Global financial platform Airwallex isinvesting $590million (£436million) into its UK business over the next five years, signaling a strong commitment to London as a launchpad for its growth across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA).
The substantial capital injection, planned between 2026 and 2030, is set to fund a significant hiring drive and the rollout of new products. This move comes as Airwallex shifts its focus toward growth opportunities in Europe and the Americas, following a decade of establishing its presence in its founding market of Australia and across the Asia-Pacific region.
Hiring surge and product innovation
A primary focus of the investment will be talent acquisition. Airwallex plans to increase its full-time UK headcount by 60 per cent, growing from approximately 100 employees today to over 160 by the end of 2026.
The funding will also accelerate product development. The company intends to launch and expand several key offerings, including credit cards, a recurring billing SaaS solution, and ‘Spend AI’—tools designed to help businesses manage expenses more intelligently.
Jack Zhang, co-founder and chief executive officer of Airwallex, emphasised the company’s confidence in the UK market despite broader economic challenges. “While overall investment in the UK has faced headwinds in recent years, our commitment is moving in the opposite direction,” Zhang said. “This multi-year investment reflects our confidence in the UK as a launchpad for regional growth across EMEA, and our determination to build the financial infrastructure businesses need to compete internationally”.
New leadership for a new phase
To spearhead this expansion, Airwallex has appointed Christos Chamberlain as the new General Manager for the UK and EU, effective January. Chamberlain joins from international logistics firm Flexport, where he served as General Manager. With 20 years of experience navigating the complexities of cross-border trade, he is tasked with leading operations and driving growth across the region.
“Companies in the UK and Europe are navigating increasingly complex financial and operational challenges as they scale,” Chamberlain commented. “Airwallex is perfectly positioned to remove that friction. I’m excited to join the team following an impressive period of growth and to help accelerate expansion as we strengthen our local presence”.
The investment reinforces London’s role as a strategic hub for Airwallex’s wider ambitions. The company’s London team recently moved into a new 16,000 sq ft office in Fitzrovia—more than double the size of its previous space—to accommodate its growing workforce.
London will serve as the anchor for growth across key markets including the Netherlands, France, Germany, and the UAE. Airwallex has also committed to investing additional multi-million dollar sums in these European geographies starting in early 2026.
This announcement follows a strong period for the fintech, which recently celebrated its 10th anniversary and crossed the $1billion annualised run rate revenue (ARR) threshold. It also comes on the heels of a $330million Series G fundraising round that valued the business at $8 billion.
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