South Asia is a growing market that’s been capitalizing on affordable labor for a long time. Since China’s inception in the manufacturing industry, other south asian countries like Pakistan and India are marking their territory in the UK with better engineered IT services at value-added rates. This shift in the IT trends is based on the currency difference and affordable living standards. Companies like CMOLDS with registered offices in the UK are marking their presence well in the western market.
As the economy moves towards convenience, apps are at the forefront of every innovation. With AI inception in the IT industry it’s only relevant that app development demands are growing YoY.
| Year | Global Market Size (USD) | YoY Growth | Key Drivers |
| 2020 | $238.36 billion | — | Surge in digital transformation due to the pandemic |
| 2021 | $187.58 billion | +20.45% | Increased enterprise app adoption and cloud-based solutions |
| 2022 | $206.73 billion | +10.2% | Continued enterprise app growth and shift to remote work |
| 2023 | $252.89 billion | +22.3% | Rise in mobile commerce and entertainment apps |
| 2024 | $289.17 billion | +14.3% | Advancements in AI, AR/VR, and IoT technologies |
| 2025 | $302.1 billion (projected) | +4.5% (projected) | Maturation of app markets and increased competition |
A significant portion of this increased demand is being met through South Asian talent harbored through internationally recognized and operational businesses. Among the list of several talented companies located in the UK for instance, Hedgehog Labs, Fueled and Cmolds, several other businesses are entering the UK market with innovation.
The rapid increase of well-established companies is an added advantage for the UK market because it increases competition and allows the economy to make choices between several vendors. However, Hedgehog Labs and Cmolds have already developed a competitive edge over new market entrants is going to be challenging to overcome. These established international companies are harnessing the power of AI-driven technology in cutting costs and delivering exceptional work. In fact, Cmolds has a dedicated AI app development wing that focuses on innovative app ideas through the help of AI to cut down production time and deliver high quality, cross platform apps within the committed timeline.
In addition to AI, South Asian companies have a strong IT education system to deliver the next generation of leaders. One of the best examples is the IIT institute in India that’s been leading the charge with Alumni like Sundar Pichai (CEO Google) and Arvind Krishna (CEO & Chairman, IBM).
Other notable leaders from South Asia dominating the UK market are, Tej Lavani (CEO Vitabiotics), Zameer Choudrey, Baron Choudrey (CEO Bestway Group), Leena Nair (CEO, Chanel), Aki Hussain (CEO, Hiscox plc) and Daniyal Khan (CEO, Cmolds). These leaders are from diverse backgrounds and origins yet they have been leading UK based companies for several years. This goes to show that South Asian talent has a lot of energy and spark to become the world’s next leader in service exports.
This trend isn’t just limited to large corporations or tech giants—startups and mid-sized businesses across the UK are increasingly tapping into South Asian talent pools for everything from mobile app development to digital transformation services and UI/UX design. The reason is simple: South Asian firms bring a unique blend of technical expertise, cost efficiency, and cultural adaptability.
Another factor tipping the scales in the favor of the South Asian market is strong command over English language and project management practices.
“The professionalism displayed by South Asian companies is setting the bar high for UK’s agencies and the delivery times are smooth and lag free.” – Muhammad Burhan Mirza
Moreover, as data security and GDPR compliance become top priorities in the UK, companies like CMOLDS and their counterparts are rapidly adapting by investing in certifications, security frameworks, and data protection protocols that align with UK standards.
As the UK service economy continues to evolve and embrace digital transformation, the influence of South Asian talent has become undeniable and indispensable. From cost-effective development models and AI-driven innovations to world-class leadership and technical excellence, South Asian companies and professionals are not just participating—they are shaping the direction of the UK’s digital future.
