Overview
Knowsley’s economic landscape is characterised by a diverse range of sectors, with Construction and Wholesale/Retail Trade being the most prominent. The total employment count stands at 45,115, indicating a vibrant job market. However, there is a notable gender disparity in both company founders and directors, with a higher proportion of males in both categories.
Employment and Business Growth
- Total Employees: Knowsley has 45,115 employees. This number is significant for the local economy and indicates a robust employment scenario.
- Employee Growth Rate: The percentage growth of employees is 11.44%, reflecting a healthy and expanding job market.
- Top Sectors by Company Count: Construction (995 companies), Wholesale/Retail Trade (672), and Professional/Scientific Activities (547) dominate the local economy.
- Sectors with Rising Company Counts: Sectors like Insurance Services and Medical Instrumentation are emerging, though their absolute numbers are small.
- Number of Scaleups: There are 45 scaleups, showing a promising environment for growing businesses.
Business Continuity
- Company Cessations: There have been 7,460 company cessations, indicating challenges in sustaining businesses in the long term.
- New Companies in Last 2 Years: 1,676 new companies have been established in the past two years, showing a dynamic and entrepreneurial business environment.
Gender Representation in Leadership
- Founders’ Gender: 93.94% male founders, 3.03% female founders, and 3.03% unknown. This highlights a significant gender gap in entrepreneurship.
- Directors’ Gender: 73.98% male directors, 23.33% female directors, and 2.70% unknown. Although better than founders, there’s still a notable gender disparity.
Innovation and Internationalisation
- Number of Patent Owners and Grantees: A total of 93 entities hold patents or have received grants, indicating a moderate level of innovation.
- Exporters and Foreign Parent Companies: 156 exporters and 71 companies with foreign parentage suggest a degree of international business integration.
Conclusion
Knowsley exhibits a robust employment market with a diverse sector presence. However, challenges in business continuity and a stark gender disparity in leadership positions are notable. The presence of scaleups and new companies indicates a dynamic business environment, but the low female representation in founding and director roles calls for more inclusive entrepreneurship and leadership initiatives.