Corporate Relocation to London and the Cotswolds: A Complete Guide
Introduction
Every year, London welcomes a new wave of executives, entrepreneurs, and families relocating from the US, Europe, the Middle East and beyond. For many, the move is driven by career opportunity: a new position at a global headquarters, a transfer to London’s financial district, or the launch of a European operation.
But corporate relocation is never simply about geography. For UHNW families, it is about establishing a secure and seamless foundation in one of the world’s most competitive property markets — and increasingly, balancing London life with the tranquillity of the Cotswolds.
This guide explores the realities of relocating to the UK at a senior level, the challenges families face, and how expert guidance ensures the transition is not just successful, but exceptional.
Why London Attracts International Executives
London remains one of the world’s great hubs for business and culture. Its appeal is multifaceted:
Global Connectivity: With five international airports and direct links to New York, Dubai, Hong Kong and beyond, London is a strategic base for international business.
Education: The city is home to world-class schools — both private day schools and international institutions — alongside universities such as Imperial, UCL and LSE.
Lifestyle: Michelin-starred restaurants, galleries, theatres, members’ clubs and sporting venues ensure a rich cultural life.
Heritage and Stability: The UK’s legal system and established property rights provide security for long-term investment.
For executives moving from the US or Asia, London offers not just career progression, but an international lifestyle in a city that is both cosmopolitan and deeply rooted in tradition.
The Rise of Dual-Location Living
In recent years, a new pattern has emerged: many relocating families are choosing dual-location living. A townhouse or lateral apartment in Prime Central London provides proximity to work, schools, and the social fabric of the city. Meanwhile, a country estate or farmhouse in the Cotswolds offers space, privacy, and balance for family life.
The Cotswolds, located around 90 minutes from London, has become the favoured countryside retreat for many UHNW families. Villages such as Stow-on-the-Wold, Daylesford, Chipping Norton, and Kingham provide exceptional schools, farm-to-table restaurants, and discreet communities of like-minded families.
This London–Cotswolds lifestyle reflects a broader trend: the desire for both global connectivity and rural sanctuary.
Challenges of Corporate Relocation
For all its appeal, corporate relocation presents unique challenges — particularly at the senior level:
Time Constraints: Executives are often given a limited window to relocate, with little time to explore neighbourhoods or shortlist properties.
Unfamiliar Market: The UK system differs markedly from the US or Europe — from leasehold/freehold ownership to Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT).
Cultural Nuances: Understanding how schools, healthcare and private members’ clubs operate is vital, but often unfamiliar to new arrivals.
Family Considerations: Decisions are rarely driven by the executive alone; schools, commute times, and lifestyle for spouses and children all shape the brief.
Without trusted guidance, families can find themselves making decisions in haste, or overlooking opportunities that might have been perfect had they been surfaced earlier.
How a Buying Agent Supports Relocation
A buying agent provides clarity and confidence at every stage of relocation. For UHNW families, the service extends well beyond property search.
Defining the Brief
Understanding not just the number of bedrooms required, but how a family wants to live: where they will spend weekends, how children will travel to school, and what level of privacy is required.Targeted Search
Previewing and curating options so the client’s time in London is used efficiently, and unsuitable properties are eliminated.Access to the Off-Market
Many of the best homes — both in London and the Cotswolds — are never advertised. A buying agent’s network ensures clients are introduced discreetly.Negotiation and Purchase Management
From structuring offers to coordinating with lawyers, tax advisers and currency brokers, every stage is managed with precision.Beyond the Property
Introductions to schools specialists, private members’ clubs, healthcare providers, and concierge services ensure the family’s wider needs are considered.
London or the Cotswolds?
Relocating families often ask where they should focus their search. The reality is that London and the Cotswolds complement one another, rather than compete.
In London: Chelsea offers elegant townhouses and garden squares; Marylebone blends village charm with central convenience; Knightsbridge provides discretion with proximity to Hyde Park.
In the Cotswolds: Converted barns, historic manor houses, and contemporary countryside retreats provide space and privacy, often within a short drive of renowned schools and amenities.
The decision depends on priorities: day-to-day city convenience, or weekend family retreat. Increasingly, families choose both.
Case Study: An American Family Relocating from New York
A US-based executive relocating to London was tasked with finding a home within six weeks. His family required proximity to international schools, and he wanted a property that could serve as both residence and long-term investment.
Through off-market introductions, they secured a lateral apartment in Marylebone that never reached public listing. Simultaneously, the family explored country properties in Oxfordshire, eventually acquiring a farmhouse near Daylesford. The result: a seamless transition, blending city life with countryside retreat.
Strategic Considerations for International Buyers
Relocation is about more than finding the right house. Key considerations include:
Legal Structures: Whether to buy in personal name, through a trust, or via a company.
Tax Efficiency: Aligning property purchases with broader wealth planning.
Currency Management: Timing funds transfer to take advantage of exchange rate fluctuations.
Education Choices: Securing school places early, often a driving factor in location decisions.
Each of these requires expert coordination between buying agent, lawyer, accountant and school consultant.
Conclusion
Relocating to London is both an opportunity and a challenge. For UHNW families, the stakes are high: the right home underpins not just lifestyle, but investment, education and legacy.
Handled well, corporate relocation is seamless — with the family arriving to find the right property secured, introductions in place, and the foundations of life in the UK already set.
Handled poorly, it risks becoming rushed, stressful, and costly.
At Lucie Hirst Private Clients, we ensure every relocation is defined by discretion, clarity, and foresight. Whether in London, the Cotswolds, or both, our role is to guide families through each stage, securing not just property, but peace of mind.