A groundbreaking study by HR software provider Ciphr has unveiled the intriguing geographical distribution of professions across the UK, spotlighting the regions where certain jobs flourish. Leveraging data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), Ciphr’s location quotient analysis paints a vivid picture of the nation's professional landscape.
London: The Executive Hub
Unsurprisingly, London emerges as a powerhouse of high-profile professions, boasting a concentration of brokers, economists, lawyers, and writers that is approximately three times the national average. The capital’s allure for top-tier talent extends to the executive suite, with CEOs making up 0.76 percent of its workforce—almost double the national average of 0.39 percent. This gives London a location quotient of 1.9 for CEOs, highlighting its dominance in leadership roles.
Regional Highlights
While London leads in high-flying careers, other regions exhibit unique professional profiles:
- East of England: Following London, this region has the next highest concentration of CEOs, with a location quotient of 1.6.
- Wales: At the opposite end of the spectrum, Wales has the lowest concentration of CEOs, at just 0.3 times the UK average.
- Scotland: This region excels in early education and childcare practitioners, with a concentration 4.1 times the national average. It also leads in professions such as painters, IT quality professionals, and architects.
- Northern Ireland: Administrative roles in local and national government are particularly prevalent, with concentrations 3.2 and 2.5 times the UK average, respectively.
- North East England: Quality assurance technicians dominate, being 5.8 times more common than the UK average.
- North West England: Known for its high concentration of plasterers and electrical and electronics technicians.
Sectoral Stars
Each UK region has its unique professional forte:
- South West: Boat and shipbuilders are remarkably concentrated here, at 6.4 times the national average.
- East Midlands: Publicans and managers of licensed premises are 4.8 times more common than the national average.
- Yorkshire and the Humber: This region stands out in pensions and insurance clerks, as well as mental health nurses.
A Nation of Specialists
Ciphr’s analysis underscores the rich diversity of the UK’s job market, where regional strengths contribute to a mosaic of professional expertise. From London’s executive dominance to Scotland’s focus on education and childcare, the study reveals the specialized economic fabrics that define each part of the country.
Top Professions Nationwide
Across the UK, the most common jobs span a range of fields, including programming, care work, office administration, teaching, and financial management, reflecting the multifaceted nature of the modern British workforce.
As businesses and job seekers navigate this complex landscape, Ciphr’s insights provide a valuable roadmap, highlighting where specific talents are most likely to thrive.