WEX Worldwide: Across the Pond

Want to know what it’s like to live and work in London, UK? With our newest blog series, WEX Worldwide, we’re going straight to the source and asking some of our international employees why they love our locations – and why you will, too.

Home to Buckingham Palace, the London Eye, and Big Ben, London is a hotspot for culture and history. But famous sights aren’t all the bustling city offers. Boasting more than 250 art galleries and museums, a thriving theater culture, and nearly 80 Michelin-starred restaurants, the United Kingdom’s capital has something for everyone and every palate. It’s no surprise then that our London-based employees use the words busy, fast-paced, and multicultural to describe the place they call home.

Something For Everyone

In a city awash with creativity and culture, you don’t have to travel far to have your interests fulfilled. Sports fanatics can tune into major events—think football matches (soccer to those in the U.S.), rugby games, and cricket—at world-renowned venues like Wimbledon and Wembley Stadium. Or, if you prefer song over sport, stop by one of the city’s 300 music venues. Whether you’re a fan of London-natives Adele, Coldplay, or The Rolling Stones, one of the nearly 20,000 concerts put on each year is sure to appeal.

And if you think lush green space isn’t compatible with a major city, London is happy to prove you wrong. Explore one of the eight Royal Parks or go for a leisurely stroll through Hampstead Heath; there’s always something to be discovered.

The Devil is in the (Office) Details

London isn’t only delicious food, historic landmarks, and the royal family—though those things do make it pretty great. It’s also a unique and excellent place to work—just ask some of our London-based WEXers!

“My favorite office features are the views and its central location,” says one WEX employee. “You can see so many landmarks from our windows—St. Paul’s Cathedral, The Tower of London, and The Shard are just a few. In addition to the amazing views and location, the office has been designed to have an open floorplan and lots of collaborative spaces, encouraging teamwork and a close-knit feeling.”

And in case a sweet office space with unbeatable views isn’t enough, our new London Bridge HQ is close to London’s leading financial and technology hubs, giving WEX access to a wealth of talented individuals from all over the world.

Bucket List-Worthy

Living and working in the UK’s capital sounds like the definition of the good life, but don’t just take our word for it—visit yourself, if you can! While you’re there, be sure to check a few of the following off of your bucket list—our London contacts tell us these are can’t-miss.

• Stop by Borough Market, one of London’s largest and oldest food and drink markets serving up offerings from around the world
• Try a traditional fish ‘n’ chips from a local chippy (heads up: in the UK, chips are thick-cut potato fries!)
• Visit Big Ben—but make sure you know what you’re looking for! Despite what many people think, Big Ben is actually the nickname for the Great Bell behind the clock in Elizabeth Tower, not the actual clock or clock tower.

“There are many reasons why someone would move to London,” summarizes a London-based WEXer. “It’s an exciting city with a diverse mix of individuals, events, and talent. People have come from all over the world to live here, each bringing with them a slice of their own culture. Working for a company in London allows you to gain exposure to people and experiences you would not find working elsewhere in the country.”

Interested in finding out for yourself what our London office has to offer? Check out our careers page.