Overview
Horsham’s economic landscape is characterised by a robust mix of professional, scientific, and technical activities, alongside notable sectors like construction, retail trade, and information and communication. With a total of 53,923 employees and a recent increase in the number of employees across various sectors, the area shows promising growth. The presence of emerging sectors such as Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) and Internet platforms indicates a tilt towards modern, technology-driven industries.
Employment and Business Growth
- Total Employees: Horsham employs 53,923 individuals, showing a diverse employment landscape. The city experienced a growth of 6.20% in employment, indicating a healthy, expanding job market.
- Top Sectors: The leading sectors are Professional, Scientific, and Technical activities (19.76% of companies), Construction (11.51%), and Retail Trade/Repair of Motor Vehicles (10.75%). This diversity suggests a balanced economic base.
- Rising Sectors: Notably, sectors like SaaS and Internet platforms are gaining momentum, reflecting Horsham’s adaptation to digital and tech-driven markets.
Business Continuity
- Company Cessations: The data indicates a total of 13,304 company cessations, juxtaposed with 980 instances of businesses declared dead. This could point towards a dynamic market with high turnover or a challenging business environment.
- New Companies: Horsham has witnessed the inception of 1,012 new companies in the past two years, signifying an entrepreneurial spirit and a conducive environment for startups.
Sector Dynamics
- Top Sectors by Company Count: The Professional, Scientific, and Technical sector leads with 2,163 companies, highlighting Horsham’s strength in knowledge-based industries.
- Exporters and Foreign Parent Companies: With 361 exporters and 221 companies with foreign parentage, Horsham demonstrates a significant level of international business engagement.
Company Trends
- Number of Scaleups: The presence of 60 scaleups indicates a healthy environment for business growth and expansion.
- SMEs: A strong base of 8,791 SMEs forms the backbone of Horsham’s economy, underscoring the importance of small and medium enterprises.
Gender Dynamics in Leadership
- Founders: There is a gender gap in entrepreneurship, with 20.18% female founders compared to 79.82% male founders.
- Directors: The percentage of female directors stands at 28.83%, while male directors account for 67.75%, indicating a need for greater gender diversity in leadership roles.
Conclusion
Horsham’s economic health is marked by a strong and diverse employment base, growth in modern sectors like SaaS, and a vibrant small and medium enterprise scene. The high rate of new company formation points to an entrepreneurial environment, although high company cessation rates suggest market challenges. Efforts to bridge the gender gap in leadership could further strengthen the economic landscape.