Hertfordshire

2014 Annual Business Confidence Report

Headlines

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

    A total of 15,037 companies were formed in Hertfordshire in 2014. This total is 12.5% higher than in 2013 and compares equally to the UK figure of a 10.0% growth compared to 529,363 the previous year.

    YearHertfordshireUK
    201415,037582,051
    201313,367529,363
    201213,077491,893
    201112,251452,870
    201010,716400,358
    Record Year2014 (15,037)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 Hertfordshire when compared to any previous second half year.

    In the second half of 2014 a total of 7,381 companies were formed in Hertfordshire. This figure is 11.2% higher than last year, which compares well to the UK wide figure of 8.2%.

    The highest total for a second half year in Hertfordshire occurred in 2014 when a total of 7,381 were formed.

    Half Year (Jul-Dec)HertfordshireUK
    20147,381281,320
    20136,638259,931
    % change11.2%8.2%
    Record Year2014 (7,381)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 Hertfordshire when compared to any previous Q4.

    A total of 3,687 companies were registered in Hertfordshire during the fourth quarter of 2014 (Oct 2014 - Dec 2014).

    This figure is an increase of 11.0% 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)HertfordshireUK
    20143,687137,906
    20133,322127,247
    % change11.0%8.4%
    Record Year 2014 (3,687) 2014 (137,906)
    New Companies by Quarter
  4. Monthly Data (Oct, Nov & Dec 2014)

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

    November 2014 saw a new record in company registrations in Hertfordshire when compared to any previous November.

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

    New Companies by Month
    OctoberNovemberDecember
    New companies in 20141,3791,2321,076
    New companies in 20131,2651,160897
    % change9.0%6.2%20.0%
    Record Year2014 (1,379)2014 (1,232)2014 (1,076)

Closed Companies (dissolved)

  1. Annual Data (2014)

    A total of 9,615 companies were dissolved in Hertfordshire in 2014. This total is 9.2% higher than in 2013 and compares unfavourably to the UK figure of 10.8% growth compared to the previous year.

    YearHertfordshireUK
    20149,615367,937
    20138,802332,213
    20127,496293,729
    20117,796314,524
    20108,551342,233
    Record Year2009 (14,987)2009 (533,789)
    Dissolved Companies by Year
  2. Half Year Data (Jul-Dec 2014)

    In the second half of 2014 a total of 5,001 companies were dissolved in Hertfordshire. This figure is 12.4% higher than last year, which compares badly to the UK wide change of 7.7%.

    The highest total for a second half year in Hertfordshire occurred in 2009 when a total of 5,911 were closed.

    Half Year (Jul-Dec)HertfordshireUK
    20145,001190,730
    20134,448177,021
    % change12.4%7.7%
    Record Year2009 (5,911)2009 (244,544)
    Dissolved Companies by Half Year
  3. Quarterly Data (Q4 Oct-Dec 2014)

    A total of 2,350 companies were dissolved in Hertfordshire during the fourth quarter of 2014 (Oct 2014 - Dec 2014).

    This figure is an increase of 2.2% 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)HertfordshireUK
    20142,35089,060
    20132,29990,851
    % change2.2%-2.0%
    Record Year 2014 (2,350) 2013 (90,851)
    Dissolved Companies by Quarter
  4. Monthly Data (Oct, Nov & Dec 2014)

    December 2014 saw a new record in company closures in Hertfordshire when compared to any previous December.

    Dissolved Companies by Month
    OctoberNovemberDecember
    Closed companies in 2014727715908
    Closed companies in 2013865694740
    % change-16.0%3.0%23%
    Record Year2012 (881)2010 (822)2014 (908)

Net Company Growth

  1. Annual Data (2014)

    A total of 5,422 companies were added to the company register for Hertfordshire in 2014. This number represents growth of 36.1% in the total number of active companies, which compares unfavourably to the UK figure of 36.8%.

    This number is 857 companies higher than the previous year.

    The highest net company growth figure ever seen in one year came in 2007 when the Hertfordshire company register grew by 7,342 companies.

    YearHertfordshireUK
    20145,422214,114
    20134,565197,150
    20125,581198,164
    20114,455138,346
    20102,16558,125
    Record Year2007 (7,342)2007 (237,353)
    Net Growth by Year
  2. Half Year Data (Jul-Dec 2014)

    In the second half of 2014 the company register for Hertfordshire increased by 2,380 companies.

    Half Year (Jul-Dec)HertfordshireUK
    20142,38090,590
    20132,19082,910
    Record Year2012 (2,421)2003 (117,772)
    Net Growth by Half Year
  3. Quarterly Data (Q4 Oct-Dec 2014)

    Net company growth for Hertfordshire during the fourth quarter of 2014 (Oct 2014 - Dec 2014) was 1,337 companies.

    fourth quarter (Oct 2014 - Dec 2014)HertfordshireUK
    20141,33748,846
    20131,02336,396
    Record Year 2014 (1,337) 2012 (49,848)
    Net Growth by Quarter
  4. Monthly Data (Oct, Nov & Dec 2014)

    November 2014 saw a new record in net growth in Hertfordshire when compared to any previous November.

    October 2014 saw a new record in net growth in Hertfordshire when compared to any previous October.

    Net Growth by Month
    OctoberNovemberDecember
    Net growth in 2014652517168
    Net growth in 2013400466157
    Record Year2014 (652)2014 (517)2005 (421)

UK Company Share

  1. Annual Data (2014)

    In 2014 Hertfordshire formed 2.6% of all UK companies. This is an improvement on 2013 when Hertfordshire was responsible for 2.5% of all UK companies.

    YearHertfordshire
    20142.6%
    20132.5%
    20122.7%
    20112.7%
    20102.7%
    Record Year (since 1960)1993 (3.1%)
    Company Share by Year
  2. Half Year Data (Jul-Dec 2014)

    In the second half of 2014 Hertfordshire formed 2.6% of all UK companies. This is the same as the 2013 figure of 2.6%.

    Half Year (Jul-Dec)Hertfordshire
    20142.6%
    20132.6%
    20122.6%
    20112.6%
    20102.6%
    Record Year (since 1960) 1991 (3.1%)
    Company Share by Half Year
  3. Quarterly Data (Q4 Oct-Dec 2014)

    In the fourth quarter of 2014, Hertfordshire formed 2.7% of all UK companies.

    fourth quarter (Oct 2014 - Dec 2014)Hertfordshire
    20142.7%
    20132.6%
    20122.5%
    20112.6%
    20102.6%
    Record Year (since 1960) 1994 (3.3%)
    Company Share by Quarter
  4. Monthly Data (Oct, Nov & Dec 2014)

    Company Share by Month
    OctoberNovemberDecember
    UK formation share in 20142.6%2.7%2.7%
    UK formation share in 20132.6%2.7%2.6%
    % change3.7%0.8%2.7%
    Record Year1994 (3.6%)1994 (3.1%)2001 (3.3%)

Director Age

  1. Annual Data (2014)

    The average age of a director in 2014 was 43.7.

    The percentage of directors under the age of 25 was 4.2% compared to the UK figure of 4.0%.

    The percentage of directors over the age of 65 was 3.9% 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 43.8.

    The percentage of directors under the age of 25 was 4.1% compared to the UK figure of 3.7%.

    The percentage of directors over the age of 65 was 3.7% 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 43.9.

    The percentage of directors under the age of 25 was 4.2% compared to the UK figure of 3.8%.

    The percentage of directors over the age of 65 was 3.9% 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 Hertfordshire was 1990 when 34.3% of all directors were female.

    The percentage of female directors in Hertfordshire in 2014 was 26.7%. 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 Hertfordshire was 2006 when 28.6% of all directors were female.

    26.9% of all director appointments in Hertfordshire 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 Hertfordshire was in 2006 when 29.0% of all directors were female.

    27.1% of all director appointments in Hertfordshire 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
    CONSULTING3.59%CONSULTING5.22%
    MANAGEMENT2.61%MANAGEMENT4.58%
    CONSULTANCY2.16%CONSULTANCY3.57%
    PROPERTY1.41%PROPERTY2.66%
    LONDON1.07%CONSTRUCTION2.12%
    CONSTRUCTION1.03%ENGINEERING2.10%
    CARE1.03%CARE2.02%
    PROPERTIES0.90%TRADING1.94%
    CONSULTANTS0.88%LONDON1.93%
    ELECTRICAL0.87%TRANSPORT1.93%
    ASSOCIATES0.87%DESIGN1.66%
    INVESTMENTS0.87%CONSULTANTS1.64%
    MARKETING0.84%ELECTRICAL1.62%
    IT0.82%PROPERTIES1.62%
    J0.81%BUSINESS1.56%
    HEALTH0.80%J1.54%
    DESIGN0.76%CO.,1.50%
    TRADING0.74%GLOBAL1.49%
    MEDIA0.71%INVESTMENTS1.48%
    M0.68%ASSOCIATES1.47%
    BUILDING0.67%DEVELOPMENTS1.35%
    BUSINESS0.67%MEDIA1.33%
    TRANSPORT0.63%IT1.31%
    DEVELOPMENTS0.58%BUILDING1.29%
    HEALTHCARE0.56%M1.22%

SIC Data

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

    sic codenumber of companiesuk companies
    None Supplied6,592265,608
    70229 - Management consultancy activities other than financial management1,61242,290
    82990 - Other business support service activities not elsewhere classified1,41158,068
    62020 - Information technology consultancy activities1,14430,178
    99999 - Dormant Company1,07048,509
    96090 - Other service activities not elsewhere classified79229,009
    74909 - Other professional, scientific and technical activities not elsewhere classified46719,049
    74990 - Non-trading company43013,984
    86900 - Other human health activities42112,976
    41100 - Development of building projects40611,397
    62090 - Other information technology service activities37212,837
    62012 - Business and domestic software development2889,752
    68209 - Other letting and operating of own or leased real estate28111,212
    47910 - Retail sale via mail order houses or via Internet25710,107
    69201 - Accounting and auditing activities2407,528
    98000 - Residents property management2385,255
    43999 - Other specialised construction activities not elsewhere classified2208,761
    41202 - Construction of domestic buildings2147,559
    86101 - Hospital activities2074,366
    68100 - Buying and selling of own real estate1927,106

Recent Companies

  1. Randomly selected companies from this quarter

    COMPANY NUMBERCOMPANY NAMEINCORPORATION DATE
    09341664 LAURA PRENDIVILLE LIMITED 04 Dec 2014
    09342960 S AND S INFOTECH LIMITED 05 Dec 2014
    09343885 ECHELON IMPROVEMENT PARTNERSHIPS LIMITED 08 Dec 2014
    09354040 PGB SEVENTY FOUR LIMITED 15 Dec 2014
    09356098 PRESTIGE PAINTING AND DECORATING LIMITED 16 Dec 2014
    09365728 FAIRPLANE UK LIMITED 23 Dec 2014
    09366571 ASSOCIA MANAGEMENT LIMITED 24 Dec 2014
    09366947 YTD ST ALBANS LIMITED 24 Dec 2014
    09371028 BIFROST PROPERTIES LIMITED 31 Dec 2014
    09338064 DSG NETWORKS LIMITED 03 Dec 2014
    09341419 HOOFCO LTD 04 Dec 2014
    09341427 DKL SERVICE UK LTD 04 Dec 2014
    09349722 C M SCENIC LTD 10 Dec 2014
    09356396 OPB CREATIVE LTD. 16 Dec 2014
    09336655 SQUARE CIRCLE SOLUTIONS LIMITED 02 Dec 2014
    09337116 INSIDEOUT GARDEN DESIGNS LIMITED 02 Dec 2014
    09340031 JAMES CAROL BOOKS LIMITED 03 Dec 2014
    09344987 STRATEGY AND CHANGE SERVICES LIMITED 08 Dec 2014
    09345633 OH GEE LTD 08 Dec 2014
    09356389 CJ HACKETT ASSOCIATES LIMITED 16 Dec 2014
    09356606 POOH CORNER AT ST MARY'S LTD 16 Dec 2014
    09362754 LITTLETON MANAGEMENT LIMITED 19 Dec 2014
    09364912 RC GROUP (UK) LTD 22 Dec 2014
    09365387 HESTIA SOLUTIONS LTD 23 Dec 2014
    09339046 ASSURED TRAINING & CONSULTANCY LIMITED 03 Dec 2014