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The information is accurate as of 31 December 2022.
Data courtesy of Beauhurst.

Analysis Report: Economic and Business Activity in Swansea

Overview

Swansea’s economic landscape shows a vibrant mix of sectors with a total of 55,582 employees. The city demonstrates a dynamic business environment, highlighted by a significant number of companies in various sectors, robust growth in employment, and a diverse range of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Employment and Business Growth

  • Total Employees: Swansea has 55,582 employees, with 149 companies reporting an increase in employee count. This suggests a healthy employment market.
  • Employee Growth: The percentage growth in employee count is 12.46%, indicating a robust increase in employment opportunities.
  • Top Sectors by Number of Companies: The leading sectors are Wholesale/Retail Trade and Repair (1,595 companies), Construction (1,566), and Professional/Scientific Activities (1,475). These sectors form the backbone of Swansea’s economy.
  • Top Sectors with Rising Number of Companies: The sectors with a notable increase in companies are Internet Platform, Software-as-a-Service (SaaS), and Mobile Apps, reflecting Swansea’s growing tech industry.

Business Continuity

  • Company Cessations: Swansea has seen a total of 1,399 company cessations, which is a critical aspect to monitor for assessing the business environment’s health.
  • New Companies in the Last 2 Years: There are 3,039 new companies, showing a significant influx of new business ventures.
  • Number of SMEs: The city hosts 9,362 SMEs, highlighting its diverse and vibrant small business sector.

Sector Dynamics

  • Number of Scaleups: The presence of 52 scaleups indicates a healthy environment for business growth and expansion.
  • Top Sectors by Growth: Sectors like Internet Platform, SaaS, and Mobile Apps are rapidly expanding, suggesting a shift towards a more digital and tech-oriented economy.
  • Total Number of Companies: Swansea has a total of 12,341 companies, with a variety of sectors represented, showing a diverse economic base.
  • Number of IPOs: There have been no IPOs, indicating a potential area for future growth.

Gender Representation

  • Founders Gender: 19.38% of founders are female, 78.29% male, showing a gender disparity in entrepreneurship.
  • Directors Gender: Female directors represent 26.28%, while male directors are at 69.11%, indicating a similar trend in corporate leadership.

Conclusion

Swansea’s economy is characterised by a strong mix of traditional and emerging sectors, with notable growth in the tech industry. While there is a healthy increase in employment and a vibrant SME sector, the gender disparity in entrepreneurship and corporate leadership is a point of concern. The absence of IPOs suggests potential areas for future economic development.

Company foundations and cessations over time

Active companies over time

The information is accurate as of 31 December 2022.
Data courtesy of Beauhurst.