Overview
Dundee City, with its diverse economic landscape, shows a dynamic mix of sectors contributing to its growth. The total number of employees stands at 35,248, indicating a robust workforce. Notably, there’s been a rise in employment, with 429 companies reporting an increase in their workforce. Key sectors like professional, scientific, technical activities, and construction lead the way in company count, reflecting a balanced economic structure. The city’s inclination towards innovative sectors is evident, with growth in areas like mobile apps and analytics. However, the absence of IPOs suggests a focus on growth over public market exits.
Employment and Business Growth
- Total Employees: 35,248 employees represent a diverse workforce. The 6.78% employee growth rate is a positive sign, showing economic vitality and job creation momentum.
- Employee Growth: 429 companies reported an increase in employees, underlining the city’s capacity for business expansion and employment opportunities.
Sector Dynamics
- Top Sectors: The leading sectors by company count are professional, scientific and technical activities (1,132 companies), construction (1,027 companies), and retail trade (972 companies). This diversity indicates a well-rounded economic base.
- Emerging Sectors: Sectors like mobile apps and analytics are on the rise, highlighting Dundee’s adaptation to the digital economy and innovation-driven sectors.
Company Trends
- Total Companies: There are 9,181 companies in Dundee City, with 1,957 new companies formed in the last two years, indicating a healthy entrepreneurial environment.
- SMEs and Scaleups: The city hosts 5,899 SMEs and 37 scaleups, demonstrating a strong base of small and medium enterprises alongside growing businesses.
- International and Innovative Presence: With 122 exporters and 81 companies having a foreign parent, Dundee’s economy is globally connected. Furthermore, the presence of 90 patent owners and 14 grantees reflects a focus on innovation.
Governance and Leadership
- Gender Representation in Founders and Directors: Founders show a gender split of 9.73% female and 89.38% male, while directorship is more balanced with 26.26% female and 70.45% male directors.
- Age Distribution of Directors: Directors’ age distribution shows a broad range, with significant representation in the 50-60 age group (26.43%).
Business Continuity
- Company Cessations: The data indicates 821 companies ceased operations, which is a critical metric for assessing business sustainability in the city.
Conclusion
Dundee City exhibits a healthy mix of traditional and emerging sectors, with a strong inclination towards innovation and technology-driven industries. The growth in employee numbers and new companies highlights a dynamic business environment. However, the challenge remains in enhancing gender diversity among founders and addressing company cessations to ensure long-term economic resilience.