Vincent(43)

I had a consultancy firm in The Hague for twelve years, specialised in supply chain management. Many of my clients were in the United Kingdom. After Brexit I noticed it was becoming increasingly difficult to work for British clients from the Netherlands — VAT rules, contractual restrictions, travel limitations. The logical step was to open a UK branch.

Setting up a Ltd (Limited company) at Companies House literally costs £12 and is done within 24 hours. You need a registered office address and at least one director. That sounds easy — and it is. But the real work starts after that. You need to register with HMRC for Corporation Tax and VAT. You need a UK business bank account, which as a foreigner is surprisingly difficult. I eventually chose Tide, a digital bank that opens accounts quickly.

The visa question was more complex. As an entrepreneur you can't simply arrange a Skilled Worker visa for yourself — your company first needs to apply for a sponsor licence, and then sponsor yourself. That costs £536 for a small business, plus the visa fees. An alternative is the Innovator Founder visa, but that requires endorsement from an approved body. I chose the sponsor licence route.

Manchester was a deliberate choice over London. Costs are a fraction — my office in Spinningfields costs £600 per month, in the City of London that would be triple. The city has strong business infrastructure, good connections and a growing international community. Plus it's closer to my clients in northern England.

HMRC is stricter than the Dutch tax authority, you notice that quickly. VAT returns are quarterly, Making Tax Digital is mandatory, and you need to handle payroll (PAYE) yourself if you have staff. I hired a British accountant with experience with foreign directors — that's crucial. The penalties for late or incorrect filing are steep.

After eighteen months my business is doing well. The British market is larger than the Dutch one, the entrepreneurial mentality is direct and pragmatic, and Manchester feels like a city that's moving forward. My advice: start with a good accountant and an immigration lawyer. The startup costs are higher than you think, but the market is worth it.