Companies in Peterborough

United Kingdom|59.2% formed since 2020|Data updated 17 Apr 2026
18,057
Active

18,057 active companies are based in Peterborough according to Companies House records. Out of 20,604 companies ever registered here, 38 are no longer active — a 88% survival rate. The area has seen significant recent growth, with 59.2% of active businesses incorporated since 2020. Over half (66%) 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 937 companies. The area hosts 163 large enterprises, 141 small firms. Peterborough is home to 409 FCA-regulated firms and 169 registered charities. Companies here hold 390 government contracts worth £4.9B in total. The average company age is 7.3 years. The earliest company registration in Peterborough dates back to 1883.

Source: Companies House register via UVAGATRON, April 2026

18,057
Active Companies
20,604
Total Registered
1883
Oldest Company
59.2%
Growth (2020s)

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

Incorporation by Decade
31%
57%
Pre-1990: 398
1990s: 398
2000s: 1,616
2010s: 6,363
2020s: 11,829

Top Industries

Other letting and operating of own or leased real estate937→Buying and selling of own real estate901→Freight transport by road889→Retail sale via mail order houses or via Internet578→Management consultancy activities other than financial management563→Other business support service activities n.e.c.506→Residents property management423→Activities of other holding companies n.e.c.421→Development of building projects394→Sale of used cars and light motor vehicles372→

Data Signals

Governance
54,9906 src
Financial
33,90411 src
Compliance
10,82816 src
Risk
7,39711 src
Trade
1,4632 src
quality
1,0875 src
growth
4202 src
ESG
2976 src
operational
2091 src
innovation
1112 src
corporate_structure
341 src
regulatory
121 src

Top Companies in Peterborough

ROYAL MENCAP SOCIETY
Residential care activities for learning difficulties, mental health and substance abuseEst. 1955222 signals
LAWRENCE DAVID LIMITED
Manufacture of trailers and semi-trailersEst. 197336 signals
ROAD HAULAGE ASSOCIATION LIMITED
Activities of professional membership organizationsEst. 194427 signals
THE ROYAL NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR DEAF PEOPLE
Other professional, scientific and technical activities n.e.c.Est. 194833 signals
CUMMINS GENERATOR TECHNOLOGIES LIMITED
Manufacture of electric motors, generators and transformersEst. 194792 signals
UNITED LEARNING TRUST
Pre-primary educationEst. 200284 signals
YOURS CLOTHING LIMITED
Retail sale of clothing in specialised storesEst. 199467 signals
KIDNEY RESEARCH UK
Other human health activitiesEst. 196733 signals
JOHN BRADSHAW LIMITED
Manufacture of motor vehiclesEst. 197622 signals
THOMAS DEACON EDUCATION TRUST
Pre-primary educationEst. 200495 signals

Business Landscape

The average active company in Peterborough is 7.3 years old. There are 409 <Link href="/glossary/fca-financial-conduct-authority">FCA-regulated firms</Link> in the area. 169 registered charities operate locally.

7.3 yrs
Avg company age
409
FCA regulated
169
Charities

Company Size Breakdown

Small: 141 (44%)Medium: 19 (6%)Large: 163 (50%)

Government Investment

Companies in Peterborough have been awarded 390 government contracts with a combined value of £4910.3M. See the Top Government Contractors report.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many companies are registered in Peterborough?

There are 18,057 active companies registered in Peterborough, out of 20,604 total. 38 (0%) are no longer active.

What are the main industries in Peterborough?

The top industries in Peterborough include Other letting and operating of own or leased real estate (937 companies), Buying and selling of own real estate (901 companies), Freight transport by road (889 companies).

How fast is Peterborough growing as a business hub?

59.2% of currently active companies in Peterborough were incorporated since 2020, indicating strong recent growth.

What data signals are available for companies in Peterborough?

Our database contains 110,752 data signals across 12 categories for active companies in Peterborough. The largest category is Governance with 54,990 signals from 6 sources.

When was the first company registered in Peterborough?

The oldest company registration in Peterborough dates back to 1883, spanning over 143 years of business history.

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