London has always been a city in motion. Every year, businesses rethink where they want to be based- chasing talent, cutting costs, looking for more flexible spaces, or being in an up-and-coming area. The latest London Moves 2025 report by Cushman & Wakefield reveals some fascinating patterns about how different industries are reshaping the capital’s business map. If you’re an employer bringing people into London or an individual relocating to London, these shifts matter. Where companies move, employees (and demand for housing) follow.
Tech firms
London’s tech scene is showing no signs of slowing down. From King’s Cross to Shoreditch, tech firms are continuing to expand, drawn by proximity to world-class universities and transport links. The report shows that tech occupiers are among the most likely to take on more space rather than downsize.
For relocators, this means rising demand for housing in and around Zone 1 and Zone 2 creative hubs, like Camden, Old Street, Hackney, and Islington. International hires working in these areas are looking for quick commutes, lively neighbourhoods, and flexible living options.
Finance
While some predicted a major exodus from the City post-Brexit, finance remains firmly anchored in the Square Mile and Canary Wharf. Banks and investment houses are doubling down on top-tier office space, choosing better quality over bigger quantity.
For employees relocating from overseas, this translates into demand for well-connected areas with easy access to the Jubilee and Elizabeth lines. Stratford, Greenwich, and parts of East London are becoming popular alternatives to pricier central postcodes.
Professional services
Law firms, consultancies, and accountancy giants continue to prefer the West End and City core, but with a small change. Many are downsizing their footprint slightly while upgrading to greener, smarter buildings. Proximity to clients and prestige postcodes still matter, but sustainability and employee wellbeing are climbing the priority list.
This is already shaping residential demand around Holborn, Bloomsbury, and Westminster, with relocators drawn to walkable commutes and access to cultural life.
What does this mean for relocations?
Across all sectors, the thing that is clear is that companies are moving closer to the core, not further away. Average office relocations in 2024 were less than a mile from their old base. For employers, that means talent will continue to want to live near central London, and for assignees, housing competition in those zones is only going to grow.
Office moves aren’t just about real estate. They shape where people live and how they commute. If your company is planning relocations in 2025, now’s the time to get ahead. Understanding which neighbourhoods are rising in demand, what housing stock is available, and how to balance cost with employee experience.
Cornerstone is here to guide you with your London relocation. From housing searches to settling-in support, we help employers and individuals make London feel like home. Get in touch with us to find out how we can support your next move.