A number of firms have said they plan to expand or open subsidiaries in Dublin if Britain does not retain access to the single market, including insurer XL (>> XL Group Ltd) and asset manager Legg Mason (>> Legg Mason Inc), though the city is competing with other centres for such business, including Frankfurt and Luxembourg.

“The growth of our business depends on being able to provide a high level of support to major global clients as they address some very significant challenges posed by Brexit,” said Odgers Berndtson's chief executive, Kester Scrope.

Use of the English language and high levels of education were among the attractions of Ireland and the Irish workforce, Charlie Thompson, a partner in the financial services practice at Odgers Berndtson, told Reuters.

Odgers Berndtson has 56 offices in 28 countries following the Dublin opening.

(Reporting by Carolyn CohnEditing by Greg Mahlich)

Stocks treated in this article : Legg Mason Inc, XL Group Ltd