Companies in Cardiff

United Kingdom|57.7% formed since 2020|40% inactive|Data updated 19 Oct 2026
27,021
Active

27,021 active companies are currently registered in Cardiff, a major UK business hub. Out of 89,181 companies ever registered here, 36,094 are no longer active — a 30% survival rate. The area has seen significant recent growth, with 57.7% of active businesses incorporated since 2020. Over half (221%) 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 1,593 companies. The area hosts 310 large enterprises, 281 small firms. Cardiff is home to 561 FCA-regulated firms and 299 registered charities. Companies here hold 496 government contracts worth £445.1M in total. The average company age is 7.9 years. The earliest company registration in Cardiff dates back to 1881.

Source: Companies House register via UVAGATRON, October 2026

27,021
Active Companies
89,181
Total Registered
1881
Oldest Company
57.7%
Growth (2020s)

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

Incorporation by Decade
26%
68%
Pre-1990: 1,011
1990s: 896
2000s: 3,516
2010s: 23,235
2020s: 59,849

Top Industries

Other letting and operating of own or leased real estate1,593→Buying and selling of own real estate1,431→Retail sale via mail order houses or via Internet1,109→Management consultancy activities other than financial management926→Other business support service activities n.e.c.693→Residents property management668→Activities of other holding companies n.e.c.663→Other597→Business and domestic software development542→Information technology consultancy activities522→

Data Signals

Governance
111,3276 src
Financial
84,09911 src
Risk
20,38811 src
Compliance
10,64319 src
quality
2,4785 src
Trade
2,3392 src
innovation
8952 src
ESG
8106 src
growth
6312 src
operational
1911 src
corporate_structure
611 src
regulatory
121 src

Top Companies in Cardiff

VICTIM SUPPORT
Other social work activities without accommodation n.e.c.Est. 1987403 signals
DWR CYMRU CYFYNGEDIG
Water collection, treatment and supplyEst. 1989104 signals
TENOVUS CANCER CARE
Other human health activitiesEst. 196833 signals
SHAW HEALTHCARE (GROUP) LIMITED
Residential nursing care facilitiesEst. 2005133 signals
ORANGEBOX LIMITED
Manufacture of office and shop furnitureEst. 1997101 signals
WALES MILLENNIUM CENTRE
Operation of arts facilitiesEst. 199691 signals
CATSCI LTD
Other research and experimental development on natural sciences and engineeringEst. 201043 signals
PROSEAL UK LIMITED
Manufacture of other special-purpose machinery n.e.c.Est. 199861 signals
INNOVATE TRUST LTD
Other residential care activities n.e.c.Est. 199035 signals
KALEIDOSCOPE PROJECT
Other social work activities without accommodation n.e.c.Est. 200533 signals

Business Landscape

The average active company in Cardiff is 7.9 years old. There are 561 <Link href="/glossary/fca-financial-conduct-authority">FCA-regulated firms</Link> in the area. 299 registered charities operate locally.

7.9 yrs
Avg company age
561
FCA regulated
299
Charities

Company Size Breakdown

Small: 281 (45%)Medium: 27 (4%)Large: 310 (50%)

Government Investment

Companies in Cardiff have been awarded 496 government contracts with a combined value of £445.1M. See the Top Government Contractors report.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many companies are registered in Cardiff?

There are 27,021 active companies registered in Cardiff, out of 89,181 total. 36,094 (40%) are no longer active.

What are the main industries in Cardiff?

The top industries in Cardiff include Other letting and operating of own or leased real estate (1,593 companies), Buying and selling of own real estate (1,431 companies), Retail sale via mail order houses or via Internet (1,109 companies).

How fast is Cardiff growing as a business hub?

57.7% of currently active companies in Cardiff were incorporated since 2020, indicating strong recent growth.

What data signals are available for companies in Cardiff?

Our database contains 233,874 data signals across 12 categories for active companies in Cardiff. The largest category is Governance with 111,327 signals from 6 sources.

When was the first company registered in Cardiff?

The oldest company registration in Cardiff dates back to 1881, spanning over 145 years of business history.

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