Overview
Crawley, a dynamic city in terms of business and economy, has a diversified economic landscape. The city is marked by significant activity in various sectors, including wholesale, retail trade, professional services, and administrative support. A total of 143,029 employees work across these sectors, with notable growth in certain areas. The data indicates a healthy mix of industries contributing to the city’s economic vitality.
Employment and Business Growth
- Total Employees: Crawley has a robust workforce of 143,029 employees. The city has witnessed a rise in employment numbers, indicating a thriving job market.
- Employee Growth: A positive employment growth of 9.62% is observed, reflecting the city’s expanding economic activities.
- Top Sectors by Employee Numbers: The leading sectors in terms of employment are wholesale/retail trade, professional services, and administrative support. These sectors are critical drivers of Crawley’s economy.
- Top Growing Sectors: Airlines, clean energy generation, and internet platforms are among the fastest-growing sectors, signaling emerging areas of economic development.
Sector Dynamics
- Top Sectors by Company Numbers: The sectors with the most companies are wholesale/retail trade, professional services, and administrative support. This diversity underpins the city’s economic resilience.
- Company Growth Trends: The rise in new companies (1,668 in 2 years) shows an encouraging environment for business formation. Particularly, SMEs (4,204) and companies with foreign parentage (432) play a significant role.
Business Continuity
- Company Cessations: There have been 754 company cessations, which needs to be considered in the context of new company growth and overall economic dynamics.
Entrepreneurship and Innovation
- Startups and Scaleups: There are 71 scaleups, highlighting Crawley’s potential for business expansion. The presence of 689 patent owners and 6 grantees also points to a strong innovation ecosystem.
- Gender Diversity in Leadership: Female founders represent 12.31% of the total, while female directors constitute 22.06%. This indicates a need for greater gender diversity in leadership roles.
Conclusion
Crawley’s economy is characterised by a strong and diverse business sector, significant employment growth, and an environment conducive to new business and scaleup development. While there are challenges in terms of company cessations and gender diversity in leadership, the overall economic health of the city is robust, driven by a blend of traditional and emerging sectors.