Over 130 UK firms generate $6.5 billion annually through India-based GCCs: Zinnov

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More than 130 UK companies are generating $6.5 billion in annual value through their Global Capability Centres (GCCs) in India, according to a new report by consulting firm Zinnov.

These India-based GCCs currently employ around 2 lakh professionals and support operations across financial services, software, engineering, media, and retail sectors. Firms including Barclays, HSBC, GSK, Unilever, Vodafone, Rolls-Royce, and Tesco are using their Indian centres to drive AI-led R&D, digital product development, and platform engineering.

The report highlights that 14 percent of UK GCCs in India belong to Fortune Global 500 firms, and nearly 95 percent are engaged in engineering research and development (ER&D).

Zinnov also highlighted that operating costs in India are up to 50 percent lower than in the UK, enabling companies to scale without compromising quality. More than 90 percent of these centres now operate as multi-functional hubs.

The findings come as the UK and India move closer to finalising a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) expected to boost bilateral trade by over £35 billion by 2030.

Zinnov positioned the report as a snapshot of the growing strategic importance of India in the UK’s global operations.

A GCC is a captive unit set up by a company to carry out information technology (IT) and related business functions.

India is home to almost 1,700 GCCs, employing close to 20 lakh, and is poised to contribute 3.5 percent to India’s GDP by 2030.