UK’s Big Brain‑Boost: £150 Million to Put AI in the Heart of Professional Services
In a bold move that sounds almost like a plot twist in a corporate thriller, the UK government has just splashed over £150 million on five AI‑powered programmes aimed at turbo‑charging the country’s professional and business services (PBS) sector. Think legal, consulting, and accountancy are moving from “old‑school” to “high‑tech” with a big‑budget boost.
Why It Matters
- £300 billion a year – that’s the value of the PBS sector in the UK.
- It supports 1 in every 7 jobs, making it a major lifeline for the economy.
- UK is the world’s second‑largest exporter of professional services, just behind the US.
These figures prompted the government to put the PBS bucket at the core of its modern Industrial Strategy. The aim? Make the UK the go‑to place for top‑level advice, innovation, and global expansion by 2035.
Meet the Players
Poppy Gustafsson CBE – Minister for Investment – will swing by the University of Edinburgh on Tuesday, chatting up the Law Society of Scotland about how AI is reshaping legal practice and why Scotland is a top hotspot for world‑class PBS firms.
Jonathan Reynolds, Secretary of State for Business and Trade, said:
“The PBS sector is the crown jewel of the UK economy, worth over £300bn a year and backing one in every seven jobs. Our Industrial Strategy will help it soar, making the industry the most dynamic and innovative worldwide.”
What the Funding Will Do
- Launch a new Made Smarter digital adoption programme tailored for PBS.
- Boost Innovate UK’s Next Generation Professional Services – a push‑line that advises firms on tech adoption and research.
- Open five centre‑of‑excellence hubs across Birmingham, Glasgow, and other key cities to give firms on‑site advice and support.
- Create a national AI skills hub offering training and expertise.
- Kick off a research programme to crack innovation barriers – starting with real‑estate tech.
Why This Is a Game‑Changer
By putting AI at the core, the plan aims to spark more private investment in PBS. In the end, the UK won’t just be an AI “follower”; it’ll become a leading AI maker in the professional services arena.
Other Boosts on the Table
- GREAT + marketing push for PBS.
- More PBS firms joining government trade missions.
- Expanded support for regulators to secure mutual recognition of professional qualifications, especially with the EU, US, and other markets.
- Trade Digitalisation Task Force guiding firms on digital trade efficiencies.
- UK Export Finance guarantees to help PBS firms land early overseas projects.
- By summer 2025, a dedicated PBS AI Champion will identify growth opportunities and clear adoption roadblocks.
Industry Voices
Iain Wright, ICAEW – “The Industrial Strategy is a pivotal moment in British business and government partnership. It will make the UK the most trusted PBS economy by 2035.”
Kirsty Newman, Deloitte UK Market Chair – “This plan puts PBS at the forefront of tech innovation and lifts its global presence.”
Tamzen Isacsson, MCA Chief Executive – “It accelerates tech adoption, upskills our workforce, and cements UK’s service‑industry leadership.”
Richard Atkinson, Law Society President – “The new strategy will be a game‑changer for the legal industry, driving growth and opening global markets.”
Ready to Get Involved?
Keep a close watch on the PBS sector’s next moves – after all, the future of professional services in the UK is looking sharper and smarter than ever.
