Companies in Sunderland

United Kingdom|63% formed since 2020|13% inactive|Data updated 19 Oct 2026
6,210
Active

6,210 active companies are based in Sunderland according to Companies House records. Out of 8,034 companies ever registered here, 1,063 are no longer active — a 77% survival rate. The area has seen significant recent growth, with 63% of active businesses incorporated since 2020. Over half (82%) 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 334 companies. 96 medium and large companies operate here, indicating a significant commercial presence. Sunderland is home to 168 FCA-regulated firms and 86 registered charities. Companies here hold 248 government contracts worth £874.7M in total. The average company age is 6.9 years. The earliest company registration in Sunderland dates back to 1903.

Source: Companies House register via UVAGATRON, October 2026

6,210
Active Companies
8,034
Total Registered
1903
Oldest Company
63%
Growth (2020s)

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

Incorporation by Decade
26%
65%
Pre-1990: 133
1990s: 136
2000s: 485
2010s: 2,031
2020s: 5,108

Top Industries

Buying and selling of own real estate334→Other letting and operating of own or leased real estate328→Take-away food shops and mobile food stands216→Management consultancy activities other than financial management194→Retail sale via mail order houses or via Internet161→Hairdressing and other beauty treatment154→Other human health activities126→Other business support service activities n.e.c.125→Other service activities n.e.c.116→Licensed restaurants113→

Data Signals

Governance
25,8586 src
Financial
19,41410 src
Risk
3,26710 src
Compliance
2,57714 src
quality
7165 src
Trade
5532 src
innovation
2802 src
growth
2762 src
ESG
2595 src
corporate_structure
651 src
operational
611 src
regulatory
21 src

Top Companies in Sunderland

HAYS TRAVEL LIMITED
Travel agency activitiesEst. 198693 signals
MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS
Other human health activitiesEst. 198459 signals
THE CHILTERN RAILWAY COMPANY LIMITED
Passenger rail transport, interurbanEst. 1995107 signals
ARRIVA NORTH WEST LIMITED
Other urban, suburban or metropolitan passenger land transport (not underground, metro or similar)Est. 1953104 signals
AESC UK PLANT 1 LIMITED
Manufacture of batteries and accumulatorsEst. 201729 signals
NORTH EAST BUSINESS AND INNOVATION CENTRE LIMITED
Other business support service activities n.e.c.Est. 198923 signals
ARRIVA MERSEYSIDE LIMITED
Other urban, suburban or metropolitan passenger land transport (not underground, metro or similar)Est. 1986103 signals
TOGETHER FOR CHILDREN SUNDERLAND LIMITED
General public administration activitiesEst. 201684 signals
SUNDERLAND CARE AND SUPPORT LIMITED
Other social work activities without accommodation n.e.c.Est. 201382 signals
VELOCITY UK LIMITED
Manufacture of equipment for concrete crushing and screening and roadworksEst. 199744 signals

Business Landscape

The average active company in Sunderland is 6.9 years old. There are 168 <Link href="/glossary/fca-financial-conduct-authority">FCA-regulated firms</Link> in the area. 86 registered charities operate locally.

6.9 yrs
Avg company age
168
FCA regulated
86
Charities

Company Size Breakdown

Small: 52 (35%)Medium: 4 (3%)Large: 92 (62%)

Government Investment

Companies in Sunderland have been awarded 248 government contracts with a combined value of £874.7M. See the Top Government Contractors report.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many companies are registered in Sunderland?

There are 6,210 active companies registered in Sunderland, out of 8,034 total. 1,063 (13%) are no longer active.

What are the main industries in Sunderland?

The top industries in Sunderland include Buying and selling of own real estate (334 companies), Other letting and operating of own or leased real estate (328 companies), Take-away food shops and mobile food stands (216 companies).

How fast is Sunderland growing as a business hub?

63% of currently active companies in Sunderland were incorporated since 2020, indicating strong recent growth.

What data signals are available for companies in Sunderland?

Our database contains 53,328 data signals across 12 categories for active companies in Sunderland. The largest category is Governance with 25,858 signals from 6 sources.

When was the first company registered in Sunderland?

The oldest company registration in Sunderland dates back to 1903, spanning over 123 years of business history.

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