The city of Edinburgh has a thriving business sector that includes large corporations and small and medium sized enterprises. The city is also home to the headquarters of many global financial institutions.

University of Edinburgh Old College
Edinburgh has a flourishing tourism sector.

Entrepreneurial Alumni

For those looking to be involved in the world of business and enterprise, Edinburgh is one of the best places to be. The city and the University of Edinburgh Business School have a history of producing successful, influential business people:

  • John Boyd Dunlop, founder of Dunlop Rubber, studied at the University of Edinburgh.
  • George Touche, co-founder of Deloitte, studied at the University, and was admitted to the Society of Accountants in Edinburgh.
  • Arthur Young, co-founder of Ernst and Young, is also an alumnus of the Business School.
  • Donald Brydon, Chairman of Royal Mail, was elected President of Edinburgh University Union in his student days.

A Thriving Business Sector

The city has a number of advantages for entrepreneurs and Business School students, including:

  • Edinburgh is consistently ranked in the top 10 cities outside London for economic growth and prospects for business expansion.
  • The financial services sector is thriving in Edinburgh, employing around 100,000 people.
  • Business tourism brings big economic benefits to the city, in the region of £300m per annum.