Overview
Uttlesford presents a dynamic economic landscape characterised by a diverse array of sectors. With a total of 39,995 employees, the region has seen significant growth in sectors like professional, scientific, technical activities, and construction. The presence of new companies and scaleups indicates a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem. However, the gender distribution among founders and directors suggests room for improvement in diversity.
Employment and Business Growth
- Total Employees: Uttlesford employs 39,995 individuals. A notable increase is observed with 125 companies reporting employee growth.
- Employee Growth: The employee growth percentage stands at 5.89%, reflecting a healthy job market.
- Scaleups: There are 49 scaleups, indicating a robust environment for business expansion.
- New Companies (2 years): 867 new companies were established in the last two years, signifying a vibrant startup scene.
Sector Dynamics
- Top Sectors: The leading sectors are professional, scientific, technical activities (17.76%), construction (12.84%), and administrative/support services (10.68%). These sectors are pivotal in driving the local economy.
- Sector Growth: Notably, sectors like research tools/reagents, pharmaceuticals, and CleanTech are emerging as significant growth areas.
Company Trends
- Total Companies: There are 8,518 companies in total, demonstrating a diverse business landscape.
- New Companies: 1,631 new companies have been registered recently, indicating sustained business interest in the region.
- SMEs: Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) number 6,752, forming the backbone of the local economy.
- Exporters: The region hosts 252 exporters, contributing to its economic diversity.
- Foreign Parent Companies: There are 136 companies with foreign parentage, suggesting international business interest.
Business Continuity
- Company Cessations: The cessation rate, with 674 companies closing, highlights challenges in sustaining business operations.
- Company Survival: With 93.34% of companies still operational, the survival rate is commendable.
Diversity in Leadership
- Founders’ Gender: Female founders constitute 9.52%, while male founders dominate at 89.52%. This indicates a significant gender gap in entrepreneurship.
- Directors’ Gender: Female directors represent 27.59%, compared to 68.54% male directors, suggesting a need for greater gender balance in leadership.
- Age Distribution of Directors: Directors are spread across age groups, with the highest concentration (29.57%) in the 50-60 age bracket.
Innovation and Development
- Patent Owners: The presence of 4 patent owners indicates some degree of innovation within the region.
- Grant Recipients: With 14 grant recipients, there’s evidence of ongoing research and development activities.
Conclusion
Uttlesford’s economic profile is marked by a thriving mix of sectors, substantial business growth, and a promising startup environment. Challenges lie in enhancing business sustainability and improving diversity in leadership. The regional economy is bolstered by a significant number of SMEs and a healthy rate of new company formations, indicating a robust and evolving economic landscape.