When Friisberg supports clients acquiring or investing in UK businesses, the conversation often turns to culture. What makes British business tick? Why do meetings feel so polite yet so pointed? And how can leaders from abroad adapt to what is arguably one of the most understated yet complex business cultures in the world?
Here are some of the lessons we’ve learned through decades of cross-border work:
Quiet Hierarchies
British organisations may appear flat on paper, but hierarchy is alive and well – it’s just subtle. Job titles, who speaks first, even where people sit in a meeting all communicate status. It’s rarely explicit, but everyone recognises it.
Pragmatism over Process
UK leaders tend to prioritise progress over perfection. Consultation matters, but few will wait for full consensus before acting. Decisive leaders are respected – provided they can justify their choices when questioned.
Indirect, Yet Polished
The British are famously restrained communicators. Criticism is softened with diplomacy, “Perhaps you might consider…”, and praise is often understated. To the uninitiated, “That’s interesting” can sound encouraging – until it isn’t.
Reading between the lines is an essential skill in the UK boardroom.
In Britain, meetings are as much about relationships as results. Small talk: the weather, the weekend, even the biscuits is part of doing business. These conversational rituals might feel trivial elsewhere, but here they help establish trust and collaboration before decisions are made.
Compared with countries like Sweden, the UK draws a softer line between professional and personal life. Colleagues often socialise after hours, and deals are just as likely to be discussed over dinner as in the boardroom.
While statutory benefits such as parental leave or holiday entitlement may appear modest compared with much of Europe, British employees tend to value flexibility above all else: remote working options, adaptable hours, and autonomy over how they deliver results.
Friisberg combines deep UK roots with a genuinely global outlook. Originating from Deloitte’s UK search practice, our consultants now work across sectors from defence and infrastructure to technology and professional services.
We understand both sides of the cultural bridge and help international clients cross it smoothly. From guiding leadership assimilation and assessing cultural fit to preparing management teams for integration, we help businesses translate not just language, but intent.
Because in the UK, it’s often the unwritten rules, not the formal regulations, that make all the difference.
Every culture is nuanced and every organisation unique, but our experience shows that success in Britain relies on more than strategy. It demands cultural intelligence, curiosity, and the ability to read the room as well as the market.
Note: These insights reflect common patterns observed in professional settings. Every individual and organisation is unique, and no culture can be defined in absolute terms. Our aim is to highlight trends that international leaders may encounter when working across borders, and to share how Friisberg helps clients navigate these differences with respect and effectiveness.
