Google’s UK workforce experiences notable expansion as firm moves to King’s Cross.
- A total of 400 new hires increased Google’s UK staff to over 7,400 by end of 2023.
- This local growth occurs despite the company’s global downsizing of 12,000 roles.
- King’s Cross office, set to open by 2025, will accommodate approximately 7,000 staff.
- Amid regulatory scrutiny, Google defends its practices against US government’s claims.
Google’s strategic decision to bolster its UK workforce amidst a global downsizing initiative demonstrates the tech giant’s commitment to its operations in the region. Total UK staff numbers rose from 7,005 to 7,422 by the end of 2023, marking a 6% increase. However, this growth is modest compared to the previous year when more than 1,300 staff were added. Despite the global reduction of over 12,000 jobs, Google focuses on enhancing its Artificial Intelligence (AI) capabilities, much of which is anchored in the UK.
The expansion in the UK’s employee base is closely tied to Google’s significant investments in AI research and development, pivotal to its future innovations. Much of this work, including on the Gemini AI services, leverages assets acquired through the 2014 acquisition of London’s DeepMind. DeepMind’s contributions have been widely recognised, with its co-founder Demis Hassabis recently sharing a Nobel Prize in Chemistry for groundbreaking work on protein structures.
As Google prepares for the grand opening of its large-scale King’s Cross office by 2025, the facility is poised to support up to 7,000 personnel. This extensive workspace reflects Google’s long-term vision for its UK operations, with more than £81.6 million remaining in capital commitments towards the completion of this project. Construction, which began in 2018, underscores Google’s continued investment in the UK despite a broader climate of economic caution.
In financial reporting, Google disclosed UK revenues of £2.8 billion for 2023, reflecting a 7.8% increase from the previous year. Concurrently, pre-tax profits surged by one-third, amounting to £374 million. These positive financial metrics emerge as the company contends with regulatory challenges in the United States, where the Department of Justice intends to investigate potential monopolistic practices.
The US Department of Justice has accused Google of leveraging its Chrome browser and Android platform to direct users predominantly towards its own search engine, which dominates about 90% of the online search market. The Department labelled Google’s practices over the past decade as “self-reinforcing” and harmful, sparking one of the most significant regulatory challenges in Silicon Valley’s history. Google, however, stands firm, denouncing these claims as “radical” and threatening to consumers, businesses, and developers alike.
Google’s ongoing investments highlight a robust commitment to its UK operations amid global challenges.
