Australian firms target UK boom with billions in play

Australian infrastructure and property firms are ramping up expansion into the UK, attracted by regulatory similarities, shared professional culture, and a wave of new opportunities linked to Britain’s £725bn infrastructure strategy.

According to the UK Department for Business and Trade, UK imports from Australia increased 14.8% to £6.7bn in the year ending Q4 2024, while UK exports to Australia rose 7.2% to £16.3bn - and now there appears to be an increase in built environment firms looking to work across both markets.

Gareth Hardy, director and co-founder of Third.i UK, an Australian and UK developer, said: “The UK isn’t a leap — it’s a strategic step. The cultural and industry overlap makes expansion frictionless, and the UK’s position as a gateway to Europe makes the growth potential massive.”

Plenary Group, a major player in public-private partnerships (PPP), opened a London office in 2022 and secured its first UK project in 2024.

“Governments and institutions here are embracing competitive tenders that reward innovation across financing, delivery and long-term asset management,” said chief executive Paul Crowe.

“The UK’s recent commitment to alternative funding models confirms we’re on the right track.”

Bilateral growth is also fuelling UK interest in the Australian market, particularly in areas where Australia leads, such as specialised disability accommodation, while Australia is taking cues from the UK’s build-to-rent evolution.

Capital investment group Opportunity London is also tapping into the momentum, with chief execuitve Jace Tyrrell currently touring Australia to engage investors and institutions. “We’re going to unlock billions between Australia and London by collaborating together,” he said.

Further evidence of the growing connection between the two markets, is the work being done by Harper B, a strategy consultancy founded in Melbourne and soon to launch in London. 

Founder Belinda Coates said the firm’s mission is to “build strategies that are market-aware, locally grounded and globally scalable.”

“This is more than a trade story,” said Coates. “It’s a movement — one that blends policy, capital, and talent to deliver meaningful, international impact.”