April 2026
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This conference considered next steps for UK professional and business services - including legal services, accountancy and audit firms, and management and business consultancy - following publication of the Government’s Sector Plan.
It brought stakeholders and policymakers together to assess the strategy being put forward to support PBS, and the implementation of sector-specific measures outlined in the plan.
Areas for discussion included expectations for the impact of five AI and technology adoption programmes backed by investment of £150m through the 2025 Spending Review - including the Made Smarter-style pilot - as well as the rollout and governance of new PBS hubs across five UK regions, and initiatives such as the export support guarantee for small and medium-sized enterprises.
Regional PBS growth, local authorities, coordination & support for SMEs
Implications of place-based interventions and local growth strategies for PBS firms across the UK were assessed, including for those outside the initial hub areas as well as smaller and mid-tier firms.
Sessions explored priorities for local authorities, involvement of existing clusters, and how PBS hub governance can avoid duplication with devolved and city‑region strategies. The functioning of hubs was discussed, alongside strategies for effective rollout of technology adoption and innovation programmes for SMEs, trade and investment promotion, and sector-specific careers advice.
AI, technology adoption & regulation
The agenda explored how integrating technology and increasing R&D spending can most effectively support growth and productivity in the PBS sector, with a focus on addressing issues for firm capacity and workforce adoption, and implications for market competitiveness - also looking at priorities for the AI champion appointed in November 2025.
How initiatives can best translate into practical help was examined, with discussion on funding models, shared tools, procurement templates, and skills support. Delegates assessed how smaller firms can be helped in adopting AI and automation tools - particularly in areas such as compliance and document processing - as well as approaches to tackling barriers to uptake including costs, skills gaps, and procurement complexity.
Stakeholder concerns around regulatory clarity were also discussed, including liability boundaries, and options for developing consistent standards when AI is used in professional judgement and advisory work. The development of the Made Smarter Professional Business Services delivery model to enable AI adoption and innovation at scale was also examined, including how the service can work alongside existing business support structures, as well as priorities for ensuring equitable access across regions, and ways forward for meeting tailored sub-sector needs.
Discussion also addressed how technology may influence consultancy pricing models, with potential shifts towards outcome-based or subscription approaches for PBS firms.
Finance, oversight & sector skills
Key issues for funding and finance were examined, including the role of the British Business Bank in access to growth finance, as well as mechanisms for commercial banks and financial institutions to support the sector through IP-backed lending, including for emerging PBS-focused technologies. Regulatory priorities were also discussed, looking at ways forward to achieve optimal conditions for investment, innovation, and resilience across the sector.
Delegates also assessed approaches to addressing skills shortages, including priorities for deployment of funding raised by the Growth and Skills Levy to create more apprenticeship options and improve workforce digital and AI skills. Next steps for collaboration between PBS firms, Skills England and higher education institutions in developing courses were considered. Discussion also focused on expansion of the AI Skills hub across the PBS sector, as well as how further recognition of international professional qualifications might help tackle workforce mobility barriers faced by UK PBS firms.
Coordination between the PBS Council, Skills England, Innovate UK, local authorities and firms was discussed, looking at the role of the proposed Office for PBS and new Industrial Strategy Council in overseeing implementation and tracking progress across the PBS sector.
International competitiveness & trade
Sessions also examined approaches to further developing the UK’s position in global professional services. Areas for discussion included trade access and regulatory compatibility, strategic priorities for supporting export growth and boost global competitiveness, and internationally-focused promotional initiatives for overseas firms such as the recently launched concierge service.
We expected further discussion on priorities for the Trade Digitalisation Taskforce in supporting trade for PBS firms and their clients, with government investing £12m in data sharing and infrastructure initiatives from April 2026.
With a new specialist panel of experts convened in September 2025 to boost legal services exports, discussion was also expected on next steps for supporting access to UK services and priorities for driving international competitiveness.
As well as key stakeholders those attending included officials from the Department for Business and Trade; Department for the Economy, NI; Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office; Office for Investment; and The Scottish Government.
