Companies in Leeds

United Kingdom|56% formed since 2020|11% inactive|Data updated 19 Oct 2026
47,811
Active

47,811 active companies are currently registered in Leeds, a major UK business hub. Out of 61,053 companies ever registered here, 6,921 are no longer active — a 78% survival rate. The area has seen significant recent growth, with 56% of active businesses incorporated since 2020. Over half (70%) 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 2,974 companies. The area hosts 887 large enterprises, 726 small firms. Leeds is home to 1,076 FCA-regulated firms and 495 registered charities. Companies here hold 3,745 government contracts worth £12.4B in total. The average company age is 8.4 years. The earliest company registration in Leeds dates back to 1873.

Source: Companies House register via UVAGATRON, October 2026

47,811
Active Companies
61,053
Total Registered
1873
Oldest Company
56%
Growth (2020s)

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

Incorporation by Decade
9%
30%
56%
Pre-1990: 1,763
1990s: 1,542
2000s: 5,323
2010s: 18,091
2020s: 33,521

Top Industries

Other letting and operating of own or leased real estate2,974→Buying and selling of own real estate2,865→Management consultancy activities other than financial management1,799→Activities of other holding companies n.e.c.1,463→Other business support service activities n.e.c.1,310→Information technology consultancy activities1,289→Retail sale via mail order houses or via Internet1,151→Development of building projects1,022→Other human health activities961→Residents property management847→

Data Signals

Governance
200,0116 src
Financial
157,51912 src
Risk
31,60811 src
Compliance
20,25719 src
Trade
5,9172 src
quality
4,4656 src
growth
4,4062 src
ESG
1,5106 src
innovation
1,2472 src
operational
4951 src
corporate_structure
2741 src
regulatory
211 src

Top Companies in Leeds

LEEDS TRINITY UNIVERSITY
First-degree level higher educationEst. 200782 signals
DONCASTERS LIMITED
Manufacture of other fabricated metal products n.e.c.Est. 1936101 signals
LANES GROUP LIMITED
SewerageEst. 199973 signals
YORKSHIRE WATER SERVICES LIMITED
Water collection, treatment and supplyEst. 1989176 signals
ST ANNE'S COMMUNITY SERVICES
Renting and operating of Housing Association real estateEst. 1972163 signals
BRENNTAG UK LIMITED
Manufacture of other organic basic chemicalsEst. 2004129 signals
PURE GYM LIMITED
Fitness facilitiesEst. 200885 signals
WALKER MORRIS LLP
Est. 200868 signals
POLYPIPE LIMITED
Manufacture of plastics in primary formsEst. 1973109 signals
EVRI LIMITED
Freight transport by roadEst. 1999105 signals

Business Landscape

The average active company in Leeds is 8.4 years old. There are 1,076 <Link href="/glossary/fca-financial-conduct-authority">FCA-regulated firms</Link> in the area. 495 registered charities operate locally.

8.4 yrs
Avg company age
1,076
FCA regulated
495
Charities

Company Size Breakdown

Small: 726 (43%)Medium: 69 (4%)Large: 887 (53%)

Government Investment

Companies in Leeds have been awarded 3,745 government contracts with a combined value of £12359.2M. See the Top Government Contractors report.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many companies are registered in Leeds?

There are 47,811 active companies registered in Leeds, out of 61,053 total. 6,921 (11%) are no longer active.

What are the main industries in Leeds?

The top industries in Leeds include Other letting and operating of own or leased real estate (2,974 companies), Buying and selling of own real estate (2,865 companies), Management consultancy activities other than financial management (1,799 companies).

How fast is Leeds growing as a business hub?

56% of currently active companies in Leeds were incorporated since 2020, indicating strong recent growth.

What data signals are available for companies in Leeds?

Our database contains 427,730 data signals across 12 categories for active companies in Leeds. The largest category is Governance with 200,011 signals from 6 sources.

When was the first company registered in Leeds?

The oldest company registration in Leeds dates back to 1873, spanning over 153 years of business history.

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