Filings at Companies House reveal OpenAI UK Ltd's turnover nearly quadrupled in a single year, driven by a cost-plus arrangement with its US parent.
OpenAI’s British subsidiary pulled in £293 million in turnover for the year ended December 31, 2025, up from £79.2 million the prior year. That is roughly a fourfold jump in twelve months, and it puts the unit’s pre-tax profit at £31.7 million.
After a £11.4 million tax charge, the post-tax profit landed at £20.3 million.
How the money actually moves
OpenAI UK Ltd operates under what accountants call a cost-plus intercompany recharge arrangement. The US parent, OpenAI PBC, compensates the UK unit for its operating costs and then adds a profit margin on top. No direct customer sales flow through the subsidiary.
Total staff costs reached £258 million against an average headcount of just 110 employees. That works out to roughly £2.3 million per person in annual staff expenditure, which sounds alarming until you see the breakdown: £87.4 million in wages and salaries, and £167.8 million in share-based compensation.
R&D spending nearly tripled
Research and development expenditure climbed to £117.8 million from £48.2 million in 2024. That is a 144% increase year-over-year.
The accounts were prepared under UK GAAP and audited by Deloitte Ireland LLP. They were filed at Companies House between October 6 and October 13, 2026, making the disclosures public record.
