Overview
Epping Forest’s economic landscape demonstrates a diverse range of sectors, led by Construction, Real Estate, and Professional Activities. The region shows healthy business growth, with notable increases in employment and a variety of emerging sectors.
Employment and Business Growth
- Total Employees: Epping Forest has 50,194 employees. The employee count has seen a rise with 75 businesses reporting an increase in employees.
- Employee Growth Rate: The region experienced a 8.48% growth in employment, indicating robust economic health and potential for future expansion.
- Top Sectors by Company Count: The leading sectors are Construction (17.18%), Real Estate Activities (13.58%), and Professional, Scientific, and Technical Activities (12.67%). These sectors are pivotal in driving the region’s economic activity.
- Sectors with Most Growth: Emerging sectors include Mobile Apps and Internet Platforms, suggesting a shift towards digital and technology-based industries.
Business Continuity
- Company Cessations: There were 1,536 companies that ceased operations, which is a critical aspect to monitor for understanding business sustainability in the area.
- Total Number of Companies: The region houses 15,820 companies, demonstrating a diverse and robust business ecosystem.
- New Companies (Last 2 Years): Epping Forest has seen the inception of 1,899 new companies in the past two years, highlighting a dynamic and growing entrepreneurial environment.
- Scaleups: The presence of 85 scaleups suggests a healthy environment for business expansion and development.
- SMEs and Exporters: With 12,188 SMEs and 272 exporters, the region showcases a strong backbone of small and medium-sized businesses contributing significantly to the local economy.
Intellectual Property and Innovation
- Patent Owners and Grantees: The area has 84 patent owners and 2 grantees, indicating a moderate level of innovation and intellectual property creation.
- Fundraisings: 6 fundraising events suggest active investment and financial growth opportunities for businesses.
Gender Diversity in Leadership
- Founders Gender: 21.21% of founders are female, 77.78% male, highlighting a gender gap in entrepreneurship.
- Directors Gender: Female directors constitute 25.53%, compared to 70.65% male directors, showing a similar trend in leadership roles.
Conclusion
Epping Forest’s economic landscape is characterised by a diverse and growing business environment with significant participation in construction, real estate, and professional services. The increase in employment and the emergence of new sectors like digital technologies indicate a dynamic and evolving economy. However, challenges such as company cessations and gender disparities in leadership roles need attention to ensure sustainable and inclusive growth.