Overview
Bracknell Forest exhibits a diverse economic landscape, marked by significant activity in professional, scientific, technical activities, and information and communication sectors. With 74,796 total employees and a 5.8% growth in employment, the area shows signs of a robust business environment. Despite no IPOs, the presence of 41 scaleups indicates a nurturing ecosystem for business expansion. The gender distribution among founders and directors highlights a gender gap, with a higher prevalence of male leadership.
Employment and Business Growth
- Total Employees: 74,796 employees in the area show a healthy employment rate. The employee growth rate of 5.8% is a positive indicator of the region’s economic dynamism.
- Top Sectors by Employment Growth: The leading sectors in employment growth include Professional, Scientific, and Technical activities (17.18%), Information and Communication (13.87%), and Wholesale and Retail Trade (11.17%). This diverse sectoral growth underpins the area’s economic resilience.
Business Continuity
- Company Cessations: There are no data points provided specifically for company cessations. However, the presence of 1,709 new companies in the past two years indicates active business initiation, suggesting a dynamic business environment.
Diversity in Leadership
- Gender Distribution in Leadership: 17.39% of founders are female, indicating a need for more gender diversity in entrepreneurship. Among directors, 27% are female, which is more balanced but still shows room for improvement.
Business Dynamics
- Scaleups and New Companies: The presence of 41 scaleups and 909 new companies signifies a fertile ground for emerging businesses. The significant number of new companies (1,709 in 2 years) highlights a trend of continual business creation.
- SMEs and Exporters: With 5,427 SMEs and 192 exporters, Bracknell Forest has a robust small and medium-sized enterprise sector, contributing to its economic diversity.
- Patent Owners and Fundraisings: The low number of patent owners (2) and fundraisings (4) might indicate a need for more innovation and investment in the region.
Sectoral Trends
- Dominant Sectors: The dominant sectors by company numbers are Professional, Scientific, and Technical activities, and Information and Communication, which aligns with contemporary trends in technology and service-based economies.
- Emerging Sectors: Sectors like Book Shops and Toys, Games, and Sports Equipment, though small in numbers, show the diversity of the local economy.
Conclusion
Bracknell Forest’s economic landscape is marked by a strong and diverse employment base, significant new company formation, and a healthy SME sector. While there are gaps in gender diversity in leadership roles, the region shows promising growth in key modern sectors. The economic health of the area is robust, with ample opportunities for continued growth and diversification.