9,040 active companies are based in Portsmouth according to Companies House records. Out of 10,359 companies ever registered here, 19 are no longer active — a 87% survival rate. The area has seen significant recent growth, with 53% of active businesses incorporated since 2020. Over half (59%) 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 606 companies. 78 medium and large companies operate here, indicating a significant commercial presence. Portsmouth is home to 172 FCA-regulated firms and 104 registered charities. Companies here hold 362 government contracts worth £230.5M in total. The average company age is 8.4 years. The earliest company registration in Portsmouth dates back to 1891.
Source: Companies House register via UVAGATRON, August 2026
Portsmouth is a growth hotspot — over half of its active companies were formed since 2020.
The average active company in Portsmouth is 8.4 years old. There are 172 <Link href="/glossary/fca-financial-conduct-authority">FCA-regulated firms</Link> in the area. 104 registered charities operate locally.
Companies in Portsmouth have been awarded 362 government contracts with a combined value of £230.5M. See the Top Government Contractors report.
There are 9,040 active companies registered in Portsmouth, out of 10,359 total. 19 (0%) are no longer active.
The top industries in Portsmouth include Other letting and operating of own or leased real estate (606 companies), Buying and selling of own real estate (342 companies), Other business support service activities n.e.c. (307 companies).
53% of currently active companies in Portsmouth were incorporated since 2020, indicating strong recent growth.
Our database contains 61,110 data signals across 12 categories for active companies in Portsmouth. The largest category is Governance with 28,968 signals from 6 sources.
The oldest company registration in Portsmouth dates back to 1891, spanning over 135 years of business history.