Companies in Southampton

United Kingdom|52.6% formed since 2020|11% inactive|Data updated 19 Oct 2026
22,454
Active

22,454 active companies are currently registered in Southampton, a major UK business hub. Out of 28,657 companies ever registered here, 3,222 are no longer active — a 78% survival rate. The area has seen significant recent growth, with 52.6% of active businesses incorporated since 2020. Over half (67%) 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 1,142 companies. The area hosts 192 large enterprises, 204 small firms. Southampton is home to 485 FCA-regulated firms and 226 registered charities. Companies here hold 950 government contracts worth £3.2B in total. The average company age is 9.1 years. The earliest company registration in Southampton dates back to 1871.

Source: Companies House register via UVAGATRON, October 2026

22,454
Active Companies
28,657
Total Registered
1871
Oldest Company
52.6%
Growth (2020s)

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

Incorporation by Decade
10%
31%
53%
Pre-1990: 801
1990s: 926
2000s: 2,802
2010s: 8,853
2020s: 14,934

Top Industries

Other letting and operating of own or leased real estate1,142→Buying and selling of own real estate893→Residents property management809→Management consultancy activities other than financial management764→Other business support service activities n.e.c.596→Retail sale via mail order houses or via Internet549→Freight transport by road513→Activities of other holding companies n.e.c.484→Other service activities n.e.c.459→Development of building projects456→

Data Signals

Governance
94,2506 src
Financial
76,45811 src
Risk
12,25710 src
Compliance
9,34118 src
Trade
2,9852 src
quality
1,8386 src
innovation
1,2392 src
growth
1,0662 src
ESG
4566 src
operational
2641 src
corporate_structure
401 src
regulatory
31 src

Top Companies in Southampton

NATIONAL OCEANOGRAPHY CENTRE
Other research and experimental development on natural sciences and engineeringEst. 2018406 signals
CARNIVAL UK LTD.
Sea and coastal freight water transportEst. 2000115 signals
ORDNANCE SURVEY LIMITED
Other professional, scientific and technical activities n.e.c.Est. 2014218 signals
SOLENT MIND
Other human health activitiesEst. 200038 signals
DENTAID LIMITED
Manufacture of medical and dental instruments and suppliesEst. 199833 signals
TRUMPF LASER UK LIMITED
Manufacture of optical precision instrumentsEst. 1996119 signals
CLARKE WILLMOTT LLP
Est. 2009106 signals
THE SOCIETY OF ST JAMES
Residential care activities for learning difficulties, mental health and substance abuseEst. 199547 signals
ELLIOTT BROTHERS LIMITED
Agents involved in the sale of timber and building materialsEst. 199036 signals
GARMIN (EUROPE) LIMITED
Wholesale of electronic and telecommunications equipment and partsEst. 1992101 signals

Business Landscape

The average active company in Southampton is 9.1 years old. There are 485 <Link href="/glossary/fca-financial-conduct-authority">FCA-regulated firms</Link> in the area. 226 registered charities operate locally.

9.1 yrs
Avg company age
485
FCA regulated
226
Charities

Company Size Breakdown

Small: 204 (48%)Medium: 27 (6%)Large: 192 (45%)

Government Investment

Companies in Southampton have been awarded 950 government contracts with a combined value of £3188.6M. See the Top Government Contractors report.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many companies are registered in Southampton?

There are 22,454 active companies registered in Southampton, out of 28,657 total. 3,222 (11%) are no longer active.

What are the main industries in Southampton?

The top industries in Southampton include Other letting and operating of own or leased real estate (1,142 companies), Buying and selling of own real estate (893 companies), Residents property management (809 companies).

How fast is Southampton growing as a business hub?

52.6% of currently active companies in Southampton were incorporated since 2020, indicating strong recent growth.

What data signals are available for companies in Southampton?

Our database contains 200,197 data signals across 12 categories for active companies in Southampton. The largest category is Governance with 94,250 signals from 6 sources.

When was the first company registered in Southampton?

The oldest company registration in Southampton dates back to 1871, spanning over 155 years of business history.

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