Overview
High Peak’s economic landscape is characterised by a diverse mix of sectors with significant representation in professional, scientific, technical activities, and retail trade. The region shows a dynamic business environment, evident in the growth of employees, the presence of scale-ups, and a substantial number of new companies established in the last two years. Despite the absence of IPOs, the region’s economic vitality is indicated by factors such as SMEs, exporters, and companies with foreign parentage.
Employment and Business Growth
- Total Employees: 19,306. High Peak has witnessed a considerable employee base, with a notable 6.26% growth rate. This growth is reflective of a robust economic environment.
- Employee Growth: The region has 34 companies that have raised the number of employees, suggesting a positive trend in employment opportunities.
- Scale-ups: The presence of 27 scale-ups indicates a nurturing environment for business expansion and development.
Sector Analysis
- Top Sectors: The leading sector is ‘Professional, scientific and technical activities’ with 877 companies (16.93%), followed by ‘Wholesale and retail trade’ (12.01%) and ‘Construction’ (11.28%). These sectors are pivotal in driving the region’s economic activity.
- Emerging Sectors: Sectors showing significant growth include ‘Internet platform’ and ‘Offline games publishing’, among others. These emerging sectors could be vital for future economic diversification.
Business Dynamics
- New Companies: 618 new companies in the last two years, indicating a vibrant startup ecosystem.
- SMEs and Exporters: 4,162 SMEs and 171 exporters highlight the region’s business diversity and international trade engagement.
- Foreign Parent Companies: The presence of 64 companies with foreign parentage underscores the region’s global business connectivity.
Innovation and Investment
- Fundraisings: 262 companies involved in fundraising activities reflect a healthy investment climate.
- Patent Owners and Grantees: The presence of patent owners and grantees suggests a focus on innovation and intellectual property development.
Governance and Leadership
- Founders’ Gender: 18.18% of companies have female founders, while 81.82% have male founders.
- Directors’ Gender: 30.06% female directors and 66.81% male directors, indicating scope for enhanced gender diversity in leadership.
- Age Distribution of Directors: A balanced distribution across age groups, with a notable presence of directors above 50 years of age.
Conclusion
High Peak exhibits a dynamic and diverse economic landscape with strengths in traditional sectors and emerging areas like internet platforms and game publishing. The region’s healthy employment growth, vibrant startup ecosystem, and focus on innovation position it well for future economic resilience and growth.