Cato Networks has become the latest major vendor to fall for the allure of London, announcing plans to hire nearly 50 staff at its new Holborn ‘AI Hub’.
The $4.8bn-valued SASE vendor’s plans follow major investments in the UK capital from the likes of Microsoft, OpenAI, Anthropic, Wiz and Fortinet.
Cato in February claimed it is “significantly outpacing” the SASE market as it unveiled a 43% uplift in 2025 ARR to $350m.
This comes after a $409m Series G funding round last September valued it at $4.8bn.
Based in the Holborn neighbourhood, Cato’s new hub will focus on key strategic areas, including AI, SMB growth, and security innovation.
Initially housing a core group of data scientists, software engineers and product managers, headcount there is set to expand to “nearly 50 members” over the next three years (adding to its existing near 100-employee UK footprint).
In a nod to the panic created around the advent of Claude Mythos, Cato said the move comes in response to “surging demand for AI security”.
“This strategic expansion elevates our global R&D footprint, anchoring us closer to one of the world’s leading AI and cybersecurity talent hubs, and helping us build the technologies customers need to securely adopt AI at scale,” stated Cato CEO and co-founder Shlomo Kramer.
A capital idea
Cato’s push follows major Kings Cross-based expansion moves by both OpenAI and Anthropic in April.
OpenAI announced plans to open an office for 544 staff there next year, while Anthropic cut the ribbon on an 800-seat hub.
Major cyber vendors ramping up headcount in the capital include cloud security outfit Wiz (see here) and Fortinet, the latter of which announced the opening of its new London office and Customer Experience Centre last month.
“I’m incredibly excited to build a world-class AI innovation hub right here in London,” stated Director of Engineering Avidan Avraham, who will lead Cato’s new AI hub.
“The opportunity here is vast, and building alongside other global tech giants that have chosen to set up in the city gives us access to a rich pool of experience and talent that we can tap into and develop.”
