Overview
Adur’s economic landscape is characterised by a diverse range of sectors, with notable strengths in professional, scientific, technical activities, construction, and wholesale and retail trade. The region has experienced growth in employment, demonstrated by the increase in total employees and companies specialising in various sectors. Despite no new IPOs, the presence of scaleups and a substantial number of SMEs indicates a dynamic business environment. The gender distribution among founders and directors highlights ongoing challenges in achieving gender parity in leadership roles.
Employment and Business Growth
- Total Employees: Adur employs 33,089 individuals. The region has seen a positive change with 228 companies reporting an increase in employees.
- Employment Rate Growth: There’s been a 7.45% growth in employment, reflecting a robust job market.
- New Companies (2 Years): The emergence of 872 new companies over two years signals a vibrant entrepreneurial scene.
- Scaleups: With 25 scaleups, Adur demonstrates an environment conducive to business growth.
Sector Dynamics
- Top Sectors: The leading sectors are professional, scientific, and technical activities (646 companies), construction (566), and wholesale/retail trade (501). This diversity underscores the region’s economic versatility.
- Sectors with Most Growth: Sectors like Distribution and Machinery are showing promising growth with new company additions.
Company Trends
- Total Companies: There are 4,133 active companies in Adur.
- Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs): A total of 3,257 SMEs form the backbone of Adur’s economy.
- Exporters and Foreign Parent Companies: The presence of 131 exporters and 77 companies with foreign parentage indicates international business engagement.
Innovation and Investment
- Patent Owners and Grantees: With 1,034 patent owners and 4 grantees, innovation is a key feature of the local economy.
- Fundraisings: 3 fundraising events suggest a modest but present investment activity.
Gender Representation in Business
- Founders: 18.75% of founders are female, indicating a gender gap in entrepreneurial ventures.
- Directors: 27.18% of directors are female, showing a similar trend in leadership roles.
Company Lifespan and Dynamics
- Young Companies with Young Directors: 143 companies are led by young directors, showcasing youth involvement in business.
- Company Cessations: 427 companies ceased operations, highlighting the challenges in the business lifecycle.
Conclusion
Adur presents a dynamic and diverse economic landscape with strengths in various sectors. While there’s positive growth in employment and business development, challenges remain in gender diversity in leadership roles and business sustainability. The region’s innovation capacity, reflected in the number of patent owners, along with its international business engagement, positions it well for future economic resilience and growth.