Computer Consultants in the UK - Market Research Report (2014-2029)
London, United Kingdom
Last Updated: September 2024
SIC J62.020Revenue
£69.4bn
Past 5-Year Growth
Profit
£XX.Xbn
Employees
449k
Businesses
127k
Wages
£XX.Xbn
Computer Consultants in the UK industry analysis
UK's computer consultants' industry, known for providing cutting-edge advice in planning and designing seamless computer systems, is charting a strong growth trajectory, closely aligned with the fluctuations in business confidence and overall economic conditions. Recent performances have been buoyed by the proliferation of cloud computing, enhanced mobile technology and the burgeoning field of big data. Despite challenges posed by offshoring, the UK market remains robust, particularly for high-skilled consultancy roles. The public sector’s increased expenditure on digital initiatives and cybersecurity has provided a solid revenue stream, ensuring stability even amid global uncertainties. The pandemic-induced digitisation surge also reinforced the industry's critical role in strategic IT planning and systems integration.
Trends and Insights
- Technological advances fuel industry growth. Recent technological developments, including cloud computing and big data, have driven growth in the UK computer consultancy industry. Businesses demand the latest tech solutions, boosting consultancy services’ relevance and profitability.
- Software consulting provides consultants’ largest revenue stream. It covers a huge range of functions, including consulting on software systems, databases and overall computing procedures and adapting software for different businesses. The huge benefits software consulting offers keeps demand high.
- The capital draws in consultancy providers. As the UK’s business and financial hub, London is home to a huge number of potential clients for computer consultants.
- Companies offering a wide range of consultancy solutions tend to draw in more sales. That’s why the top of the market is dominated by a handful of global IT service providers, which clients choose to meet all of their needs at once.
Industry Overview
Market size and recent performance (2014-2029)
Industry revenue has grown at a CAGR of 1.1 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated £69.4bn in 2024.
Trends and Insights
Technology developments have helped the industry progress
- The rapid expansion of web-based operations and services has significantly altered the conditions in which the industry operates.
- Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Source: IBISWorld
Industry outlook (2024-2029)
Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.
Trends and Insights
Smaller consultants are set to enter the industry
- Lower market share concentration is on the horizon for the industry, fuelled by a jump in small, expert consultancies. These businesses are zeroing in on specialised areas of technology, offering specific expertise not always found in larger organisations.
Biggest companies in the Computer Consultants in the UK
| Company | Market Share (%)
2025 | Revenue (£m)
2025 |
|---|---|---|
Capgemini UK plc | 2,709.0 | |
IBM United Kingdom Ltd | 2,055.1 | |
Accenture (UK) Ltd | 1,835.6 |
To view the market share and analysis for all 6 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.
Products & Services Segmentation
Source: IBISWorld
Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Software consulting, Hardware consulting and Systems and technical consulting. Software consulting is the largest segment of the Computer Consultants in the UK.
Trends and Insights
Software consulting is by the far the largest service for computer consultants
- Software consulting includes scrutinising and recommending improvements to software systems, databases and overall computing procedures. It also includes adapting software requirements for different businesses and outsourcing some IT business functions.
- More insights available in the full report
Widen you competitive advantage with related industries
Competitors
- Software Development in the UK
Complementors
- Computer & Gaming Product Retailers in the UK
- Management Consultants in the UK
- Computer & Computer Equipment Repair in the UK
International industries
- IT Consulting in the US
- IT Security Consulting in the US
- Web Design Services in the US
- Software Testing Services in the US
- e-Discovery Consulting Services in the US
Table of Contents
About this industry
Industry definition
Computer consultants provide expert advice and assistance by planning and designing computer systems that integrate computer hardware, software and communication technologies. Services may also include training users. Industry operators do not sell computer hardware and software or install mainframes, personal computers or software.
What's included in this industry?
Software consultingHardware consultingSystems and technical consultingBusiness consultingCompanies
Capgemini UK plcIBM United Kingdom LtdAccenture (UK) LtdPurchase this report to view all 6 major companies in this industry.
Related Terms
COMMODITISATIONOUTSOURCINGOFFSHORINGCLOUD COMPUTINGBIG DATASMEIndustry Code
SIC 62.02 - Computer Consultants in the UK
Performance
Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.
Analyst insights
Technological advances fuel industry growth. Recent technological developments, including cloud computing and big data, have driven growth in the UK computer consultancy indu...
In this chapter (4)
- Current Performance
- Outlook
- Volatility
- Life Cycle
Key metrics
- Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
- Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
- Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
- Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business
Charts
- Revenue, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Employees, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Businesses, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Profit, including historical (2014-2024)
- Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
- Industry Life Cycle
Detailed analysis
- Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
- Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
- Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
- How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.
Products and Markets
Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.
Analyst insight
Software consulting provides consultants’ largest revenue stream. It covers a huge range of functions, including consulting on software systems, databases and overall computi...
In this chapter
- Products & Services
- Major Markets
Key metrics
- Largest market segment and value in 2024
- Product innovation level
Charts
- Products & services segmentation in 2024
- Major market segmentation in 2024
Detailed analysis
- Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
- Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
- Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
- Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services
Geographic Breakdown
Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.
Analyst insights
The capital draws in consultancy providers. As the UK’s business and financial hub, London is home to a huge number of potential clients for computer consultants.
In this chapter (1)
- Business Locations
Charts
- Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each region
- Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2024
Tables
- Number and share of establishments in each region in 2024
- Number and share of revenue each region accounts for in 2024
- Number and share of wages each region accounts for in 2024
- Number and share of employees in each region in 2024
Detailed analysis
- Geographic spread of the industry across Europe, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
- Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage
Competitive Forces
Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.
Analyst insights
Companies offering a wide range of consultancy solutions tend to draw in more sales. That’s why the top of the market is dominated by a handful of global IT service providers...
In this chapter (4)
- Concentration
- Barriers to Entry
- Substitutes
- Buyer & Supplier Analysis
Key metrics
- Industry concentration level
- Industry competition level and trend
- Barriers to entry level and trend
- Substitutes level and trend
- Buyer power level and trend
- Supplier power level and trend
Charts
- Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2019-2024
- Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart
Detailed analysis
- Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
- Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
- Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
- Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
- Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
- Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
- Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
- Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
- Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.
Companies
Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.
Analyst insights
Despite the presence of big global companies, there aren’t any major players. The huge array of services computer consultancy covers and the opportunities this offers to oper...
In this chapter
- Market Share Concentration
- Companies
- Company Spotlights
Charts
- Industry market share by company in 2020 through 2024
- Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2024
- Overview of Capgemini UK plc's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
- Overview of IBM United Kingdom Ltd's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
- Overview of Accenture (UK) Ltd's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
- Overview of revenue, market share and profit margin trend for 3 additional companies
Detailed analysis
- Description and key data for Capgemini UK plc, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for IBM United Kingdom Ltd, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for Accenture (UK) Ltd, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description, key data and performance trends for 3 additional companies
External Environment
Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.
Analyst insights
Dealing with sensitive personal data means consultancies have to follow GDPR. Implemented in May 2018, GDPR covers rules related to protecting consumers’ personal data and en...
In this chapter
- External Drivers
- Regulation & Policy
- Assistance
Key metrics
- Regulation & policy level and trend
- Assistance level and trend
Charts
- Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2014-2029)
- Assistance historical data and forecast (2014-2029)
Detailed analysis
- Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
- Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
- Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.
Financial Benchmarks
View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time.
Analyst insights
Rising demand props up profit. As more businesses realise the benefits of computer consultancy, sales have been shooting up, allowing consultants to charge higher fees and bo...
In this chapter
- Cost Structure
- Financial Ratios
- Key Ratios
Key metrics
- Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
- Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
- Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
- Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio
Charts
- Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
- Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
- Investment vs. share of economy
Data tables
- Liquidity Ratios (2018-2022)
- Coverage Ratios (2018-2022)
- Leverage Ratios (2018-2022)
- Operating Ratios (2018-2022)
- Assets (2018-2022)
- Liabilities (2018-2022)
- Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2014-2029)
- Revenue per Employee (2014-2029)
- Revenue per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- Employees per Establishment (2014-2029)
- Employees per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- Average Wage (2014-2029)
- Wages/Revenue (2014-2029)
- Establishments per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- IVA/Revenue (2014-2029)
- Imports/Demand (2014-2029)
- Exports/Revenue (2014-2029)
Detailed analysis
- Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability
Key Statistics
Industry Data
Data Tables
Including values and annual change:
- Revenue (2014-2029)
- IVA (2014-2029)
- Establishments (2014-2029)
- Enterprises (2014-2029)
- Employment (2014-2029)
- Exports (2014-2029)
- Imports (2014-2029)
- Wages (2014-2029)
Methodology
How are IBISWorld reports created?
IBISWorld has been a leading provider of trusted industry research for over 50 years to the most successful companies worldwide. With offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and China, we are proud to have local teams of analysts that conduct research, data analysis and forecasting to produce data-driven industry reports.
Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.
IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.
What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?
Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.
Key data sources in the UK include:
- Office for National Statistics
- Office for Budget Responsibility
- Bank of England
Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.
These sources include:
- Industry and trade associations
- Industry federations or regulators
- Major industry players annual or quarterly filings
Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.
How does IBISWorld forecast its data?
IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.
IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.
Learn more about our methodology and data sourcing on the Help Center.
Frequently Asked Questions
Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.
What is the market size of the Computer Consultants in the UK industry in United Kingdom in 2024?
The market size of the Computer Consultants in the UK industry in United Kingdom is £69.4bn in 2024.
How many businesses are there in the Computer Consultants in the UK industry in 2024?
There are 127k businesses in the Computer Consultants in the UK industry in United Kingdom, which has grown at a CAGR of 1.7 % between 2019 and 2024.
Has the Computer Consultants in the UK industry in United Kingdom grown or declined over the past 5 years?
The market size of the Computer Consultants in the UK industry in United Kingdom has been growing at a CAGR of 1.1 % between 2019 and 2024.
What is the forecast growth of the Computer Consultants in the UK industry in United Kingdom over the next 5 years?
Over the next five years, the Computer Consultants in the UK industry in United Kingdom is expected to grow.
What are the biggest companies in the Computer Consultants in the UK market in United Kingdom?
The biggest companies operating in the Computer Consultants market in United Kingdom are Capgemini UK plc, IBM United Kingdom Ltd and Accenture (UK) Ltd
What does the Computer Consultants in the UK in United Kingdom include?
Software consulting and Hardware consulting are part of the Computer Consultants in the UK industry.
Which companies have the highest market share in the Computer Consultants in the UK in United Kingdom?
The company holding the most market share in United Kingdom is Capgemini UK plc.
How competitive is the Computer Consultants in the UK industry in United Kingdom?
The level of competition is moderate and increasing in the Computer Consultants in the UK industry in United Kingdom.
