Top 10 UK companies that outsource services

UK companies that outsource have long partnered with the Philippine offshore outsourcing industry. That relationship remains one of the most productive in global business. As a result, Western firms and Filipino service providers keep growing together.

The Philippines’ business process outsourcing services help companies far away expand. In fact, this support can save up to 70 percent on employment costs. In addition, these firms gain access to the country’s top talent and wide pool of dedicated professionals.

On the other side, Western companies create thousands of jobs for Filipino employees. They also pay local taxes. As a result, they help improve people’s lives and strengthen the wider economy.

UK companies are not immune to cost pressure. One of the best ways to control spending is outsourcing. Over the years, more and more companies dip their toes into outsourcing in the Philippines.

The United Kingdom is among the countries that have gained the most from the Philippine offshore outsourcing industry.

Which UK companies outsource to the Philippines?

Leading UK companies that outsource to the Philippines include HSBC, Prudential, Unilever, GlaxoSmithKline, Standard Chartered, Avon, Wise (formerly Transferwise), Dyson, Shell, and AstraZeneca.

• Banks and insurers such as HSBC, Prudential, and Standard Chartered run back-office, IT, and customer service teams from Manila.
• Consumer and pharmaceutical giants such as Unilever, GSK, AstraZeneca, and Avon offshore finance, HR, IT, and manufacturing support.
• Technology-driven firms such as Wise and Dyson tap Filipino engineers and software talent to scale product development.

Top 10 UK companies that outsource to the Philippines

Here are some examples of UK companies that outsource successfully to the Philippines. The list is shorter than the one for US companies. However, as UK firms work to protect margins and stay competitive, more of them turn to the country’s business process outsourcing (BPO) industry.

HSBC Holdings Plc

HSBC Holdings Plc (“HSBC”) is one of the largest banks in the world. It is also among the biggest in Europe. Headquartered in Canary Wharf, London, the multinational investment bank serves more than 40 million customers. Its reach spans around 60 countries and territories worldwide.

How they outsource

Today, HSBC has operated in the Philippines for well over a century. Throughout that time, the financial services company has offered many varied roles to qualified Filipino employees.

To help serve its millions of customers worldwide, HSBC outsourced its back office to the Philippines. For example, these functions include IT support, research, and customer service. To learn more about HSBC Philippines, visit their website.

Prudential Plc

Prudential Plc is a multinational insurance and financial services company. In addition, it was founded and headquartered in London, United Kingdom.

For over 170 years, the British multinational insurer has operated around the world. It provides financial security, life insurance, and mutual funds. To learn more about Prudential, visit their website.

How they outsource

Moreover, Prudential Plc set up several offices and bought fast-growing businesses in the Philippines. These offices handle the company’s back-office work. In addition, they support its sales and marketing.

Unilever Plc

Unilever is one of the world’s leading consumer goods companies. It owns hundreds of brands sold in more than 190 countries. Its wide range of products includes food, beauty products, cleaning agents, pet food, personal care, and more.

How they outsource

Unilever Philippines outsources services in key areas. These include finance, human resources, and information technology.

The UK company expanded its operations in the Philippines in 2015. At the time, its Chief Enterprise and Technology Officer Mark Smith said, “The Philippines is one of our fastest-growing markets and offers sound infrastructure and access to strong talent.”

He added, “Having the right people, with the right skills and the right mindset is key. That’s where Manila qualifies very highly.”

GlaxoSmithKline Plc

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) is one of the world’s largest pharmaceutical companies. It is a public limited company. It was founded in December 2000 and is headquartered in England, UK.

Today, GSK runs three global businesses. Together, they handle the research, development, and manufacturing of its pharmaceutical and healthcare products and vaccines. To learn more about GSK, visit their website.

How they outsource

GSK currently has two main offices in the Philippines. It also outsources some of its medical manufacturing to the country. In addition, the UK company hires Filipino offshore staff for many roles. These include Medical Representatives, Safety Officers, Packaging Operators, IT Analysts, and more.

Standard Chartered Plc

Standard Chartered is a multinational banking and financial services company. It has branches and outlets across dozens of markets around the globe. In fact, it is the oldest foreign bank in the Philippines.

In addition, the UK company offers a wide range of transaction banking, financial markets, and corporate finance services.

How they outsource

In addition, Standard Chartered offers many career openings in offshore locations. This helps it make the most of offshore staffing. Beyond the jobs at its branches, the firm also offers roles such as:

• Relationship managers
• Investment advisors
• Investment specialists
• Wealth planner trust and fiduciary specialist
• Credit specialists and product specialists

To learn more about Standard Chartered, visit their website.

Avon Products, Inc.

Did you know that Avon Products, Inc. is headquartered in London, UK, but was founded in New York in 1885? It is also one of the top examples of UK companies that outsource to the Philippines.

Avon Products, Inc. is a network marketing company. It sells beauty, personal care, and household products for both men and women. Moreover, the UK company calls itself a global movement and a “pioneer in listening to women’s needs and speaking out for them.”

How they outsource

For example, Avon Products, Inc. has handed part of its manufacturing to offshore sites, which may include the Philippines. In addition, the UK company relies on thousands of door-to-door salespeople (“Avon Ladies”) across the country to help sell its products.

To learn more about Avon Products, Inc., visit their website.

Transferwise

Wise (formerly known as Transferwise) is a handy online money transfer service headquartered in London, UK. Founded in 2010, the firm lets users send and receive money abroad at a fair rate. In addition, it supports transfers across dozens of currencies worldwide.

How they outsource

Wise outsources most of its operations to Estonian and Ukrainian developers. Still, the company also turns to Filipino offshore staff for its engineering needs. To learn more about Wise, visit their website.

Dyson

Last but not least on our list is Dyson. It is a British technology company that designs and makes various household appliances.

Dyson produces appliances such as vacuum cleaners, hair dryers, air purifiers, and fans. Today, the company employs a global workforce of thousands across research, manufacturing, and technology.

How they outsource

For example, Dyson opened its advanced manufacturing facility in Calamba, Laguna, in 2016. The facility employs around 600 workers. It produces 13 million “Dyson Hyperdymium” motors a year.

More recently, the technology company said it is expanding its operations in the Philippines. This growth includes a new dedicated software laboratory. Dyson COO Scott Maguire said the move will further support the Philippine economy. According to him, it will generate 400 more highly skilled roles in software engineering and development over the next three years.

To learn more about Dyson Philippines, visit their website.

Take note, however, that outsourcing is not only for corporations and large conglomerates. Offshore staffing suits businesses of all sizes.

Whether you are a solopreneur or a small to medium-sized business owner, you can benefit from outsourcing. For outsourcing advice, you can request a free quote from Outsource Accelerator. Just visit their website here.

Shell Global

Outsourcing has been one of the keys to Shell’s success as one of the world’s largest oil firms. Today, Shell is an energy and petrochemical company headquartered in the United Kingdom. In particular, it outsources its oil and chemical manufacture, supply and distribution, and marketing.

To learn more about Shell Global, visit their official website.

How they outsource

In addition, Shell has set up shared service centers in Cape Town, Chennai, Glasgow, Krakow, Kuala Lumpur, and Manila, Philippines. Together, they act as the company’s business process outsourcing arm. As a result, they help build a strong worldwide presence.

AstraZeneca

Meanwhile, AstraZeneca is a pharmaceutical company founded in 1999 and headquartered in the United Kingdom. The firm also keeps other bases in England and London. In addition, it works across three areas: research and development, production, and sales and marketing.

To learn more about AstraZeneca, visit their website.

How they outsource

When the COVID-19 pandemic began, AstraZeneca moved quickly. It was one of the first pharmaceutical companies to develop vaccines to fight the disease. As a result, its health programs helped the Philippines and many other nations.

AstraZeneca gets strong support from its information technology staff. That team includes people from many countries, including the Philippines. As a result, the business brought an effective COVID-19 vaccine to market at just the right moment.

To learn more about this firm, visit AstraZeneca’s official website.

Why do UK companies that outsource choose offshore service providers?

One of the main advantages of outsourcing is saving resources. UK companies, in particular, are cutting costs and revamping their business models to become more effective.

In addition, offshoring gives them access to specialized skills, round-the-clock operations, and scalable teams. For UK-based decision-makers, these benefits make outsourcing a practical way to stay competitive. As a result, it keeps their firms resilient in a fast-changing global economy.

Frequently asked questions

Which UK companies that outsource send work to the Philippines?

Well-known examples include HSBC, Prudential, Unilever, GlaxoSmithKline, Standard Chartered, Avon, Wise (formerly Transferwise), Dyson, Shell, and AstraZeneca. These firms outsource functions ranging from customer service and IT to finance, manufacturing, and software engineering.

Why do UK companies outsource to the Philippines specifically?

The Philippines offers a large pool of English-speaking, college-educated talent and a strong service culture. In addition, companies can save up to 70 percent on employment costs compared with hiring in the UK. As a result, the country is a leading offshore destination.

What functions do UK companies typically outsource?

Common outsourced functions include customer service, IT and software development, finance and accounting, human resources, and back-office support. Larger firms also offshore parts of manufacturing, research, and technical operations.

Is outsourcing only for large UK corporations?

No. While big brands dominate the headlines, offshore staffing suits businesses of all sizes. Solopreneurs and small to medium-sized enterprises can also outsource specific roles to control costs and scale efficiently.

Key takeaways

• UK companies that outsource, from HSBC and Prudential to Dyson and AstraZeneca, rely on the Philippines for cost-effective, skilled support.
• Outsourcing can cut employment costs by up to 70 percent while opening access to strong English-speaking talent.
• Outsourced functions span customer service, IT, finance, HR, manufacturing, and software engineering.
• Offshore staffing is not limited to large corporations; businesses of every size can benefit.