Bedfordshire

2012 Annual Business Confidence Report

Headlines

  • 2012 was a record year for company registrations in Bedfordshire when compared to any year in history.
  • The second half of 2012 saw a new record in company registrations in Bedfordshire when compared to any previous second half year.
  • Q4 2012 saw a new record in company registrations in Bedfordshire when compared to any previous Q4.
  • December 2012 saw a new record in company registrations in Bedfordshire when compared to any previous December.
  • November 2012 saw a new record in company registrations in Bedfordshire when compared to any previous November.
  • October 2012 saw a new record in company registrations in Bedfordshire when compared to any previous October.
  • October 2012 saw a new record in company closures in Bedfordshire when compared to any previous October.
  • 2012 was a record year for net growth in Bedfordshire when compared to any year in history.
  • The second half of 2012 saw a new record in net growth in Bedfordshire when compared to any previous second half year.
  • Q4 2012 saw a new record in net growth in Bedfordshire when compared to any previous Q4.
  • December 2012 saw a new record in net growth in Bedfordshire when compared to any previous December.
  • November 2012 saw a new record in net growth in Bedfordshire when compared to any previous November.

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 (2012)

    2012 was a record year for company registrations in Bedfordshire when compared to any year in history.

    A total of 4,469 companies were formed in Bedfordshire in 2012. This total is 14.9% higher than in 2011 and compares equally to the UK figure of a 8.6% growth compared to 452,870 the previous year.

    YearBedfordshireUK
    20124,469491,893
    20113,890452,870
    20103,474400,358
    20093,180362,675
    20083,093349,203
    Record Year2012 (4,469)2012 (491,893)
    New Companies by Year
  2. Half Year Data (Jul-Dec 2012)

    The second half of 2012 saw a new record in company registrations in Bedfordshire when compared to any previous second half year.

    In the second half of 2012 a total of 2,212 companies were formed in Bedfordshire. This figure is 15.0% higher than last year, which compares well to the UK wide figure of 6.5%.

    The highest total for a second half year in Bedfordshire occurred in 2012 when a total of 2,212 were formed.

    Half Year (Jul-Dec)BedfordshireUK
    20122,212238,743
    20111,924224,135
    % change15.0%6.5%
    Record Year2012 (2,212)2012 (238,743)
    New Companies by Half Year
  3. Quarterly Data (Q4 Oct-Dec 2012)

    Q4 2012 saw a new record in company registrations in Bedfordshire when compared to any previous Q4.

    A total of 1,094 companies were registered in Bedfordshire during the fourth quarter of 2012 (Oct 2012 - Dec 2012).

    This figure is an increase of 14.3% versus the same period last year (Q4 2011). This figure compares equally to the UK as a whole, which saw an increase of 9.4% against the same period last year.

    fourth quarter (Oct 2012 - Dec 2012)BedfordshireUK
    20121,094119,875
    2011957109,623
    % change14.3%9.4%
    Record Year 2012 (1,094) 2012 (119,875)
    New Companies by Quarter
  4. Monthly Data (Oct, Nov & Dec 2012)

    December 2012 saw a new record in company registrations in Bedfordshire when compared to any previous December.

    November 2012 saw a new record in company registrations in Bedfordshire when compared to any previous November.

    October 2012 saw a new record in company registrations in Bedfordshire when compared to any previous October.

    New Companies by Month
    OctoberNovemberDecember
    New companies in 2012417388289
    New companies in 2011340352265
    % change22.6%10.2%9.1%
    Record Year2012 (417)2012 (388)2012 (289)

Closed Companies (dissolved)

  1. Annual Data (2012)

    A total of 2,483 companies were dissolved in Bedfordshire in 2012. This total is 0.6% higher than in 2011 and compares favourably to the UK figure of 6.6% decrease compared to the previous year.

    YearBedfordshireUK
    20122,483293,728
    20112,468314,524
    20102,575342,233
    20093,734533,787
    20081,608237,873
    Record Year2009 (3,734)2009 (533,787)
    Dissolved Companies by Year
  2. Half Year Data (Jul-Dec 2012)

    In the second half of 2012 a total of 1,219 companies were dissolved in Bedfordshire. This figure is 2.8% lower than last year, which compares badly to the UK wide change of -4.1%.

    The highest total for a second half year in Bedfordshire occurred in 2009 when a total of 1,662 were closed.

    Half Year (Jul-Dec)BedfordshireUK
    20121,219145,934
    20111,254152,213
    % change-2.8%-4.1%
    Record Year2009 (1,662)2009 (244,543)
    Dissolved Companies by Half Year
  3. Quarterly Data (Q4 Oct-Dec 2012)

    A total of 613 companies were dissolved in Bedfordshire during the fourth quarter of 2012 (Oct 2012 - Dec 2012).

    This figure is a decrease of 10.6% versus the same period last year (Q4 2011). This figure compares poorly to the UK as a whole, which saw a decrease of 12.4% against the same period last year.

    fourth quarter (Oct 2012 - Dec 2012)BedfordshireUK
    201261370,026
    201168679,983
    % change-10.6%-12.4%
    Record Year 2009 (692) 2009 (85,139)
    Dissolved Companies by Quarter
  4. Monthly Data (Oct, Nov & Dec 2012)

    October 2012 saw a new record in company closures in Bedfordshire when compared to any previous October.

    Dissolved Companies by Month
    OctoberNovemberDecember
    Closed companies in 2012279200134
    Closed companies in 2011138251297
    % change102.2%-20.3%-55%
    Record Year2012 (279)2010 (255)2011 (297)

Net Company Growth

  1. Annual Data (2012)

    2012 was a record year for net growth in Bedfordshire when compared to any year in history.

    A total of 1,986 companies were added to the company register for Bedfordshire in 2012. This number represents growth of 51.1% in the total number of active companies, which compares favourably to the UK figure of 43.8%.

    This number is 564 companies higher than the previous year.

    The highest net company growth figure ever seen in one year came in 2012 when the Bedfordshire company register grew by 1,986 companies.

    YearBedfordshireUK
    20121,986198,165
    20111,422138,346
    201089958,125
    2009-554-171,112
    20081,485111,330
    Record Year2012 (1,986)2003 (242,541)
    Net Growth by Year
  2. Half Year Data (Jul-Dec 2012)

    The second half of 2012 saw a new record in net growth in Bedfordshire when compared to any previous second half year.

    In the second half of 2012 the company register for Bedfordshire increased by 993 companies.

    Half Year (Jul-Dec)BedfordshireUK
    201299392,809
    201167071,922
    Record Year2012 (993)2003 (117,772)
    Net Growth by Half Year
  3. Quarterly Data (Q4 Oct-Dec 2012)

    Q4 2012 saw a new record in net growth in Bedfordshire when compared to any previous Q4.

    Net company growth for Bedfordshire during the fourth quarter of 2012 (Oct 2012 - Dec 2012) was 481 companies.

    fourth quarter (Oct 2012 - Dec 2012)BedfordshireUK
    201248149,849
    201127129,640
    Record Year 2012 (481) 2003 (57,175)
    Net Growth by Quarter
  4. Monthly Data (Oct, Nov & Dec 2012)

    December 2012 saw a new record in net growth in Bedfordshire when compared to any previous December.

    November 2012 saw a new record in net growth in Bedfordshire when compared to any previous November.

    Net Growth by Month
    OctoberNovemberDecember
    Net growth in 2012138188155
    Net growth in 2011202101-32
    Record Year2011 (202)2012 (188)2012 (155)

UK Company Share

  1. Annual Data (2012)

    In 2012 Bedfordshire formed 0.9% of all UK companies. This is no change on 2011 when Bedfordshire was responsible for 0.9% of all UK companies.

    YearBedfordshire
    20120.9%
    20110.9%
    20100.9%
    20090.9%
    20080.9%
    Record Year (since 1960)1998 (1.2%)
    Company Share by Year
  2. Half Year Data (Jul-Dec 2012)

    In the second half of 2012 Bedfordshire formed 0.9% of all UK companies. This is the same as the 2011 figure of 0.9%.

    Half Year (Jul-Dec)Bedfordshire
    20120.9%
    20110.9%
    20100.9%
    20090.9%
    20080.9%
    Record Year (since 1960) 1969 (1.3%)
    Company Share by Half Year
  3. Quarterly Data (Q4 Oct-Dec 2012)

    In the fourth quarter of 2012, Bedfordshire formed 0.9% of all UK companies.

    fourth quarter (Oct 2012 - Dec 2012)Bedfordshire
    20120.9%
    20110.9%
    20100.9%
    20090.9%
    20080.9%
    Record Year (since 1960) 1978 (1.3%)
    Company Share by Quarter
  4. Monthly Data (Oct, Nov & Dec 2012)

    Company Share by Month
    OctoberNovemberDecember
    UK formation share in 20120.9%0.9%0.9%
    UK formation share in 20110.9%0.9%0.9%
    % change3.1%4.9%6.1%
    Record Year1997 (1.3%)1979 (1.6%)1978 (1.6%)

Director Age

  1. Annual Data (2012)

    The average age of a director in 2012 was 42.5.

    The percentage of directors under the age of 25 was 4.4% compared to the UK figure of 3.8%.

    The percentage of directors over the age of 65 was 3.5% compared to the UK figure of 4.1%.

    Director Age by Year
  2. Half Year Data (Jul-Dec 2012)

    The average age of a director in the second half of 2012 was 42.1.

    The percentage of directors under the age of 25 was 4.9% compared to the UK figure of 4.3%.

    The percentage of directors over the age of 65 was 3.4% compared to the UK figure of 4.0%.

    Director Age by Half Year
  3. Quarterly Data (Q4 Oct-Dec 2012)

    The average age of a director in the fourth quarter of 2012 was 41.7.

    The percentage of directors under the age of 25 was 4.5% compared to the UK figure of 4.4%.

    The percentage of directors over the age of 65 was 3.2% compared to the UK figure of 3.9%.

    Director Age by Quarter

Director Gender

  1. Annual Data (2012)

    The record year for female directors in Bedfordshire was 1860 when 35.7% of all directors were female.

    The percentage of female directors in Bedfordshire in 2012 was 30.2%. The average for the UK during this time was 29.9%

    Director Gender by Year
  2. Half Year Data (Jul-Dec 2012)

    The record second half year for female directors in Bedfordshire was 1860 when 42.9% of all directors were female.

    27.3% of all director appointments in Bedfordshire in the second half of 2012 were female. This compares to a UK average of 25.5% for the same period.

    Director Gender by Half Year
  3. Quarterly Data (Q4 Oct-Dec 2012)

    The record fourth quarter for female directors in Bedfordshire was in 1977 when 31.2% of all directors were female.

    28.0% of all director appointments in Bedfordshire in the fourth quarter of 2012 were female. This compares to a UK average of 25.3% for the same period.

    Director Gender by Quarter

Naming Trends

  1. Previous 12 months (Dec 2011-Dec 2012)

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

    wordpercentageuk worduk percentage
    CONSULTING1.73%CONSULTING5.15%
    MANAGEMENT1.66%MANAGEMENT4.78%
    CONSULTANCY1.31%CONSULTANCY3.31%
    CO1.20%PROPERTY2.40%
    PROPERTY0.92%TRADING2.03%
    ASSOCIATES0.87%DESIGN1.86%
    CP0.70%ASSOCIATES1.82%
    IT0.70%ENGINEERING1.79%
    CONSTRUCTION0.70%BUSINESS1.76%
    MEDIA0.68%CONSULTANTS1.75%
    SECURITY0.66%CONSTRUCTION1.69%
    CARE0.66%LONDON1.69%
    GLOBAL0.64%MEDIA1.69%
    S0.61%GLOBAL1.59%
    BUILDING0.61%J1.57%
    BUSINESS0.61%INVESTMENTS1.46%
    DESIGN0.59%IT1.43%
    CONSULTANTS0.59%CARE1.39%
    TRANSPORT0.59%PROPERTIES1.34%
    M0.57%M1.26%
    ACADEMY0.57%BUILDING1.23%
    J0.57%ENTERPRISES1.21%
    TRADING0.55%TRAINING1.18%
    ELECTRICAL0.53%ELECTRICAL1.17%
    LUTON0.52%SECURITY1.17%

SIC Data

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

    sic codenumber of companiesuk companies
    None Supplied2,000236,139
    82990 - Other business support service activities not elsewhere classified31052,427
    70229 - Management consultancy activities other than financial management30430,396
    99999 - Dormant Company26340,648
    62020 - Information technology consultancy activities24323,256
    96090 - Other service activities not elsewhere classified18222,058
    62090 - Other information technology service activities13512,291
    74909 - Other professional, scientific and technical activities not elsewhere classified11215,572
    49410 - Freight transport by road935,165
    74990 - Non-trading company9313,808
    41100 - Development of building projects827,980
    7487 - Other business activities7810,703
    56101 - Licensed restaurants776,400
    43999 - Other specialised construction activities not elsewhere classified736,419
    86900 - Other human health activities707,866
    43390 - Other building completion and finishing574,882
    45200 - Maintenance and repair of motor vehicles574,290
    47910 - Retail sale via mail order houses or via Internet546,307
    62012 - Business and domestic software development547,446
    43210 - Electrical installation535,304

Recent Companies

  1. Randomly selected companies from this quarter

    COMPANY NUMBERCOMPANY NAMEINCORPORATION DATE
    08281750 RANK SERVICE SOLUTIONS LTD 06 Nov 2012
    08283043 AADI IT SOLUTIONS LIMITED 06 Nov 2012
    08283827 3ENIGMA LIMITED 07 Nov 2012
    08285498 AVIVA DAY SPA LIMITED 08 Nov 2012
    08291268 HARKER & CO LIMITED 13 Nov 2012
    08293646 SOURCEREPORT LIMITED 14 Nov 2012
    08295952 GRANDMA'S RECIPE LIMITED 15 Nov 2012
    08303141 DUCHESSHK LIMITED 22 Nov 2012
    08303965 FEEL SECURE SYSTEMS LTD 22 Nov 2012
    08305419 N2R GLOBAL LIMITED 23 Nov 2012
    08306727 CHUTKI IT SOLUTIONS LIMITED 26 Nov 2012
    08310625 MY ESL RECRUITMENT LTD 28 Nov 2012
    08314062 REEDS COURT LIMITED 30 Nov 2012
    08279393 DRINKS VAULT LIMITED 02 Nov 2012
    08284753 MANOR FARM BARNS (COLMWORTH) LIMITED 07 Nov 2012
    08287225 32 PEARLS LIMITED 08 Nov 2012
    08289549 IOAN POP SERVICES LTD 12 Nov 2012
    08294842 REGENCY CAR RENTALS LIMITED 15 Nov 2012
    08304712 CHRIS EUBANK FASHION LIMITED 22 Nov 2012
    08310317 MAXROPAFADZO SERVICES LTD 27 Nov 2012
    08282260 GAC LEGAL AND ACCOUNTING LIMITED 06 Nov 2012
    08286420 JNS RETRO LIMITED 08 Nov 2012
    08286660 SUFFOLK HOUSE MANAGEMENT COMPANY LIMITED 08 Nov 2012
    08289735 BENSALEM INVESTMENTS LIMITED 12 Nov 2012
    08290540 SYSTEMS RELIABILITY LTD 12 Nov 2012