Google adds 400 new employees in the UK, amid global cuts.
- UK staff increase shows commitment despite worldwide layoffs.
- Focus on AI investment propels UK’s Google staffing growth.
- New King’s Cross office to support up to 7,000 employees.
- Google’s UK revenues and profits continue to rise despite challenges.
Google has reinforced its commitment to the UK market by adding 400 new employees, increasing its UK headcount from 7,005 to 7,422 by the end of 2023. This expansion comes even in the wake of a worldwide downsizing, where the company announced over 12,000 job cuts at the start of 2023.
The increase in UK staffing indicates Google’s strategic focus on its UK operations, especially as it ramps up investments in artificial intelligence. Much of Google’s AI research is conducted in the UK, a hub further strengthened by its 2014 acquisition of London-based DeepMind. Remarkably, DeepMind’s co-founder Demis Hassabis has recently been recognised with a Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his groundbreaking work on proteins.
Google is also preparing for the inauguration of its expansive new office in King’s Cross, slated for completion by the end of 2025. This state-of-the-art facility will be able to accommodate up to 7,000 staff members.
In 2023, Google’s UK revenues saw a significant rise, reaching £2.8 billion, a 7.8% increase from the previous year. The company’s financial performance was further bolstered by a pre-tax profit increase of a third, amounting to £374 million.
Despite these positive developments, Google faces potential regulatory challenges in the United States. The Department of Justice has accused Google of monopolistic practices through its Chrome browser and Android operating system, with calls for the company to be dismantled. Google has countered these allegations, arguing that such measures could be detrimental to consumers and businesses alike.
Google’s strategic enhancements in the UK depict a steadfast commitment to growth and innovation amidst global challenges.
