Over one in five directors of new UK tech companies are foreign nationals, according to data released by DueDil.
Figures released by the London-based firm, show that the number of foreign directors of new UK tech companies has risen by 133% since 2010. At the same time, the research showed that the number of tech directors from EU countries increased by 176%.
The data showed that there were over 27,000 new tech businesses founded in the UK in 2014, with a total of 35,193 directors.
Of those directors of new companies, 7,426 were foreign nationals. In 2010, there were 13,644 new tech businesses, with 18,822 directors – 3,185 of whom were foreign nationals.
DueDil co-founder and CEO Damian Kimmelman, said: “Our figures show that foreign entrepreneurs are playing a key role in the UK’s tech ecosystem, and that their influence is becoming even more pronounced.
“As a US national, I founded my company, DueDil, in the UK because of the opportunity provided here to scale into a truly international tech champion, based in London. An exit from Europe would potentially make that journey more difficult, for us as well as other companies,” he continued.
The research comes amid increased speculation about Britain’s possible exit from the European Union with a decisive referendum scheduled to take place on 23rd June.
Russ Shaw, founder of Tech London Advocates, also weighed in on the debate: “London has been hugely successful as a hub for new tech startups, not least because it is the best place in Europe for companies to scale.
“However, there is still a shortage of tech talent in the UK, and companies frequently have to scour Europe to get the specific expertise they need to fill key roles. Withdrawing from the EU would greatly complicate that process, resulting in entrepreneurs looking at alternative homes for their new businesses,” concluded Shaw.
Guy Levin, executive director for Coadec, agreed with Shaw, noting that Brexit would pose a risk to the UK’s “thriving” digital economy.