Overview
The Forest of Dean presents a dynamic and diverse economic landscape. With 15,740 employees and a 7.8% growth in employment, the region shows positive development in its workforce. The dominant sectors, such as Professional, Scientific, Technical activities, Construction, and Wholesale/Retail Trade, indicate a balanced mix of traditional and modern industries. However, the lack of IPOs (Initial Public Offerings) suggests limited activity in high-growth enterprises.
Employment and Business Growth
- Total Employees: 15,740 employees. The area has seen a 7.8% growth in employment, suggesting robust economic activity and job creation. The high number of employees in diverse sectors illustrates a stable job market.
- Sectors with Employment Growth: Notable growth is seen in sectors like Professional/Scientific/Technical activities and Construction. This growth reflects a trend towards specialised, knowledge-based services and a strong construction industry.
- Number of Scale-ups: There are 19 scale-up companies, which are critical for sustained economic growth as they often lead to job creation and innovation.
Sector Dynamics
- Top Sectors: The leading sectors include Professional/Scientific/Technical activities (660 companies), Construction (585 companies), and Wholesale/Retail Trade (482 companies). These sectors form the backbone of the local economy, contributing significantly to employment and business activities.
- Sectors Showing Rapid Growth: The sectors with notable company increases include Other Personal Services, Educational Services, and Food & Drink Processors. This diversity indicates a healthy, evolving business environment.
Company Trends
- New Companies: In the last two years, 866 new companies have been established, bringing the total number of new companies to 474. This indicates a vibrant entrepreneurial climate.
- Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs): SMEs number 3,380, showing the area’s reliance on small businesses as economic drivers.
- Exporters and Foreign Parent Companies: There are 123 exporters and 30 companies with foreign parentage, suggesting a degree of international engagement in the local economy.
Business Continuity
- Company Cessations: There have been 577 company cessations, a figure that should be monitored to understand business sustainability in the region.
- Patent Owners and Grantees: The presence of 41 patent owners and 4 grantees indicates some level of innovation and research activity, although this could be further developed.
Diversity in Leadership
- Founders’ Gender: 7.69% female founders and 92.31% male founders. This highlights a significant gender gap in entrepreneurship.
- Directors’ Gender: 27.45% female directors and 67.24% male directors show better but still unequal gender representation in leadership positions.
Conclusion
Forest of Dean’s economy is characterised by a strong mix of traditional and modern sectors, with a significant number of SMEs and a growing workforce. However, the limited presence of high-growth enterprises and a notable gender gap in entrepreneurship and leadership roles suggest areas for improvement. The diversity of new businesses and the presence of innovation-related activities provide a positive outlook for future economic development.