Overview
The economic landscape of Newport presents a diverse mix of sectors, with a significant emphasis on wholesale and retail trade, professional services, and construction. The city’s employment base is robust, featuring 46,750 employees and a notable upward trend in employment, highlighted by 81 companies reporting growth in their workforce. Newport’s business ecosystem is dynamic, with a considerable number of new companies, scaleups, and active sectors driving economic development.
Employment and Business Growth
- Total Employees: Newport boasts 46,750 employees. The 9.82% employee growth rate indicates a healthy, expanding job market.
- Top Sectors for Employee Growth: Leading sectors include ‘Analytics, Insight, Tools’, ‘Software-as-a-Service (SaaS)’, and ‘Other Business and Professional Services’, each contributing to the vibrant business environment.
Sector Dynamics
- Dominant Sectors: Wholesale/Retail Trade (13.71%), Professional/Scientific Activities (12.71%), and Construction (12.65%) dominate the business landscape.
- Emerging Sectors: Sectors like ‘Internet Platform’ and ‘Consumer Services’ are emerging, reflecting Newport’s evolving economic profile.
Company Trends
- New Companies: In the last two years, Newport saw 2,389 new companies, signifying a robust entrepreneurial spirit.
- SMEs and Scaleups: The presence of 6,049 SMEs and 40 scaleups illustrates a diverse business size spectrum and potential for growth.
- Exporters and Foreign Parent Companies: With 126 exporters and 141 companies with foreign parentage, Newport demonstrates significant international business engagement.
Intellectual Property and Innovation
- Patent Owners and Grantees: The city has 179 patent owners and 8 grantees, underscoring a culture of innovation.
- Spinouts and Fundraisings: Newport has an environment conducive to innovation, though spinouts are currently nonexistent.
Diversity in Leadership
- Founders and Directors Gender Balance: Female founders represent 14.41% of the total, while male founders account for 83.78%. In directorship, 25.45% are female and 70.91% male, indicating a gender gap in leadership roles.
- Age Distribution of Directors: Directors are spread across age groups, with a slight concentration in the 50-60 age bracket (24.49%).
Business Continuity
- Company Cessations: Newport experienced 1,255 company cessations, a figure that needs attention for business sustainability.
Conclusion
Newport’s economic environment is characterised by a strong employment base with diverse sectors leading the way. The city shows significant entrepreneurial activity and international engagement, though it faces challenges in company sustainability and gender disparity in leadership. The focus on innovation and diverse age representation in directorship are positive indicators for future growth.