Companies in London

United Kingdom|61.8% formed since 2020|Data updated 22 Aug 2026
1,032,530
Active

1,032,530 active companies are registered in London, making it one of the UK's largest business centres. Out of 1,160,969 companies ever registered here, 2,904 are no longer active — a 89% survival rate. The area has seen significant recent growth, with 61.8% of active businesses incorporated since 2020. Over half (68%) of active companies were formed since 2020, making this one of the UK's fastest-growing business locations. The most common industry sector is buying and selling of own real estate, with 54,323 companies. The area hosts 27,733 large enterprises, 19,871 small firms. London is home to 16,676 FCA-regulated firms and 11,011 registered charities. Companies here hold 47,696 government contracts worth £310.6B in total. The average company age is 7.1 years. The earliest company registration in London dates back to 1856.

Source: Companies House register via UVAGATRON, August 2026

1,032,530
Active Companies
1,160,969
Total Registered
1856
Oldest Company
61.8%
Growth (2020s)

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

Incorporation by Decade
28%
61%
Pre-1990: 24,094
1990s: 27,122
2000s: 80,708
2010s: 323,398
2020s: 705,647

Top Industries

Buying and selling of own real estate54,323→Other letting and operating of own or leased real estate53,308→Retail sale via mail order houses or via Internet48,095→Management consultancy activities other than financial management47,561→Other business support service activities n.e.c.40,597→Information technology consultancy activities30,656→Business and domestic software development29,201→Activities of other holding companies n.e.c.27,223→Other25,852→Other service activities n.e.c.25,834→

Data Signals

Governance
3,144,7987 src
Financial
1,887,33312 src
Compliance
663,53719 src
Risk
540,38712 src
quality
63,3916 src
Trade
62,6422 src
growth
51,2642 src
innovation
32,3082 src
ESG
23,9436 src
corporate_structure
11,3901 src
operational
2,0321 src
regulatory
2401 src

Top Companies in London

NACRO
Renting and operating of Housing Association real estateEst. 192565 signals
LEONARD CHESHIRE DISABILITY
Other human health activitiesEst. 1955194 signals
CANCER RESEARCH UK
Other human health activitiesEst. 2001124 signals
JOHN LEWIS PLC
Other retail sale in non-specialised storesEst. 1928123 signals
ST. JOHN AMBULANCE
Other human health activitiesEst. 199968 signals
ENGLISH NATIONAL OPERA
Performing artsEst. 194748 signals
DELOITTE LLP
Est. 20031,018 signals
SIEMENS MOBILITY LIMITED
Manufacture of other transport equipment n.e.c.Est. 1881127 signals
BAE SYSTEMS PLC
Manufacture of weapons and ammunitionEst. 1979116 signals
MARIE CURIE
Other information service activities n.e.c.Est. 1952112 signals

Business Landscape

The average active company in London is 7.1 years old. There are 16,676 <Link href="/glossary/fca-financial-conduct-authority">FCA-regulated firms</Link> in the area. 11,011 registered charities operate locally.

7.1 yrs
Avg company age
16,676
FCA regulated
11,011
Charities

Company Size Breakdown

Small: 19,871 (41%)Medium: 812 (2%)Large: 27,733 (57%)

Government Investment

Companies in London have been awarded 47,696 government contracts with a combined value of £310620.8M. See the Top Government Contractors report.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many companies are registered in London?

There are 1,032,530 active companies registered in London, out of 1,160,969 total. 2,904 (0%) are no longer active.

What are the main industries in London?

The top industries in London include Buying and selling of own real estate (54,323 companies), Other letting and operating of own or leased real estate (53,308 companies), Retail sale via mail order houses or via Internet (48,095 companies).

How fast is London growing as a business hub?

61.8% of currently active companies in London were incorporated since 2020, indicating strong recent growth.

What data signals are available for companies in London?

Our database contains 6,483,265 data signals across 12 categories for active companies in London. The largest category is Governance with 3,144,798 signals from 7 sources.

When was the first company registered in London?

The oldest company registration in London dates back to 1856, spanning over 170 years of business history.

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