Overview
Kingston upon Thames demonstrates a diverse and dynamic economic landscape. With a total of 85,387 employees and 187 businesses experiencing employee growth, the city shows signs of robust economic health. The data indicates a strong presence in sectors like professional, scientific, and technical activities, alongside significant activities in wholesale, retail, and information and communication sectors.
Employment and Business Growth
- Total Employees: 85,387. This figure represents the workforce’s size within Kingston upon Thames. The city’s diverse economic sectors contribute to a substantial employment base.
- Employee Growth: 187 businesses reported growth in employees, indicating an expanding job market and possibly reflecting broader economic health in the city.
- Percentage Employee Growth: 9.71%. This indicates a healthy growth rate in employment, suggesting a positive economic environment for business expansion and new ventures.
Sector Dynamics
- Top Sectors: The leading sectors include professional, scientific and technical activities (17.37% of companies), wholesale/retail trade and repair of motor vehicles (13%), and information and communication (11.77%). This diversity highlights a balanced economic structure, not overly dependent on a single industry.
- Sectors with Most Growth: Sectors like Software-as-a-Service (SaaS), analytics, and internet platforms are among the top growers, showcasing the city’s adaptability to modern, tech-oriented business models.
Business Continuity
- Company Cessations: Kingston upon Thames has experienced a total of 1,578 company cessations, which could indicate market saturation, competitive pressures, or other economic challenges.
- New Companies (2 Years): 3,506 new companies have been established in the last two years, reflecting a vibrant entrepreneurial spirit and a conducive environment for startups.
Gender Representation in Leadership
- Founders: The city has 18.52% female founders and 80.74% male founders, with a small percentage of unknown gender. This shows a gender gap in entrepreneurial initiatives.
- Directors: Female directors make up 28.54%, while male directors are at 64.92%. This highlights a similar gender gap in corporate leadership roles.
Innovation and Development
- Patent Owners and Grantees: There are 113 patent owners and 4 grantees, indicating a moderate level of innovation activity in the city.
- Scale-ups: The presence of 63 scale-ups suggests a nurturing environment for growing businesses.
Conclusion
Kingston upon Thames presents a dynamic and diverse economic landscape with strong employment growth and sector diversity. The city shows a promising environment for new businesses and scale-ups, despite a notable gender gap in leadership roles and some challenges in business continuity. It remains a hub for sectors like SaaS, professional services, and retail, with potential for further growth in tech-oriented sectors.