A growing number of UK businesses are preparing to expand their overseas workforces, reflecting increasing international ambitions despite a more uncertain global operating environment.

Research from Everywhen found that 81 per cent of employers with existing overseas staff intend to increase headcount abroad. A quarter expect to do so within the next year, while nearly three-quarters anticipate expansion over the next five years.

On average, businesses planning international growth expect their overseas workforce to increase by around 25 per cent.

The findings highlight how global hiring is becoming a longer-term strategic priority for many employers, particularly as businesses seek access to new markets and specialist talent. But the shift is also exposing operational challenges around compliance, employee welfare and risk management.

Sarah Dennis, head of international at Everywhen, said companies needed to ensure support structures were in place before expanding abroad. “Health and wellbeing provision needs to be adaptable and scalable,” she said, noting that rapid growth or changing regional demand could quickly strain existing systems.

The expansion of overseas operations requires businesses to navigate varying legal frameworks, employment standards and risk environments across jurisdictions. Firms must also balance the needs of expatriate employees with those of locally hired staff, while ensuring benefits packages remain competitive and appropriate to different markets.

Scalability is emerging as a central concern. Some larger companies remain uncertain about the pace of future hiring, increasing the need for flexible systems that can accommodate rapid changes in workforce size or location.

Everywhen said employers were increasingly turning to global employee assistance programmes and international medical insurance to provide baseline support across multiple territories. Beyond healthcare, companies are also being encouraged to assess broader geopolitical and operational risks, including political instability, extreme weather and security threats.

The research suggests that employee benefits are becoming a more important tool in both recruitment and retention as competition for international talent intensifies. Firms able to offer robust support packages are likely to gain an advantage in attracting skilled workers.

Dennis said many businesses were now planning several years ahead when designing international workforce strategies. “Employers recruiting overseas need to think carefully about how they will support those employees,” she said. “The earlier they plan, the better positioned they will be.”

The findings underline how international expansion is no longer simply a logistical challenge, but increasingly a test of organisational resilience and workforce strategy.