12,315 active companies are based in Exeter according to Companies House records. Out of 14,642 companies ever registered here, 1,269 are no longer active — a 84% survival rate. Business formation remains steady, with 49.6% of current companies established since 2020. Over half (58%) 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 1,112 companies. The area hosts 132 large enterprises, 181 small firms. Exeter is home to 266 FCA-regulated firms and 160 registered charities. Companies here hold 492 government contracts worth £893.6M in total. The average company age is 9.8 years. The earliest company registration in Exeter dates back to 1887.
Source: Companies House register via UVAGATRON, October 2026
A diverse local economy with no single sector accounting for more than 15% of businesses.
The average active company in Exeter is 9.8 years old. There are 266 <Link href="/glossary/fca-financial-conduct-authority">FCA-regulated firms</Link> in the area. 160 registered charities operate locally.
Companies in Exeter have been awarded 492 government contracts with a combined value of £893.6M. See the Top Government Contractors report.
There are 12,315 active companies registered in Exeter, out of 14,642 total. 1,269 (9%) are no longer active.
The top industries in Exeter include Other letting and operating of own or leased real estate (1,112 companies), Activities of other holding companies n.e.c. (463 companies), Residents property management (428 companies).
49.6% of currently active companies in Exeter were incorporated since 2020, indicating strong recent growth.
Our database contains 117,864 data signals across 12 categories for active companies in Exeter. The largest category is Governance with 51,920 signals from 6 sources.
The oldest company registration in Exeter dates back to 1887, spanning over 139 years of business history.