Companies in Ashford

United Kingdom|51.7% formed since 2020|10% inactive|Data updated 19 Oct 2026
11,506
Active

11,506 active companies are based in Ashford according to Companies House records. Out of 13,741 companies ever registered here, 1,341 are no longer active — a 84% survival rate. The area has seen significant recent growth, with 51.7% of active businesses incorporated since 2020. Over half (63%) of active companies were formed since 2020, making this one of the UK's fastest-growing business locations. The most common industry sector is other letting and operating of own or leased real estate, with 558 companies. The area hosts 101 large enterprises, 95 small firms. Ashford is home to 220 FCA-regulated firms and 95 registered charities. Companies here hold 232 government contracts worth £654.4M in total. The average company age is 9.0 years. The earliest company registration in Ashford dates back to 1862.

Source: Companies House register via UVAGATRON, October 2026

11,506
Active Companies
13,741
Total Registered
1862
Oldest Company
51.7%
Growth (2020s)

Ashford is a growth hotspot — over half of its active companies were formed since 2020.

Incorporation by Decade
10%
32%
53%
Pre-1990: 291
1990s: 381
2000s: 1,351
2010s: 4,362
2020s: 7,196

Data Signals

Governance
48,2025 src
Financial
40,30211 src
Risk
6,34710 src
Compliance
4,71216 src
Trade
1,5792 src
quality
8575 src
growth
2972 src
operational
1981 src
ESG
1896 src
innovation
1322 src
corporate_structure
271 src
regulatory
11 src

Business Landscape

The average active company in Ashford is 9 years old. There are 220 <Link href="/glossary/fca-financial-conduct-authority">FCA-regulated firms</Link> in the area. 95 registered charities operate locally.

9 yrs
Avg company age
220
FCA regulated
95
Charities

Company Size Breakdown

Small: 95 (48%)Medium: 4 (2%)Large: 101 (51%)

Government Investment

Companies in Ashford have been awarded 232 government contracts with a combined value of £654.4M. See the Top Government Contractors report.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many companies are registered in Ashford?

There are 11,506 active companies registered in Ashford, out of 13,741 total. 1,341 (10%) are no longer active.

What are the main industries in Ashford?

The top industries in Ashford include Other letting and operating of own or leased real estate (558 companies), Buying and selling of own real estate (520 companies), Management consultancy activities other than financial management (458 companies).

How fast is Ashford growing as a business hub?

51.7% of currently active companies in Ashford were incorporated since 2020, indicating strong recent growth.

What data signals are available for companies in Ashford?

Our database contains 102,843 data signals across 12 categories for active companies in Ashford. The largest category is Governance with 48,202 signals from 5 sources.

When was the first company registered in Ashford?

The oldest company registration in Ashford dates back to 1862, spanning over 164 years of business history.

Data is updated daily from official UK government sources including Companies House. Information is provided for reference only.