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

Analysis Report: Economic and Business Activity in Glasgow City

Overview

Glasgow City presents a dynamic economic landscape with a diverse range of sectors contributing to its growth. The city’s total employment stands at 355,256, indicating a robust workforce. Key sectors like wholesale, retail trade, professional services, and real estate play significant roles. The presence of innovative sectors, such as internet platforms and SaaS, showcases Glasgow’s evolving business environment. Despite no new IPOs, the city shows healthy signs of business expansion and entrepreneurial spirit.

Employment and Business Growth

  • Total Employees: 355,256. Glasgow City’s employment base is strong, with 2,099 companies reporting an increase in employees, signifying a positive trend in job creation.
  • Employee Growth Rate: 11.50%. This growth rate indicates a healthy expansion in the workforce, reflecting an attractive business environment and potentially a growing economy.
  • Number of Scaleups: 207. The presence of scaleup companies, those rapidly expanding, points to a fertile ground for business innovation and growth.
  • New Companies (Last 2 Years): 7,328. This number demonstrates a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem and the city’s appeal for new business ventures.

Sector Dynamics

  • Top Sectors: Wholesale/retail trade and repair of motor vehicles (13.78%), professional, scientific and technical activities (12.94%), and real estate activities (9.55%) are the leading sectors. These sectors reflect the city’s diversified economic base.
  • Sector Growth: Key rising sectors include internet platforms and analytics, highlighting Glasgow’s growing prominence in the digital and technology space.

Business Continuity

  • Company Cessations: 5,705. This figure, while representing the natural cycle of business, also underscores the need for supportive measures for business sustainability.
  • New Companies (Total): 13,246. This high number of new companies over recent years shows a strong entrepreneurial spirit and business formation activity in Glasgow.

Gender Representation

  • Founders: 20.32% female, 77.94% male. The data indicates a gender gap in entrepreneurship that may need addressing for more balanced representation.
  • Directors: 25.16% female, 70.33% male. Similarly, the gender gap in leadership positions is evident, suggesting the need for initiatives to promote gender diversity in business leadership.

Conclusion

Glasgow City’s economic landscape is marked by a substantial and growing workforce, a diverse range of flourishing sectors, and a strong entrepreneurial environment. The city shows potential in emerging digital sectors, though it faces challenges in gender diversity in entrepreneurship and business leadership. Overall, the economic indicators suggest a thriving and diverse economic ecosystem, with room for initiatives to further support business growth and diversity.

Company foundations and cessations over time

Active companies over time

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