Overview
Swale’s economic landscape is characterised by a diverse business sector with a strong presence in construction, professional services, and trade. The area has a total of 37,520 employees, indicating a vibrant job market. Despite no recent IPOs, there’s a notable growth in employment, showing a positive trend in economic development.
Employment and Business Growth
- Total Employees: Swale has 37,520 employees, showing healthy employment levels.
- Employee Growth Rate: The employee growth rate stands at 57.64%, indicating a robust increase in job creation.
- Number of Scaleups: There are 64 scaleup companies, suggesting a dynamic environment for business expansion.
- Top Sectors with Employee Growth: Notable sectors with employee growth include construction, professional services, and trade.
Sector Dynamics
- Top Sectors by Number of Companies: Construction (1,185 companies), Professional Services (960 companies), and Trade (886 companies) dominate Swale’s business landscape.
- Sectors with Most Growth: Emerging sectors include Materials Technology and Chemicals, showing diversification in the economy.
Company Trends
- Total Number of Companies: Swale hosts 7,568 companies.
- New Companies in Last 2 Years: 1,825 new companies were established in the last two years, reflecting an entrepreneurial spirit.
- SMEs and Exporters: A significant number of SMEs (5,849) and exporters (169) contribute to the local economy.
- Companies with Foreign Parentage: 102 companies have foreign parentage, indicating international business interest.
Business Continuity
- Company Cessations: Swale saw 722 companies ceasing operations, a figure to monitor for economic stability.
- Dead Companies: No new company deaths were recorded, a positive sign for business continuity.
Gender and Age Diversity in Leadership
- Founders’ Gender: 17.31% of founders are female, while 82.69% are male.
- Directors’ Gender: Female directors constitute 28.01%, and male directors 68.43%.
- Age Distribution of Directors: The largest group of directors falls in the 50-60 age bracket (27.67%).
Innovation and Growth
- Number of Patent Owners and Grantees: 95 patent owners and 4 grantees suggest innovation.
- Fundraising Activities: 2 fundraising activities indicate investment interest.
Conclusion
Swale demonstrates a thriving and diverse economic landscape with strong growth in employment and business activities. The presence of a significant number of SMEs and exporters, along with emerging sectors, suggests a dynamic and evolving economy. Attention to company cessations and gender diversity in leadership can further strengthen the economic fabric of Swale.