Ashford, Kent

2014 Annual Business Confidence Report

Headlines

  • 2014 was a record year for company registrations in Ashford when compared to any year in history.
  • The second half of 2014 saw a new record in company registrations in Ashford when compared to any previous second half year.
  • Q4 2014 saw a new record in company registrations in Ashford when compared to any previous Q4.
  • December 2014 saw a new record in company registrations in Ashford when compared to any previous December.
  • October 2014 saw a new record in company registrations in Ashford when compared to any previous October.
  • October 2014 saw a new record in company closures in Ashford when compared to any previous October.

Contents

  1. New Company Registrations
  2. Closed Companies (dissolved)
  3. Net Company Growth
  4. UK Company Share
  5. Director Age
  6. Director Gender
  7. Naming Trends
  8. SIC Data
  9. Recent Companies

New Company Registrations

  1. Annual Data (2014)

    2014 was a record year for company registrations in Ashford when compared to any year in history.

    A total of 886 companies were formed in Ashford in 2014. This total is 9.0% higher than in 2013 and compares equally to the UK figure of a 10.0% growth compared to 529,363 the previous year.

    YearAshfordUK
    2014886582,051
    2013813529,363
    2012745491,893
    2011710452,870
    2010665400,358
    Record Year2014 (886)2014 (582,051)
    New Companies by Year
  2. Half Year Data (Jul-Dec 2014)

    The second half of 2014 saw a new record in company registrations in Ashford when compared to any previous second half year.

    In the second half of 2014 a total of 422 companies were formed in Ashford. This figure is 3.2% higher than last year, which compares badly to the UK wide figure of 8.2%.

    The highest total for a second half year in Ashford occurred in 2014 when a total of 422 were formed.

    Half Year (Jul-Dec)AshfordUK
    2014422281,320
    2013409259,931
    % change3.2%8.2%
    Record Year2014 (422)2014 (281,320)
    New Companies by Half Year
  3. Quarterly Data (Q4 Oct-Dec 2014)

    Q4 2014 saw a new record in company registrations in Ashford when compared to any previous Q4.

    A total of 203 companies were registered in Ashford during the fourth quarter of 2014 (Oct 2014 - Dec 2014).

    This figure is an increase of 9.1% versus the same period last year (Q4 2013). This figure compares equally to the UK as a whole, which saw an increase of 8.4% against the same period last year.

    fourth quarter (Oct 2014 - Dec 2014)AshfordUK
    2014203137,906
    2013186127,247
    % change9.1%8.4%
    Record Year 2014 (203) 2014 (137,906)
    New Companies by Quarter
  4. Monthly Data (Oct, Nov & Dec 2014)

    December 2014 saw a new record in company registrations in Ashford when compared to any previous December.

    October 2014 saw a new record in company registrations in Ashford when compared to any previous October.

    New Companies by Month
    OctoberNovemberDecember
    New companies in 2014866354
    New companies in 2013825450
    % change4.9%16.7%8.0%
    Record Year2014 (86)2007 (70)2014 (54)

Closed Companies (dissolved)

  1. Annual Data (2014)

    A total of 623 companies were dissolved in Ashford in 2014. This total is 8.2% higher than in 2013 and compares unfavourably to the UK figure of 10.8% growth compared to the previous year.

    YearAshfordUK
    2014623367,937
    2013576332,213
    2012524293,729
    2011626314,524
    2010623342,233
    Record Year2009 (772)2009 (533,789)
    Dissolved Companies by Year
  2. Half Year Data (Jul-Dec 2014)

    In the second half of 2014 a total of 329 companies were dissolved in Ashford. This figure is 15.8% higher than last year, which compares badly to the UK wide change of 7.7%.

    The highest total for a second half year in Ashford occurred in 2009 when a total of 336 were closed.

    Half Year (Jul-Dec)AshfordUK
    2014329190,730
    2013284177,021
    % change15.8%7.7%
    Record Year2009 (336)2009 (244,544)
    Dissolved Companies by Half Year
  3. Quarterly Data (Q4 Oct-Dec 2014)

    A total of 146 companies were dissolved in Ashford during the fourth quarter of 2014 (Oct 2014 - Dec 2014).

    This figure is a decrease of 1.4% versus the same period last year (Q4 2013). This figure compares poorly to the UK as a whole, which saw a decrease of 2.0% against the same period last year.

    fourth quarter (Oct 2014 - Dec 2014)AshfordUK
    201414689,060
    201314890,851
    % change-1.4%-2.0%
    Record Year 2011 (229) 2013 (90,851)
    Dissolved Companies by Quarter
  4. Monthly Data (Oct, Nov & Dec 2014)

    October 2014 saw a new record in company closures in Ashford when compared to any previous October.

    Dissolved Companies by Month
    OctoberNovemberDecember
    Closed companies in 2014494156
    Closed companies in 2013484753
    % change2.1%-12.8%6%
    Record Year2014 (49)2011 (127)2009 (62)

Net Company Growth

  1. Annual Data (2014)

    A total of 263 companies were added to the company register for Ashford in 2014. This number represents growth of 29.7% in the total number of active companies, which compares unfavourably to the UK figure of 36.8%.

    This number is 26 companies higher than the previous year.

    The highest net company growth figure ever seen in one year came in 2007 when the Ashford company register grew by 410 companies.

    YearAshfordUK
    2014263214,114
    2013237197,150
    2012221198,164
    201184138,346
    20104258,125
    Record Year2007 (410)2007 (237,353)
    Net Growth by Year
  2. Half Year Data (Jul-Dec 2014)

    In the second half of 2014 the company register for Ashford increased by 93 companies.

    Half Year (Jul-Dec)AshfordUK
    20149390,590
    201312582,910
    Record Year2002 (243)2003 (117,772)
    Net Growth by Half Year
  3. Quarterly Data (Q4 Oct-Dec 2014)

    Net company growth for Ashford during the fourth quarter of 2014 (Oct 2014 - Dec 2014) was 57 companies.

    fourth quarter (Oct 2014 - Dec 2014)AshfordUK
    20145748,846
    20133836,396
    Record Year 2007 (87) 2012 (49,848)
    Net Growth by Quarter
  4. Monthly Data (Oct, Nov & Dec 2014)

    Net Growth by Month
    OctoberNovemberDecember
    Net growth in 20143722-2
    Net growth in 2013347-3
    Record Year2003 (52)1997 (38)2012 (32)

UK Company Share

  1. Annual Data (2014)

    In 2014 Ashford formed 0.2% of all UK companies. This is no change on 2013 when Ashford was responsible for 0.2% of all UK companies.

    YearAshford
    20140.2%
    20130.2%
    20120.2%
    20110.2%
    20100.2%
    Record Year (since 1960)2002 (0.2%)
    Company Share by Year
  2. Half Year Data (Jul-Dec 2014)

    In the second half of 2014 Ashford formed 0.2% of all UK companies. This is the same as the 2013 figure of 0.2%.

    Half Year (Jul-Dec)Ashford
    20140.2%
    20130.2%
    20120.2%
    20110.2%
    20100.2%
    Record Year (since 1960) 2002 (0.2%)
    Company Share by Half Year
  3. Quarterly Data (Q4 Oct-Dec 2014)

    In the fourth quarter of 2014, Ashford formed 0.1% of all UK companies.

    fourth quarter (Oct 2014 - Dec 2014)Ashford
    20140.1%
    20130.1%
    20120.2%
    20110.1%
    20100.2%
    Record Year (since 1960) 2000 (0.2%)
    Company Share by Quarter
  4. Monthly Data (Oct, Nov & Dec 2014)

    Company Share by Month
    OctoberNovemberDecember
    UK formation share in 20140.2%0.1%0.1%
    UK formation share in 20130.2%0.1%0.1%
    % change-0.2%10.8%-7.5%
    Record Year1999 (0.3%)1997 (0.3%)1990 (0.2%)

Director Age

  1. Annual Data (2014)

    The average age of a director in 2014 was 43.1.

    The percentage of directors under the age of 25 was 4.8% compared to the UK figure of 4.0%.

    The percentage of directors over the age of 65 was 8.4% compared to the UK figure of 4.0%.

    Director Age by Year
  2. Half Year Data (Jul-Dec 2014)

    The average age of a director in the second half of 2014 was 42.2.

    The percentage of directors under the age of 25 was 5.7% compared to the UK figure of 3.7%.

    The percentage of directors over the age of 65 was 12.7% compared to the UK figure of 4.5%.

    Director Age by Half Year
  3. Quarterly Data (Q4 Oct-Dec 2014)

    The average age of a director in the fourth quarter of 2014 was 45.9.

    The percentage of directors under the age of 25 was 6.3% compared to the UK figure of 3.8%.

    The percentage of directors over the age of 65 was 3.6% compared to the UK figure of 4.5%.

    Director Age by Quarter

Director Gender

  1. Annual Data (2014)

    The record year for female directors in Ashford was 1977 when 50.0% of all directors were female.

    The percentage of female directors in Ashford in 2014 was 24.8%. The average for the UK during this time was 26.1%

    Director Gender by Year
  2. Half Year Data (Jul-Dec 2014)

    The record second half year for female directors in Ashford was 2012 when 32.7% of all directors were female.

    21.9% of all director appointments in Ashford in the second half of 2014 were female. This compares to a UK average of 26.1% for the same period.

    Director Gender by Half Year
  3. Quarterly Data (Q4 Oct-Dec 2014)

    The record fourth quarter for female directors in Ashford was in 2012 when 32.9% of all directors were female.

    30.6% of all director appointments in Ashford in the fourth quarter of 2014 were female. This compares to a UK average of 25.8% for the same period.

    Director Gender by Quarter

Naming Trends

  1. Previous 12 months (Dec 2013-Dec 2014)

    Excluding: LIMITED, LTD, &, UK, SERVICES, THE, (UK), AND, LTD., A, LLP, SOLUTIONS, COMPANY, OF.

    wordpercentageuk worduk percentage
    CONSULTING1.56%CONSULTING5.22%
    KENT1.42%MANAGEMENT4.58%
    MANAGEMENT1.27%CONSULTANCY3.57%
    PROPERTY1.27%PROPERTY2.66%
    ASHFORD1.27%CONSTRUCTION2.12%
    CONSULTANCY1.13%ENGINEERING2.10%
    BUILDING0.99%CARE2.02%
    MEDIA0.85%TRADING1.94%
    CONSULTANTS0.78%LONDON1.93%
    BUSINESS0.78%TRANSPORT1.93%
    CONSTRUCTION0.78%DESIGN1.66%
    RAIL0.78%CONSULTANTS1.64%
    LONDON0.71%ELECTRICAL1.62%
    (KENT)0.71%PROPERTIES1.62%
    ASSOCIATES0.71%BUSINESS1.56%
    ENGINEERING0.64%J1.54%
    SONS0.57%CO.,1.50%
    ELITE0.57%GLOBAL1.49%
    IT0.50%INVESTMENTS1.48%
    EAST0.50%ASSOCIATES1.47%
    DESIGN0.50%DEVELOPMENTS1.35%
    WORKSHOP0.50%MEDIA1.33%
    R0.50%IT1.31%
    RED0.42%BUILDING1.29%
    TRADING0.42%M1.22%

SIC Data

  1. Previous 36 months, excluding companies less than 12 months old

    sic codenumber of companiesuk companies
    None Supplied331265,608
    99999 - Dormant Company9248,509
    70229 - Management consultancy activities other than financial management6842,290
    82990 - Other business support service activities not elsewhere classified6158,068
    96090 - Other service activities not elsewhere classified6029,009
    62020 - Information technology consultancy activities3630,178
    74909 - Other professional, scientific and technical activities not elsewhere classified3619,049
    41100 - Development of building projects2611,397
    62090 - Other information technology service activities2212,837
    86900 - Other human health activities2112,976
    68209 - Other letting and operating of own or leased real estate2111,212
    47910 - Retail sale via mail order houses or via Internet2010,107
    46320 - Wholesale of meat and meat products19418
    43390 - Other building completion and finishing185,931
    74990 - Non-trading company1713,984
    43999 - Other specialised construction activities not elsewhere classified168,761
    56101 - Licensed restaurants168,782
    62012 - Business and domestic software development159,752
    69201 - Accounting and auditing activities157,528
    41202 - Construction of domestic buildings157,559

Recent Companies

  1. Randomly selected companies from this quarter

    COMPANY NUMBERCOMPANY NAMEINCORPORATION DATE
    09296101 HOME COUNTIES LIFT SERVICES LIMITED 05 Nov 2014
    09302093 ART MOTORCYCLES LTD 10 Nov 2014
    09319088 SAGE AND PARTNERS (KENT) LIMITED 19 Nov 2014
    09320970 SIMON BROOKER LIMITED 20 Nov 2014
    09321192 FLAGSHIP DIGITAL LTD 20 Nov 2014
    09330231 GODINTON 1963 LIMITED 27 Nov 2014
    09330705 OMEGA IT AND CLOUD SERVICES LTD 27 Nov 2014
    OC396247 QUBA DESIGNS LLP 03 Nov 2014
    09293987 INTELLIGENT INSULATION LIMITED 04 Nov 2014
    09295302 SERIOUSLYREVIVAL LTD 04 Nov 2014
    09298994 LONGYARD PROJECTS LIMITED 06 Nov 2014
    09299730 HLABI LTD 06 Nov 2014
    09311909 BEARINGSHOPUK LTD 14 Nov 2014
    09327353 OBI MANAGEMENT SERVICES LTD 25 Nov 2014
    09329242 OUT OF OUR TREE LTD 26 Nov 2014
    09320507 BLANC ASSOCIATES LIMITED 20 Nov 2014
    09326658 KH EVENTS LTD. 25 Nov 2014
    09291706 ANDREA BENNEYWORTH & CO LIMITED 03 Nov 2014
    09301451 QUINDIGITAL LTD 07 Nov 2014
    09304605 MARTIN CIVIL ENGINEERING LTD. 11 Nov 2014
    09329138 LDC DIRECT LTD 26 Nov 2014
    09307992 COLLABOR8 TRAINING & CONSULTANCY LTD 12 Nov 2014
    09314060 A2B SERVICES (UK) LTD 17 Nov 2014
    09320996 JMK ELECTRICS SOUTHEAST LTD 20 Nov 2014
    09323334 MARCHMOUNT LIMITED 24 Nov 2014