Overview
Telford and Wrekin, a dynamic area with a diverse economic landscape, is characterised by significant activities in wholesale, retail trade, professional services, and construction. The council has seen positive movements in employment and business growth, with notable trends in gender representation among founders and directors, and a wide array of sector dynamics.
Employment and Business Growth
- Total Employees: 74,301. The employment scene in Telford and Wrekin is robust, showing an increase in the number of employees. With an employee growth rate of approximately 9.99%, the region demonstrates a healthy and expanding job market.
- Total Employees Raisers: 11 sectors have shown an increase in employment, indicating a broad-based economic expansion.
- Employment Growth Sectors: The top sectors contributing to this growth are technology/IP-based businesses, manufacturing, engineering, agriculture, and consumer electronics hardware.
Sector Dynamics
- Top Sectors by Company Number: The dominant sectors include wholesale/retail trade (1,236 companies), professional services (1,134 companies), and construction (954 companies). These sectors are vital to the region’s economic fabric, providing a diverse range of employment opportunities.
- Sectors with Most Growth: Sectors with notable company increases are other technology/IP-based businesses and other manufacturing/engineering. This reflects a trend towards technology adoption and innovation in traditional industries.
Business Continuity
- Company Cessations: There are 10,094 companies that ceased operations, which could indicate market adjustments or transitions within the economy.
- Company Deaths: 908 companies have ceased operating, underscoring the dynamic and challenging nature of the business environment.
Innovation and Growth
- Number of IPOs: 0, suggesting limited activity in the public markets.
- Scaleups: 64 companies are identified as scaleups, indicating significant growth potential in the region.
- New Companies (Last 2 Years): 2,443, showcasing a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) Dynamics
- Number of SMEs: 6,498, forming the backbone of the local economy.
- Number of Exporters: 337, highlighting the global outreach of the region’s businesses.
- Number of Companies with Foreign Parent: 297, illustrating foreign investment and international business relationships.
Gender Representation in Leadership
- Founders by Gender: 13.11% female founders and 86.89% male founders.
- Directors by Gender: 26.38% female directors and 70.23% male directors, with an additional 3.39% unspecified.
Intellectual Property and Innovation
- Number of Patent Owners: 531, indicating a strong focus on innovation and intellectual property.
- Number of Grantees: 8, reflecting the region’s commitment to research and development.
Conclusion
Telford and Wrekin exhibit a thriving economic environment with diverse sectoral growth, a healthy rate of new company formation, and a strong SME presence. The region is marked by significant gender disparity in leadership roles. The high number of company cessations and deaths could signal either market saturation or the natural cycle of business turnover. Overall, the council’s economic and business activities present a landscape of opportunity, innovation, and growth.