Companies in Leeds

United Kingdom|55.4% formed since 2020|Data updated 22 Aug 2026
49,027
Active

49,027 active companies are currently registered in Leeds, a major UK business hub. Out of 57,146 companies ever registered here, 236 are no longer active — a 86% survival rate. The area has seen significant recent growth, with 55.4% of active businesses incorporated since 2020. Over half (61%) 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 2,907 companies. The area hosts 888 large enterprises, 746 small firms. Leeds is home to 1,069 FCA-regulated firms and 503 registered charities. Companies here hold 3,649 government contracts worth £11.3B in total. The average company age is 8.2 years. The earliest company registration in Leeds dates back to 1873.

Source: Companies House register via UVAGATRON, August 2026

49,027
Active Companies
57,146
Total Registered
1873
Oldest Company
55.4%
Growth (2020s)

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

Incorporation by Decade
9%
32%
53%
Pre-1990: 1,751
1990s: 1,522
2000s: 5,385
2010s: 18,438
2020s: 30,050

Top Industries

Other letting and operating of own or leased real estate2,907→Buying and selling of own real estate2,792→Management consultancy activities other than financial management1,906→Other business support service activities n.e.c.1,603→Activities of other holding companies n.e.c.1,371→Information technology consultancy activities1,363→Retail sale via mail order houses or via Internet1,112→Other human health activities1,028→Development of building projects1,014→Take-away food shops and mobile food stands893→

Data Signals

Governance
149,4536 src
Financial
99,40012 src
Compliance
32,63319 src
Risk
23,34510 src
quality
4,3896 src
growth
4,2082 src
Trade
3,5362 src
ESG
1,4706 src
innovation
9582 src
operational
4901 src
corporate_structure
2511 src
regulatory
211 src

Top Companies in Leeds

LEEDS TRINITY UNIVERSITY
First-degree level higher educationEst. 200763 signals
DONCASTERS LIMITED
Manufacture of other fabricated metal products n.e.c.Est. 193656 signals
NG BAILEY LIMITED
Electrical installationEst. 1938107 signals
ST ANNE'S COMMUNITY SERVICES
Renting and operating of Housing Association real estateEst. 1972118 signals
WALKER MORRIS LLP
Est. 200857 signals
LEEDS UNIVERSITY UNION
Activities of other membership organizations n.e.c.Est. 201033 signals
ST. GEMMA'S HOSPICE
Hospital activitiesEst. 199233 signals
BRENNTAG UK LIMITED
Manufacture of other organic basic chemicalsEst. 2004114 signals
POLYPIPE LIMITED
Manufacture of plastics in primary formsEst. 1973101 signals
LANES GROUP LIMITED
SewerageEst. 199962 signals

Business Landscape

The average active company in Leeds is 8.2 years old. There are 1,069 <Link href="/glossary/fca-financial-conduct-authority">FCA-regulated firms</Link> in the area. 503 registered charities operate locally.

8.2 yrs
Avg company age
1,069
FCA regulated
503
Charities

Company Size Breakdown

Small: 746 (44%)Medium: 59 (3%)Large: 888 (52%)

Government Investment

Companies in Leeds have been awarded 3,649 government contracts with a combined value of £11335.9M. See the Top Government Contractors report.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many companies are registered in Leeds?

There are 49,027 active companies registered in Leeds, out of 57,146 total. 236 (0%) 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 (2,907 companies), Buying and selling of own real estate (2,792 companies), Management consultancy activities other than financial management (1,906 companies).

How fast is Leeds growing as a business hub?

55.4% 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 320,154 data signals across 12 categories for active companies in Leeds. The largest category is Governance with 149,453 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.