Cardiff is the capital of Wales and its main commercial centre, with growing strength in financial services, creative industries, and cybersecurity. The city hosts over 30,000 financial services jobs, making it Wales's largest FS cluster, and the National Cyber Security Centre's presence has catalysed a fast-growing cybersecurity ecosystem. With 16,000+ registered businesses and a city-region GVA of £12bn, Cardiff's economy is maturing rapidly.
Cardiff at a glance
16,000+
Registered businesses
30,000+
Financial services jobs
600+
Mid-market companies
£12bn
City region GVA
Local economy
Challenges
How Grove FP helps
Local insights
Cardiff's Central Square development has transformed the city centre, attracting the BBC, HMRC, and a growing cluster of professional services firms. Admiral Group, one of the UK's largest car insurers, is headquartered here and employs over 7,000 people in the city. Principality Building Society and Legal & General also operate major offices. Cardiff's creative sector is anchored by BBC Wales, S4C, and a growing cluster of independent production companies at Wolf Studios and Great Point Seren. The Cardiff Capital Region City Deal is investing £1.2bn in infrastructure and innovation, with a particular focus on compound semiconductors and cybersecurity.
Why Cardiff
Cardiff offers a compelling proposition for businesses seeking lower costs and strong talent. Office rents are roughly a third of London levels, and finance salaries run around 35–40% lower. The city's three universities (Cardiff, Cardiff Metropolitan, and University of South Wales) produce a steady pipeline of finance and business graduates. Welsh Government support — including Development Bank of Wales funding, business rates relief, and enterprise zone incentives — adds further attraction. For finance teams, the challenge is often managing a blend of commercial revenue, grant income, and public sector contracts within a single financial model, which requires more sophisticated tooling than spreadsheets can provide.
FP&A salaries
FP&A Analyst
£26,000–£38,000
FP&A Manager
£40,000–£55,000
Finance Director
£70,000–£105,000
Source: Hays Wales Salary Guide 2025, Robert Half Cardiff
Key employers
Finance community
The Institute of Chartered Accountants' Welsh branch runs regular CPD events, networking, and technical briefings for finance professionals across South Wales.
One of Wales's most established business networks, hosting monthly dinners and events that bring together finance leaders, entrepreneurs, and professional advisors.
A growing community supporting fintech innovation in Wales, running events and programmes that connect financial services firms with technology providers and investors.
Nearby cities
FAQ
Yes. Grove FP is built for the entire UK market, including Wales. We handle UK reporting standards and our support team understands the Welsh business landscape, including Development Bank of Wales funding and devolved tax considerations.
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