titles are published each year in the UK. 13,000 of these are categorised as fiction, 10,700 as children's books and 5,500 as history.
Information for Marketers
Biscuit Cake Chocolate & Confectionery Alliance
Brewing, Food & Beverage Industry Supplies Association
British Furniture Manufacturers
British Metals Recycling Association
British Rubber Manufacturers Association Ltd
British Textile Machinery Association
British Woodworking Federation
Confederation of British Metalforming
Construction Products Association
Defence Manufacturers Association
Engineering Employers' Federation
Food and Drink Federation
General Aviation Manufacturers and Traders Association Ltd
Manufacturing Technologies Association (MTA)
Metal Packaging Manufacturers Association
The Trade Associations Forum
Please note that D2 is not responsible for the content of the external sites noted above.
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Motor Trade
Sector Overview
The automotive industry is a pivotal part of the UK manufacturing sector. Automotive firms are leaders in global best practice in many areas of manufacturing and provide a key source of improvement for the UK manufacturing sector as a whole. Altogether eight companies manufacture cars in volume in the UK, together with seven truck and van manufacturers and many of the world's major component manufacturers. The UK is home to the world's most successful motorsport industry and a number of leading independent automotive design firms, and is increasingly becoming a centre for engine production.
Automotive businesses are leaders in many areas of manufacturing, purchasing, product development and logistics. Major inward investors have brought with them world best practice and the skills and knowledge of the industry provide a key source for improvement across the UK manufacturing sector as a whole.
The automotive manufacturing sector contributes around £8.5bn added value to the economy, and accounts for 1.1% of GDP, 6.2% of manufacturing value-added and 9.5% of total UK exports of goods. Some 243,000 people are employed in the design and manufacture of vehicles and components, and a further 544,000 in the motor trades which supply, service and repair vehicles in the UK.
In 2003, over 1.65 million cars and 189,000 commercial vehicles were produced in the UK. Of these some two thirds of the cars and half of the commercial vehicles were exported to a variety of markets. Europe is the main destination, with significant sales in North America, and specialist luxury marques sold worldwide.
Information for Marketers
The following organisations can offer assistance to organisations in the Automotive sector. A more extensive list of Trade Associations in this sector can be found at the Auto Industry Site.
Please note that D2 is not responsible for the content of the external sites noted above.
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Property Services
Sector Overview
The UK construction, building and property services industry provides a tenth of the UK GDP and employs approximately 2 million people. UK designers, civil engineers, contractors, component and product manufacturers have a world-wide reputation for quality. The UK construction industry is one of the strongest in the world, with output ranked in the global top ten. With the increase in private finance to public sector projects, British consultants & contractors are well positioned to offer skills & experience in PFI projects & can also provide high-tech solutions to environmental, transport & building projects.
Information for Marketers
British Constructional Steelwork Association
Chartered Institute of Building
Chartered Institute of Building Services Engineers
Constructing Excellence
Constructionline
Construction Equipment Association
Construction Industry Council
Construction Products Association
Federation of Environmental Trade Associations
Institution of Civil Engineers
Institution of Structural Engineers
Royal Institute of British Architects
Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors
The Trade Associations Forum
Quality Mark
Please note that D2 is not responsible for the content of the external sites noted above.
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Retail Services
Sector Overview
Retailing is the UK's top service industry, employing around 3 million people in the UK (around 11% of the UK workforce). In 2002, the sector had £230 billion in sales (35% of total consumer spending). Some of the UK's world-class companies have also seen considerable success in overseas markets. The retail sector is a major user of new business to business, and business to consumer technologies and a pioneer of e-commerce. Retailing is changing both in horizontal and vertical terms. Traditional product boundaries have altered and strict lines have dissolved.
Information for Marketers
Competitive Analysis of the Retail Sector in the UK
An overview report on the retail sector in the UK, commissioned by the DTI and undertaken by the University of Stirling, Institute for retail studies was launched at a DTI seminar on the retail sector on 20 January 2003. Entitled 'Competitive Analysis of the Retail Sector in the UK' the report is based on an analysis of secondary sources and restricted to the UK rather than international comparisons.
Please note that D2 is not responsible for the content of the external sites noted above.
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Sport, Leisure and Tourism
Sector Overview
The tourism, sports and leisure industries play a major role in the economic life of Britain. The UK is well supplied with world-renowned sporting venues, such as Wimbledon, Twickenham, Lords, and Hampden Park. "Traditional British" sports equipment such as cricket bats, golf equipment and hockey sticks are popular UK exports, key export markets being Germany, USA, Italy, France and the Netherlands.
Government Relations with the Tourism, Sport and Leisure Goods and Services Sector - responsibility for this sector falls to the Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), and UK Trade & Investment.
The Department of Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS)
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport aims to improve the quality of life for all through cultural and sporting activities and through the strengthening of the creative industries. Further information on sports policy, arts, built heritage, the film industry, museums and galleries, and domestic tourism (including hotels) click to their web site.
Information for Marketers
DCMS Sport
DCMS policies help to deliver Government's 'sport for all' policy and realise its ambitions for sporting success at the highest levels. The Department oversees the work of Sport England and UK Sport and helps set the Government strategy for a whole range of sporting issues, from sport in schools to international sports policy. Information on specific initiatives can be found in the Sports section of the DCMS web site or email Sport enquiries sport@culture.gov.uk.
Sport England
Sport England is responsible for developing and maintaining the infrastructure of sport in England and for distributing National Lottery funds.
DCMS Tourism
DCMS aims to be the champion of tourism in Government and, in 1999, published Tomorrow's Tourism with a host of new policies. DCMS sponsor the British Tourist Authority to promote Britain abroad, to improve quality and to encourage tourism's wise growth. Information on specific initiatives can be found in the Tourism section of the DCMS web.
DCMS Heritage, Libraries and Museums
DCMS is responsible for the conservation and enhancement of the UK's historic environment and rich inheritance. DCMS also sponsors 17 national museums and galleries and is responsible for museum policy in England. In addition, DCMS has statutory responsibility to superintend the delivery of the English public library service by local authorities and promote its development.
Please note that D2 is not responsible for the content of the external sites noted above.
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Trade and Contract Services
Information for Marketers
The Trade Associations Forum
Please note that D2 is not responsible for the content of the external sites noted above.
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Transport
Sector Overview
Transport includes land, water and air. People travel an average of 11,000km a year within the UK, making an average of 1,019 trips, and spending 360 hours travelling. Car travel accounts for 85% of passenger mileage. Most freight is carried by road, (81% of tonnage). 26% of households have no car, 46% of households have one car, 22% two cars, and 5% three or more. There are 392,408 kilometres of road in Great Britain, of which 3,472km (<1%) is motorway, 46,550 (12%) is major roads, and 342,386km (87%) is minor roads (B,C and unclassified). England accounts for 76% of all roads, and 84% of all motorway.
There are around 20 thousand licensed taxis in London, and around 42 thousand outside London. Almost all bus services are provided by private operators, although 17 bus companies are owned by local authorities. 31% of all local bus journeys in Great Britain take place in London. It costs an average of 99p per vehicle kilometre to operate a local bus service. Local authority support for local bus services amounts to £470million in reimbursement of concessionary fares, and £386million of public transport support.
The world's first passenger railway service ran in Britain in 1825. As in other countries over the past 150 years the railway industry developed; but significantly over the past 10 years the industry has been transformed. Today passenger and freight services in Britain are privately operated. The railway industry is growing strongly and companies have total capability to plan, design, develop and finance railway projects world-wide. The British approach is distinguished by being commercial and cost effective. Public private partnerships are a particular strength, and companies welcome collaborative arrangements, whereby each of the parties can leverage their strengths to develop new railways or equally important, to make existing railways more effective. Rail infrastructure includes 32,000km of track; 40,000 bridges, tunnels and viaducts; 2,500 stations; and connections to over 1,000 freight terminals. Rail freight totals 19.7 billion tonne-kilometres. Over 80% of traffic by volume are in bulk commodities, mainly coal, coke, iron and steel, building materials and petroleum.
Air passenger traffic is expected to continue growing by 4-5% p.a. and air freight by 7%. The UK airports industry has been at the forefront of airport development from the early 1900s right up to the present day. It now has around 100,000 employees. Our strengths cover all the airport disciplines: Design; Project Management; Construction; Security Systems; Specialist Equipment Manufacture and Commissioning to Privatisation; Operations; Maintenance and Training. British airport companies have worked all over the world, not only on design and construction projects such as the new Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong, John F Kennedy (New York) and Madrid airports, but more recently in the operation, ownership and commercial development of international airports. The UK was the first to privatise its' airports and can offer any privatisation model which is suitable to a particular country's requirements. The UK also leads the market in the commercial development of airports achieving revenues per passenger that set an industrial benchmark. The main UK operators are involved in airports in the USA, Australia, Oman, Italy, Denmark, Sweden, Germany and the Czech Republic. World market value over the next 5 years or more is around $500bn.
Inland waterways are now used mainly for recreation, but also carry 49.0million tonnes of goods (1.7b tonne-kilometres)
By weight, 95% of UK trade is carried by sea (75% by value). The shipping industry earns £3.7b p.a., of which £2.8b from freight £0.3b from charter and £0.6 billion from passenger traffic. As a result of the dramatic changes, in particular privatisation, it now has one of the most diverse port industries in the world ranging from major dock installations, terminals and wharves to fishing ports, recreational harbours and marinas. Together they handle more than 300,000 shipping movements a year, some 600 million tonnes of freight and 36 million international passenger journeys. Over one generation there has been a 75% increase in traffic and in commercial terms, 95% of UK freight by tonnage arrives or leaves by sea.
Information for Marketers
British Air Transport Association
British International Freight Association
Confederation of Passenger Transport
Railway Forum
Road Haulage Association
Freight Transport Association
Trade Association Forum
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Utilities - Water, Gas, Electricity, Oil and Telecom
Sector Overview
Water
The UK water industry (including the water utilities, contractors, consultants, equipment manufacturers, lawyers and financiers) are active players in world markets where their skills and expertise (particularly with regard to private sector participation in water provision) are much in demand. In these international markets the UK's strengths are judged to be in the fields of operation, environmental management, investment, legal and regulatory expertise, training, research and plant and equipment.
The water industry supplies 18,000 million litres of water per day, of which 75% is obtained from mountain lakes, reservoirs and river intakes; and about 25% from underground. Around £3 billion per year is invested in improving the water supply and sewerage services. The total length of water mains and sewers in the UK is enough to stretch to the moon and back. The water industry employs around 44,000. 99.86% of water samples meet the required standard. A glass of water costs 0.04p, enough water for a bath 11p and for a shower 5p.
The Global market for water products and services is now worth some US $200 -$300 billion per year. Some analysts predict that British water companies are poised to occupy global leadership positions in this market.
Oil & Gas
Although energy consumption is rising at 1.8% p.a., production in 2001 fell by 3.9% in 2001. Oil production fell by 7.6%, and gas production by 2.4%. The oil & gas industry accounts for 85% of the UK's total primary energy production. The offshore oil and gas industry in the UK supports some 264,800 jobs, over 30% in Scotland (6% of the total Scottish workforce), and 26% in London and the South East .The UK will lose its self-sufficiency in both oil and gas during the current decade.
Whilst gas field exploration and developments use similar technology to oil, the gas sector is different economically. The high cost of transporting gas (up to ten times the cost of transporting oil) means that gas field developments cannot be considered in isolation, but need to be developed in conjunction with investment in transportation infrastructure (pipelines or liquefaction systems) and the related demand markets. Thus gas prices and contracts are often specific to a locality - country or region. The exception to this is where the gas sector - markets and infrastructure are well developed - as in the UK, Europe and US - where, with suitable de-regulation, there can be more of a genuine market-driven price.
There is increasing interest in gas world wide, with demand for gas currently growing and forecast to grow at a higher rate than oil over the next two decades. This is being driven partly by the availability of gas and its attractions on environmental grounds. It is also leading to increasing interest and development of Gas To Liquids technology in which gas is converted to a more concentrated liquid form to facilitate the exploitation of remote and smaller gas reserves. Major oil companies such as Shell are moving into gas, seeing declining business opportunities in non-OPEC countries. Further, the importance of power generation as a market for gas is encouraging companies to become involved in both gas and power utilities. Net exports of crude oil and natural gas were worth £7 billion in 2003.
Telecomms
Since opening up to competition, the UK Communications market has become one of the most dynamic in the world, with new technologies such as wireless and broadband internet continuing to drive market growth. Despite the global Communications meltdown, the UK has proved to be one of the fastest growing markets. In 2002, the UK communications sector still managed to grow by 1% (Keynote 2002). The UK Communications market was worth US$58 billion in 2002 (EITO 2003) and is forecast to increase by 4.6% in 2003 to reach a value of US$60 billion (Keynote 2002).
The four GSM operators (O2, Vodafone, T-Mobile & Orange) were joined in March 2003 by the first 3G operator, 3. The other operators expect to roll out their 3G networks during 2004. There are some 30 million subscribers using "pay-as-you-go" mobiles. A key driver in this growth is the emergence of "virtual" operators such as Virgin.
UK mobile companies also have a history of innovation. Vodafone provided the 1st analogue mobile service, the world's first digital service, and was the first to offer data, voicemail and SMS.
The Government has encouraged the use of Wi-Fi. Deregulation has allowed public network operators to use certain parts of the spectrum that are exempt from licensing for Wireless LAN (Wi-Fi) type systems. As a result, "hotspots" have developed in sites throughout the country, such as coffee shops, transport hubs and hotels.
The UK has 8 of the 10 leading global telecom equipment manufacturers. These companies have significant manufacturing or an R&D presence. The UK has a trade surplus in telecoms equipment.
But it is not just large global companies - because there is such a big presence from the large manufacturers this has promoted the growth of a number of smaller and medium sized companies specialising in leading edge technology such as location services software and optoelectronics.
Information for Marketers
Association of Electricity Producers
British Water
Oil & Gas
Society of British Gas Industries
Telecommunications Industry Association
Trade Association Forum
Water UK
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Wholesale Distribution
Sector Overview
There are over 107,000 enterprises engaged in wholesaling, employing 1.18m, and with a turnover of £375m.
28% of the retail/wholesale industry is selling on line, and 28% buying online.
Information for Marketers
Association of Convenience Stores
British Retail Consortium
British Frozen Food Federation
British Shop & Stores Association
Electrical Distributors Association
Trade Association Forum
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