Industries with Least Riskiest Business Environments in United Kingdom in 2026

• 1. Renewable Electricity Generation in the UK

  Business Environment Risk for 2026: 3

  Greater awareness about the effects of climate change has driven an aggressive decarbonising strategy spearheaded by renewables. Government targets and incentives encourage major investment in renewable assets among UK energy giants. Technology developments have boosted potential generating capacity, particularly in offshore wind, which has grown the fastest of all renewable energy sources. According to the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, the share of electricity generated by maj...

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• 2. Investment Trusts in the UK

  Business Environment Risk for 2026: 3

  Investment trusts have navigated a turbulent environment over recent years, characterised by regulatory changes and uncertain economic conditions. While demand for investment trusts has stayed fairly strong, alternative investment vehicles like open-ended investment companies have put pressure with their competitive prices, encouraging investment trusts to band together through consolidation to drive down fees charged thanks to economies of scale.

  Revenue is expected to grow at a compo...

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• 3. Private Equity in the UK

  Business Environment Risk for 2026: 3

  The UK is the largest European centre for the management of private equity (PE) investments and funds, second only to the US in terms of global importance. PE firms pool investment funds or use leverage to purchase other companies. Their goal is to improve a company's performance by introducing managerial and operational changes, before selling the company for a profit. More CEOs are wanting to retain control of their companies, increasing the number of minority stake buyouts. PE firms profit...

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• 4. Agricultural Insurance in the UK

  Business Environment Risk for 2026: 3

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• 5. Medical & Orthopaedic Supplies Retailers in the UK

  Business Environment Risk for 2026: 3

  Over the five years through 2025–26, industry revenue is projected to surge at a compound annual rate of 19.7% to reach £2.3 billion. The UK’s medical and orthopaedic supplies retailers have benefitted from a dramatic demographic shift, with the ONS data from June 2023 showing that 18.6% of the UK population were aged 65 or over. Major chains have responded by expanding their high-street and digital presence, investing in telehealth, home-monitoring technology and higher-margin own-brand prod...

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• 6. Non-Alcoholic Beer Production in the UK

  Business Environment Risk for 2026: 3

  Non-Alcoholic Beer Production in the UK is experiencing lift-off. Sales of alcohol-free beers are booming as Brits increasingly moderate their drinking, with health and financial pressures driving cutbacks in alcohol consumption. Younger consumers are leading the change, driven by wellness culture and a desire to avoid post-drinking anxiety as health awareness grows. Major brewers have moved quickly to cement their place, rolling out alcohol-free versions of favourites like Stella Artois, Per...

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• 7. Precision Agriculture Systems & Services in the UK

  Business Environment Risk for 2026: 3

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• 8. Reinsurance in the UK

  Business Environment Risk for 2026: 3

  Reinsurers' revenue is expected to have crept upwards at a compound annual rate of 2.6% to £24.8 billion over the past five years; this includes a forecast rise of 3.4% in 2025-26. A rise in bulk annuity sales, as pension funds seek to remove risk from their balance sheets, is driving life insurance sales, supporting industry revenue growth. The Solvency UK regulation, introduced in December 2024, has reduced the risk margin requirement. This makes it easier for reinsurers to support large bu...

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• 9. Electricity Distribution in the UK

  Business Environment Risk for 2026: 3

  Electricity distribution network operators (DNOs) operate regional monopolies, so pricing in the industry is heavily regulated by Ofgem in Great Britain and the Northern Ireland Authority for Utility Regulation (NIAUR) in Northern Ireland. In the United Kingdom, there are currently 15 different DNOs managed by six operators and 19 independent distribution network operators (IDNOs) working primarily to connect new housing, commercial and industrial premises to existing networks.

  Revenue...

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• 10. Kitchen Furniture Manufacturing in the UK

  Business Environment Risk for 2026: 3

  The range of products churned out by kitchen furniture manufacturers is fairly broad, from flat-packs or bespoke kitchens to upholstered and un-upholstered chairs. Industry revenue is forecast to climb at a compound annual rate of 3.3% over the five years through 2024-25 to reach £3.7 billion. Kitchen renovations came to a standstill in the wake of the pandemic, with builders unable to enter people's homes to carry out work, causing a slump in revenue in 2020-21. However, a surge in household...

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