Overview
Pendle, a local council area, exhibits a diverse economic landscape characterised by a strong presence in wholesale and retail trade, professional services, and construction. The area has a total of 28,967 employees, with notable growth observed in several sectors. Despite the absence of IPOs, the council area has shown resilience and potential for innovation, as indicated by the presence of scaleups and new companies. Gender diversity in leadership roles, especially among directors, presents an area for further development.
Employment and Business Growth
- Total Employees: Pendle has 28,967 employees. The employee base has grown by 7.57%.
- Analysis: This growth rate is indicative of a robust local economy. The presence of 24 scaleups suggests a strong entrepreneurial spirit and the potential for significant future economic contributions.
Sector Dynamics
- Top Sectors by Number of Companies: Wholesale/Retail Trade (20.45%), Professional Services (11.97%), Construction (10.98%), Administrative Services (10.04%), Real Estate (7.9%).
- Analysis: The dominance of trade and professional services reflects a balanced economic structure, offering stability and diversification. The significant portion of construction companies indicates ongoing development and potential for future growth in infrastructure.
Business Continuity
- Company Cessations: 606 companies ceased operations.
- Analysis: This number represents a challenge to business sustainability in Pendle. The council may need to explore strategies to support business continuity, especially in the context of post-pandemic recovery.
Gender Diversity in Leadership
- Founders’ Gender: 15% female founders, 85% male founders.
- Directors’ Gender: 24.62% female directors, 72.68% male directors.
- Analysis: While there is a notable presence of women in leadership roles, there is room for improvement in gender diversity, particularly at the founder level.
Company Trends
- New Companies in 2 Years: 1,621 new companies.
- Total SMEs: 3,442 SMEs.
- Exporters: 140 exporters.
- Companies with Foreign Parent: 62 companies.
- Analysis: The influx of new companies and the significant number of SMEs demonstrate a dynamic business environment. The presence of exporters and companies with foreign parentage indicates global connectivity.
Innovation and Growth
- Patent Owners: 1 patent owner.
- Fundraisings: 38 fundraisings.
- Analysis: The limited number of patent owners suggests a potential area for growth in innovation. Fundraisings indicate active investment activities, essential for supporting new and growing businesses.
Conclusion
Pendle’s economy shows promising signs of growth and diversity, with a strong presence in trade, professional services, and construction. The rise in employee numbers and the influx of new companies demonstrate economic vitality. However, challenges such as company cessations and the need for greater gender diversity in leadership roles must be addressed. Fostering innovation and supporting business continuity are essential for sustaining this positive trajectory.