Companies in Cheltenham

United Kingdom|45.9% formed since 2020|Data updated 17 Apr 2026
13,701
Active

13,701 active companies are based in Cheltenham according to Companies House records. Out of 15,188 companies ever registered here, 60 are no longer active — a 90% survival rate. Business formation remains steady, with 45.9% of current companies established since 2020. A wave of registrations in the 2010s accounts for 38% of active companies, pointing to a decade of strong entrepreneurial activity. The most common industry sector is other letting and operating of own or leased real estate, with 745 companies. The area hosts 168 large enterprises, 275 small firms. Cheltenham is home to 342 FCA-regulated firms and 138 registered charities. Companies here hold 420 government contracts worth £1.6B in total. The average company age is 10.2 years. The earliest company registration in Cheltenham dates back to 1886.

Source: Companies House register via UVAGATRON, April 2026

13,701
Active Companies
15,188
Total Registered
1886
Oldest Company
45.9%
Growth (2020s)

A diverse local economy with no single sector accounting for more than 15% of businesses.

Incorporation by Decade
13%
34%
45%
Pre-1990: 598
1990s: 674
2000s: 1,923
2010s: 5,196
2020s: 6,797

Top Industries

Other letting and operating of own or leased real estate745→Management consultancy activities other than financial management741→Residents property management620→Buying and selling of own real estate516→Other business support service activities n.e.c.446→Activities of other holding companies n.e.c.424→Information technology consultancy activities394→Development of building projects334→Dormant Company285→Business and domestic software development236→

Data Signals

Governance
42,8976 src
Financial
28,72611 src
Compliance
9,69815 src
Risk
7,03710 src
Trade
1,2242 src
quality
8386 src
growth
4462 src
ESG
3116 src
operational
1261 src
innovation
1062 src
corporate_structure
161 src
regulatory
41 src

Top Companies in Cheltenham

UNIVERSITY OF GLOUCESTERSHIRE
First-degree level higher educationEst. 2006120 signals
SPIRAX-SARCO LIMITED
Manufacture of machinery for food, beverage and tobacco processingEst. 1952105 signals
GE AVIATION SYSTEMS LIMITED
Manufacture of electronic componentsEst. 196397 signals
COBALT HEALTH
Specialists medical practice activitiesEst. 200234 signals
KOHLER MIRA LIMITED
Manufacture of taps and valvesEst. 193096 signals
BAYLIS (GLOUCESTER) LIMITED
Sale of new cars and light motor vehiclesEst. 199393 signals
LILIAN FAITHFULL CARE
Residential nursing care facilitiesEst. 200734 signals
COMMERCIAL LIMITED
Other business support service activities n.e.c.Est. 199132 signals
ASPIRE FOUNDATION
Pre-primary educationEst. 201324 signals
PORTMAN HEALTHCARE LIMITED
Other human health activitiesEst. 2008134 signals

Business Landscape

The average active company in Cheltenham is 10.2 years old. There are 342 <Link href="/glossary/fca-financial-conduct-authority">FCA-regulated firms</Link> in the area. 138 registered charities operate locally.

10.2 yrs
Avg company age
342
FCA regulated
138
Charities

Company Size Breakdown

Small: 275 (60%)Medium: 13 (3%)Large: 168 (37%)

Government Investment

Companies in Cheltenham have been awarded 420 government contracts with a combined value of £1598.5M. See the Top Government Contractors report.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many companies are registered in Cheltenham?

There are 13,701 active companies registered in Cheltenham, out of 15,188 total. 60 (0%) are no longer active.

What are the main industries in Cheltenham?

The top industries in Cheltenham include Other letting and operating of own or leased real estate (745 companies), Management consultancy activities other than financial management (741 companies), Residents property management (620 companies).

How fast is Cheltenham growing as a business hub?

45.9% of currently active companies in Cheltenham were incorporated since 2020, indicating strong recent growth.

What data signals are available for companies in Cheltenham?

Our database contains 91,429 data signals across 12 categories for active companies in Cheltenham. The largest category is Governance with 42,897 signals from 6 sources.

When was the first company registered in Cheltenham?

The oldest company registration in Cheltenham dates back to 1886, spanning over 140 years of business history.

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