A recent Financial Times report reveals a marked increase in interest from families in Dubai and the Gulf states in UK independent schools, driven by regional instability.
Simon Brian, headmaster of St Leonards School, told the newspaper: “Regional instability, school closures and the shift to remote learning are all being discussed. We are seeing a significant rise in enquiries from the Middle East. We have never seen anything like this before.”
For the London property market, this development carries a meaningful signal.
For international families relocating to the United Kingdom, the order of priorities typically follows this pattern:
1.School enrolment and continuity of education for children
2.A secure, central location for long-term residence
3.A permanent or semi-permanent property investment
London remains one of a rare number of global cities where all three criteria converge. Proximity to established independent schools, a strong transport infrastructure and a liquid property market position the city as both a lifestyle and investment destination.
This wave of demand from Dubai and the Gulf towards the United Kingdom continues to act as a structural driver supporting housing demand in London’s prime and prime-fringe locations.
At Piccadilly Estates, we provide investment advisory and portfolio services in this space. Get in touch to find the right location in London.
Source:
Financial Times, May 2026
https://www.ft.com/content/f2741afb-fe06-45fc-8614-53486ace6115