Overview
The Cotswold area presents a diverse and growing economic landscape. With a total of 42,204 employees, there is a positive trend in employment growth, evidenced by the presence of 67 companies reporting increases in employee numbers. The dominant sectors in the region include professional, scientific, technical activities, wholesale and retail trade, and administrative support services. Notably, sectors such as food and drink processing, retail, and wholesale have shown significant growth. The area has witnessed a single IPO, indicating burgeoning entrepreneurial activity. Additionally, a remarkable 13.58% employee growth rate and 42 scaleups underscore the dynamic business environment. The region boasts 7,683 companies, including 720 new companies in the past two years, highlighting an environment conducive to new business ventures.
Employment and Business Growth
- Total Employees: Cotswold employs 42,204 individuals, with a notable increase in employment as indicated by 67 companies reporting employee growth.
- Sectors with Employment Growth: Key sectors showing an increase include food and drink processing, retail, and wholesale.
- Percentage Employee Growth: The area has experienced a substantial 13.58% growth in employment, suggesting a robust job market and business expansion.
Sector Dynamics
- Top Sectors: The leading sectors are professional, scientific, technical activities (19.65%), wholesale and retail trade (12.89%), and administrative support services (9.68%).
- Emerging Sectors: Food and drink processing and mobile apps are among the rapidly growing sectors.
Company Trends
- Total Companies: The region is home to 7,683 companies.
- New Companies: There have been 720 new companies in the last two years, indicating a thriving start-up ecosystem.
- SMEs and Exporters: The area supports 6,098 SMEs and 251 exporters, demonstrating a strong small and medium enterprise sector with international reach.
- Foreign Parent Companies: There are 130 companies with foreign parentage, showing global interest and investment in the region.
Business Continuity
- Company Cessations: A total of 599 companies have ceased operations, which, while indicative of market challenges, is a relatively small percentage of the total company count.
Diversity and Inclusivity
- Gender Representation: The region shows a progressive trend in gender diversity, with 28.57% of founders being female and 30.78% female directors, although there is still room for improvement.
Conclusion
The Cotswold region exhibits a vibrant and diverse economic landscape, characterised by significant growth in employment and the emergence of new sectors. The area’s business environment is conducive to the establishment and growth of SMEs, with an encouraging trend towards gender diversity in leadership roles. However, there remains a need to address the cessation of companies and enhance support mechanisms for sustainable business growth.