Cardiff has accumulated a wide array of accolades over recent years. In 2023, it was credited as one of the UK’s top 10 cities for workplace satisfaction. It was also named one of the UK’s fastest-improving cities in the Demos-PwC Good Growth for Cities Index.

As such, it’s no surprise that the Welsh capital is so popular among new and established businesses.

But there’s one industry in particular that thrives here. If you work in finance, it’s well worth opening an office in Cardiff.

Cardiff has one of the UK’s largest financial and professional services sectors outside of London. It employs over a quarter of the city’s workforce.

In this article, we will explore why Cardiff is so well-suited to finance businesses. These reasons include its skilled workforce, competitive costs, supportive ecosystem, and more.

Another major draw is the city’s vast array of modern workspace. To help you get up and running as quickly as possible, we’ll also share some of our top picks for serviced office spaces in Cardiff.

Cardiff’s thriving business environment

As the capital city, Cardiff is Wales’s primary hub for commerce, culture, and retail. There’s no doubt that Cardiff’s business scene is thriving on many fronts.

Ongoing investment in the city’s infrastructure has enabled businesses in many industries to flourish. This is particularly true in finance, creative arts, life sciences, and manufacturing.

For instance, the financial and professional services sector alone generates £3.5 billion of output each year. The creative and digital industries contribute another £1 billion.

Virtual Cabinet’s research also ranks Cardiff as the third-best city in the UK for accountants to live and work. This puts it behind only London and Manchester.

Cardiff’s economic growth shows no signs of slowing down, either. Cardiff is projected to be the UK’s fastest-growing core city over the next two decades.

This makes it an ideal choice for finance professionals looking for a base rife with opportunity.

Why office space in Cardiff is ideal for financial services

To understand why Cardiff is a top pick for financial services businesses, we will break down the broad range of factors that make this city so compelling.

From its practical location to its active local community, each factor is a significant advantage for both new and established companies. But together, they make the Welsh capital an undeniable powerhouse in the finance industry.

1. You’ll have a skilled workforce on your doorstep

One of Cardiff’s key strengths is its access to a highly skilled workforce.

This is partly because the city has three universities. Cardiff University has a particularly distinguished reputation in financial and professional services education.

Cardiff Business School is also ranked in the world’s top 100 for Business and Economics and has a close relationship with companies in the city.

What’s more, more than a third of the city’s graduates choose to stay and work in the region in the long term. As a result, 55% of Cardiff’s working population have qualifications at level NVQ4+ or above.

This ensures that finance businesses in the city always have a highly qualified talent pool to hire from.

2. It’s a lot cheaper than other UK cities

Offices in Cardiff are a prime choice for finance businesses seeking good value. The region offers commercial rents and property prices that are significantly lower than London.

The Central Cardiff Enterprise Zone also provides specific financial incentives to qualifying businesses. These include reduced business rates and lower broadband costs.

Even with these lower costs, Cardiff and its surrounding region still offer a high quality of life. Cardiff secured the top spot among UK core cities in the 2020 EU Quality of Life in European Cities survey.

This combination makes Cardiff a cost-effective choice for a company’s headquarters.

3. Many financial institutions have a presence in the city

Another reason to rent offices in Cardiff is the number of well-known brands based here.

The city is home to a wide range of notable financial institutions. These include industry leaders like Legal & General, Principality, and HSBC. Neobanks such as Monzo and Starling also contribute to the city’s financial landscape.

This mix of traditional and modern names creates an exciting and dynamic ecosystem with many opportunities for networking and collaboration.

4. It’s an alternative fintech hub to London

Cardiff is not only popular among leaders in financial services. The city is also gaining traction as an alternative fintech hub to London.

Over recent years, the city’s tech ecosystem has given rise to many new startups, such as Yoello, Delio, and Gambit. There are companies specialising in everything from payment solutions to compliance.

The community is supported by schemes such as the Welsh Financial Services Graduate Programme. Backed by the likes of Admiral, Hodge Bank and others, this two-year programme is designed to develop a highly skilled talent pool for the industry.

Other valuable initiatives include FinTech Wales. This independent membership association provides startups access to promotion, funding, and more.

5. There’s a supportive business environment

Companies in Cardiff have access to a range of support at all stages of their growth.

Early-stage businesses might consider one of the city’s accelerators or incubators. These include the Natwest Entrepreneur Accelerator and Barclays Eagle Lab.

For practical assistance, businesses can turn to the Business Wales Service. This provides free and impartial advice to companies in Wales.

There are also several funding opportunities available. These include the Wales Technology Seed Fund, managed by the Development Bank of Wales, which offers up to £250,000 per round.

The Development Bank of Wales also runs Angels Invest Wales. This £8 million co-investment fund connects businesses with a large network of investors.

6. The city has excellent transport links

Another bonus of renting office space in Cardiff is that the city benefits from fantastic transport links. It’s easy to get to and from the city by rail, bus, and plane.

Cardiff has two main railway stations, Cardiff Central and Cardiff Queen Street. These connect the Welsh capital to cities including London, Reading, Bath, and Bristol. The fastest trains from London to Cardiff typically take a little under two hours.

Cardiff Bus also runs an extensive system throughout Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan area. This makes getting to nearby towns such as Penarth, Barry, and Bridgend effortless.

If you have overseas clients and investors, you’ll be happy to know that Cardiff’s international airport also flies to some of Europe’s key cities, including Amsterdam and Paris.

There are also direct flights to more immediate destinations like Edinburgh, Belfast and Dublin.

Top financial businesses located in Cardiff

Cardiff’s financial community comprises an impressive mix of local and international companies. These include:

● Admiral: A leading insurance company specialising in car insurance
● Creditsafe: A provider of business credit information and risk management solutions for companies worldwide
● Delio: A fintech company that develops and delivers private market platforms and solutions for financial institutions
● Grant Thornton: A global accounting and consulting firm providing audit, tax, and advisory services to businesses
● Legal & General: A financial services company specialising in investment management, life insurance, and retirement solutions
● Lloyds Banking Group: A major banking and financial services company providing various banking and insurance services
● Motonovo Finance: A finance company specialising in automotive finance solutions
● Monzo: A digital bank offering online banking services focusing on user-friendly interfaces
● Principality: A building society and banking group providing financial services, including mortgages and savings
● Wealthify: An online platform offering investment services for individuals

Offices in Cardiff for financial professionals

As well as cultivating a thriving business environment, Cardiff is at the forefront of adapting to the new world of work. Rental offices in Cardiff are evolving beyond traditional workspaces. Instead, they’re dynamic hubs for collaboration, learning, and growth.

There’s also a large number of serviced offices in Cardiff. These are particularly compelling options for businesses looking to scale up their services. You will also be able to hit the ground running, as they offer ready-to-use facilities from the start of your lease.

Unlike traditional office buildings, serviced offices also offer more flexible agreements. This enables companies to adapt their office space according to their evolving needs, which is crucial during periods of growth.

Brunel House

If you’re looking for rental offices near Cardiff Queen Street station, look no further than Brunel House. This light and bright workspace is located just across the road.

Plenty of bus routes also service the area, ensuring an easy commute for your team.

Inside, the building is beautifully designed with modern furnishings. It benefits from stunning views across the city, which are sure to impress clients.

Brunel House also has first-class facilities to ensure your team can do their best work. These include a business lounge and daycare.

The building is also surrounded by shops and buzzing restaurants, making it easy to mix business and pleasure.

Highlights include:

● Day care
● Disabled facilities
● Showers

Information about Brunel House:

● Location: 2 Fitzalan Road, Cardiff, CF24 0EB
● Starting cost: Private offices from £149 per person per month
● Opening hours: 24-hour access for Private Office and Dedicated Desk members. Membership access is only during business hours.
● Nearby stations: Cardiff Queen Street Station (a five-minute walk away) and Queen Street Station Bus Stop (a five-minute walk away)

1 Capital Quarter

For those looking for a professional yet flexible office to rent in Cardiff, 1 Capital Quarter presents an excellent option.

Newly refurbished, this Cardiff office space combines modernity and practicality. Particular highlights include a beautiful lobby area where your team can relax, meet clients, or get a change of scenery.

There’s also a wide choice of private and communal spaces for your employees to work from.

As well as being close to many bus stops, you’re only a 12-minute walk from Cardiff Central Station. This is perfect if your team needs to travel to or from further afield.

By choosing this office, you’ll also have the flexibility to expand as your business does, making it perfect for growing companies.

Highlights include:

● Collaborative break-out areas
● Fully equipped meeting rooms
● Newly refurbished workspaces

Information about 1 Capital Quarter:

● Location: Tyndall Street, Cardiff, CF10 4BQ
● Starting cost: Private offices from £169 per person per month
● Opening hours: 24-hour access for Private Office and Dedicated Desk members. Membership access is only during business hours.
● Nearby stations: Herbert Street Bus Stop (a one-minute walk away) and Tyndall Street Bus Stop (a four-minute walk away)

Cardiff Gate Business Park

Cardiff Gate Business Park is an excellent value office space located north of Cardiff city centre. It’s ideal for bigger financial companies looking for a space to scale.

The business park is just off Junction 30 of the M4 and a short walk from Cardiff Gate Services. Onsite parking ensures easy access for employees.

Inside the building, your team will have access to an array of high-quality facilities that enable them to hit their deadlines. These include coworking and communal spaces, meeting rooms, and hot-desking facilities.

By choosing this workspace, you’ll also be in good company. Cardiff Gate Business Park is home to notable businesses such as ADT Security and the Royal College of Nursing.

Highlights include:

● Disabled facilities
● On-site parking
● Sandwich service

Information about Cardiff Gate Business Park:

● Location: Malthouse Avenue, Cardiff, CF23 8RU
● Starting cost: Private offices from £139 per person per month
● Opening hours: 24-hour access for Private Office and Dedicated Desk members. Membership access is only during business hours.
● Nearby stations: Baltimore Close Bus Stop (a 17-minute walk away) and Hollington Drive Bus Stop (an 18-minute walk away)

Discover flexible office space in Cardiff with Regus

Cardiff presents a lot of potential for finance professionals. And as it gears up for further growth, there’s no better time to secure your new office in this thriving commercial hub.

Regus makes the process easy. We have flexible offices in Cardiff to suit startups and established companies alike.