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The information is accurate as of 31 December 2022.
Data courtesy of Beauhurst.

Analysis Report: Economic and Business Activity in Brentwood

Overview

Brentwood showcases a dynamic economic landscape with a strong presence in the construction and professional sectors. With 53,309 employees and notable growth in employee numbers, Brentwood’s economy is evidently thriving. The diverse sector presence, from construction to tech, and a healthy balance in company demographics indicate a robust and evolving business environment.

Employment and Business Growth

  • Total Employees: Brentwood has 53,309 employees. This number is significant, reflecting the city’s ability to sustain and grow its workforce.
  • Employee Growth: The employee growth rate is 7.86%, signaling a healthy increase in employment opportunities. This growth is essential for the city’s economic sustainability.
  • Top Sectors by Company Numbers: Key sectors include Construction (1,461 companies), Professional, Scientific, and Technical Activities (1,371 companies), and Administrative Support (1,064 companies), indicating a diverse industrial base.
  • Top Sectors Showing Growth: Sectors like Other Personal Services, Analytics, and Clean Energy Generation are emerging, suggesting diversification and innovation in Brentwood’s economy.
  • Number of Scaleups: With 42 scaleups, Brentwood demonstrates a nurturing environment for business expansion, crucial for long-term economic vitality.

Business Continuity

  • Company Cessations: There were 945 company cessations, a normal part of the business life cycle, indicating market corrections and shifts.
  • New Companies in Last Two Years: 1,909 new companies in the last two years show entrepreneurial spirit and a conducive environment for startups.
  • Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs): With 7,071 SMEs, Brentwood has a strong backbone of small businesses, crucial for economic resilience.
  • Exporters and Foreign Parent Companies: The presence of 166 exporters and 100 companies with foreign parentage reflects global business integration.
  • Fundraisings and Patent Owners: 131 fundraisings and 3 patent owners show a mix of investment activity and innovation potential.

Leadership and Company Demographics

  • Gender Diversity in Founders and Directors: Founders have 13.21% females, indicating a gap in gender diversity. Directors fare better at 26.16% female representation.
  • Age Distribution of Directors: Directors’ age distribution is fairly balanced, with a slight skew towards the 50-60 age group, suggesting experienced leadership.
  • Young Companies with Young Directors: 324 companies led by young directors signify emerging leadership and possibly innovative business approaches.

Conclusion

Brentwood’s economy is characterized by a strong workforce, diverse sectors, and a positive environment for new and scaling businesses. The city shows potential in newer sectors alongside traditional ones, with a need to enhance gender diversity in entrepreneurship. The balanced age distribution among company directors indicates a mix of experience and new perspectives driving the local economy.

Company foundations and cessations over time

Active companies over time

The information is accurate as of 31 December 2022.
Data courtesy of Beauhurst.