Most Profitable Industries in the UK in 2021

1. Banks in the UK

Total Profit for 2021: $15.0B

Retail and commercial banks generate most of their revenue by charging interest on loans, while a secondary source of revenue is represented by non-interest income from card fees and overdraft fees. Although economic uncertainty since the EU referendum in June 2016 limited demand from home mortgages to an extent, while subdued business confidence reduced demand for commercial loans, prior to the outbreak of COVID-19 (coronavirus) the industry was expanding at a moderate pace. Personal lending grew as consumers became increasingly reliant on debt to fund spending. However, a stricter regulatory environment, including increased capital requirements introduced under the Basel III... Learn More

2. Legal Activities in the UK

Total Profit for 2021: $10.6B

Solicitors, barristers, patent agents, notaries and bailiffs carry out legal activities on behalf of private and corporate clients. Over the five years through 2020-21, industry revenue is expected to rise at a compound annual rate of 0.2%. Widespread business uncertainty following the EU referendum, a decline in merger and acquisition activity and falling residential property transactions limited industry growth over the period. In the current year, revenue is anticipated to fall by 4.5% to £35.2 billion due to the negative effects of the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic on the economy. However, this industry is countercyclical, meaning that demand for legal work... Learn More

3. Computer Consultants in the UK

Total Profit for 2021: $9.0B

The Computer Consultants industry is composed of businesses that provide expert advice and assistance in planning and designing computer systems that integrate computer hardware, software and communication technologies. Computer consultants provide services to clients in all sectors of the economy, although clients within the financial services sector and the public sector are particularly important markets. Demand for industry services is largely influenced by business confidence levels, which rise and fall with general economic conditions, and technological advancements, particularly those that are beneficial to businesses.

With the exception of a plateau in the current year caused by the global economic slowdown generated... Learn More

4. Construction Contractors in the UK

Total Profit for 2021: $8.0B

Operators in the Construction Contractors industry are active across the building construction and civil engineering markets. While, by broad definition, operators are remunerated for completing new building and infrastructure construction contracts, or for fulfilling maintenance, repair, renovation and remodelling contract obligations, the spectrum of services offered by civils and general building contractors in this industry is multifaceted. Some contractors focus on the construction of new dwellings, while civil engineering specialists afford clients services across the infrastructure value chain. Meanwhile, some contractors specialise in commercial building activity, while many independent contractors may focus on small-scale maintenance contracts in local markets.

Prior to... Learn More

5. Security & Commodity Contracts Brokerage in the UK

Total Profit for 2021: $8.0B

Brokers in the Security and Commodity Contracts Brokerage industry deal in financial markets on the behalf of others. Industry operators do not deal in markets on their own account or manage portfolios. Industry revenue has declined over the past five years; however, industry revenue in the base year was distorted by large stock markets sell offs in the year. Volatility in the industry has remained very high, which has at times benefited the industry. Demand for industry services is expected to be slightly erratic in the current year, as volatility related to the spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus) increases trading volumes... Learn More

6. Management Consultants in the UK

Total Profit for 2021: $7.7B

The Management Consultants industry covers a broad range of consulting services, including strategic and organisational planning, marketing, IT, human resource consulting and business process management. Over the five years through 2020-21, industry revenue is expected to grow at a compound annual rate of 3.6% to reach £64.1 billion. This growth has been largely driven by rising demand for IT consulting services. In addition, regulatory changes in the financial services sector, the industry's largest downstream market, have benefited the industry, as banks and other financial institutions have required assistance to reformulate business strategies and operations in order to comply with new... Learn More

7. Building Project Development in the UK

Total Profit for 2021: $7.5B

Operators in the Building Project Development industry bring together the financial, technical and physical resources required to complete a property development. Upon completion, the property may be delivered to a client for subsequent use or sale, or the developer may retain equity interest and derive income via rental fees charged. The financial and operational performance of development markets rests on a number of economic and socio-economic factors, ranging from property valuations and price movements to market sentiment and credit conditions.

Industry revenue is estimated to increase at a compound annual rate of 2.8% over the five years through 2020-21, to reach... Learn More

8. New Car & Light Motor Vehicle Dealers in the UK

Total Profit for 2021: $7.2B

The industry performed strongly in the base year of the period. Rising incomes and low fuel prices encouraged motorists to purchase new cars, with new car registrations reaching record levels in 2016. Cheap finance deals, the wider availability of new technologies in new cars and the improved fuel economy offered by new models contributed to the industry's strong revenue performance. However, a period of economic uncertainty since the EU referendum has contributed to a fall in new car sales. Overall, revenue is expected to decrease at a compound annual rate of 4.9% to reach £101 billion over the five years... Learn More

9. General Insurance in the UK

Total Profit for 2021: $4.8B

Businesses in this industry underwrite general insurance policies relating to property, casualty, liability, motor vehicles and other general risks. The premiums they earn from these activities are then invested to generate additional income. The industry provides services to both private and commercial clients. Underwriting life and disability do not fall within this industry, although general health insurance does.

Over the five years through 2020-21, industry revenue is expected to decline at a compound annual rate of 1.6%. Similarly, revenue is expected to decline by 0.8% in 2020-21, to £71 billion. The declines were caused by a large stock market sell off... Learn More

10. Supermarkets in the UK

Total Profit for 2021: $4.7B

Changing shopping habits, the aggressive expansion of discount supermarkets and increased external competition have all influenced industry performance over the past five years. Prices have been cut by the largest operators since the start of the price war in a highly competitive environment. The national lockdowns and closure of the hospitality sector due to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic in the current year has driven a reliance on supermarkets to supply the nation with food throughout disruptions caused by government restrictions. Industry revenue is expected to grow at a compound annual rate of 0.5% over the five years through 2020-21.

Discounters supermarkets... Learn More