Overview
Flintshire exhibits a diverse economic profile with significant activity in sectors like wholesale, retail trade, professional services, and construction. The presence of 9,579 companies and a total employment of 95,979 indicates a robust business ecosystem. However, the lack of IPOs suggests limited activity in the public market sector. The gender diversity in founder and director roles shows room for improvement, with a higher representation of males in both categories.
Employment and Business Growth
- Total Employees: 95,979. Flintshire’s workforce is substantial, contributing significantly to the local economy. The 6.47% employee growth rate indicates a healthy job market.
- Employee Growth: The 93 companies that have increased their workforce underscore a positive business expansion trend.
- Top Sectors for Growth: The top sectors showing growth are ‘Other manufacturing and engineering’, ‘Building materials’, ‘Oil and gas’, ‘Payment processing’, and ‘Clean energy generation’. This diversity suggests a balanced economic development across various industries.
Sector Dynamics
- Top Sectors by Company Numbers: Wholesale and retail trade leads with 1,302 companies, followed by professional services (1,049 companies), and construction (860 companies). These sectors are pivotal to Flintshire’s economic fabric.
- Emerging Sectors: Sectors such as clean energy and payment processing, though small in number, indicate an evolving economic landscape, adapting to modern technological and environmental trends.
Business Continuity
- Company Cessations: There were 8,920 company closures, which, compared to the total number of companies, suggests a dynamic business environment with ongoing churn.
- New Companies in 2 Years: 1,820 new companies in two years show a vibrant startup ecosystem.
Gender Diversity in Leadership
- Founders: 14.04% female founders versus 85.96% male founders.
- Directors: 27.66% female directors versus 69.42% male directors. This data points to a gender gap in leadership roles within the business community.
Other Key Indicators
- Number of Scaleups: 54, indicating a moderate level of high-growth companies.
- SMEs and Exporters: 5,529 SMEs and 231 exporters, suggesting a strong base of small and medium-sized enterprises with international reach.
- Foreign Parent Companies: 118, showing a level of international investment and influence.
- Fundraising and Innovation: 172 fundraisings and 9 patent owners highlight Flintshire’s potential for innovation and investment attractiveness.
- Young Companies with Young Directors: 303 companies, signifying a youthful entrepreneurial spirit.
Conclusion
Flintshire’s economic landscape is marked by a strong presence in traditional sectors like wholesale, retail, and construction, coupled with emerging areas like clean energy. While the gender gap in leadership roles remains a challenge, the dynamic startup scene and consistent business growth signal a healthy and evolving economic environment. The balance of established and new industries positions Flintshire well for future economic resilience and innovation.