Watford, Hertfordshire

2014 Annual Business Confidence Report

Headlines

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

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

    A total of 2,063 companies were formed in Watford in 2014. This total is 43.5% higher than in 2013 and compares favourably to the UK figure of a 10.0% growth compared to 529,363 the previous year.

    YearWatfordUK
    20142,063582,051
    20131,438529,363
    20121,164491,893
    20111,118452,870
    20101,012400,358
    Record Year2014 (2,063)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 Watford when compared to any previous second half year.

    The second half of 2014 was a record second half year for company registrations in Watford when compared to any half year in history.

    In the second half of 2014 a total of 1,136 companies were formed in Watford. This figure is 46.0% higher than last year, which compares well to the UK wide figure of 8.2%.

    The highest total for a second half year in Watford occurred in 2014 when a total of 1,136 were formed.

    Half Year (Jul-Dec)WatfordUK
    20141,136281,320
    2013778259,931
    % change46.0%8.2%
    Record Year2014 (1,136)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 Watford when compared to any previous Q4.

    A total of 532 companies were registered in Watford during the fourth quarter of 2014 (Oct 2014 - Dec 2014).

    This figure is an increase of 50.7% versus the same period last year (Q4 2013). This figure compares well 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)WatfordUK
    2014532137,906
    2013353127,247
    % change50.7%8.4%
    Record Year 2014 (532) 2014 (137,906)
    New Companies by Quarter
  4. Monthly Data (Oct, Nov & Dec 2014)

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

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

    New Companies by Month
    OctoberNovemberDecember
    New companies in 2014188186158
    New companies in 201313613879
    % change38.2%34.8%100.0%
    Record Year2007 (231)2014 (186)2014 (158)

Closed Companies (dissolved)

  1. Annual Data (2014)

    A total of 1,119 companies were dissolved in Watford in 2014. This total is 17.2% higher than in 2013 and compares favourably to the UK figure of 10.8% growth compared to the previous year.

    YearWatfordUK
    20141,119367,937
    2013955332,213
    2012775293,729
    2011739314,524
    2010883342,233
    Record Year2009 (1,920)2009 (533,789)
    Dissolved Companies by Year
  2. Half Year Data (Jul-Dec 2014)

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

    In the second half of 2014 a total of 583 companies were dissolved in Watford. This figure is 19.2% higher than last year, which compares badly to the UK wide change of 7.7%.

    The highest total for a second half year in Watford occurred in 2014 when a total of 583 were closed.

    Half Year (Jul-Dec)WatfordUK
    2014583190,730
    2013489177,021
    % change19.2%7.7%
    Record Year2014 (583)2009 (244,544)
    Dissolved Companies by Half Year
  3. Quarterly Data (Q4 Oct-Dec 2014)

    A total of 275 companies were dissolved in Watford during the fourth quarter of 2014 (Oct 2014 - Dec 2014).

    This figure is an increase of 12.2% 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)WatfordUK
    201427589,060
    201324590,851
    % change12.2%-2.0%
    Record Year 2014 (275) 2013 (90,851)
    Dissolved Companies by Quarter
  4. Monthly Data (Oct, Nov & Dec 2014)

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

    Dissolved Companies by Month
    OctoberNovemberDecember
    Closed companies in 20147694105
    Closed companies in 2013747794
    % change2.7%22.1%12%
    Record Year2012 (93)2008 (125)2014 (105)

Net Company Growth

  1. Annual Data (2014)

    A total of 944 companies were added to the company register for Watford in 2014. This number represents growth of 45.8% in the total number of active companies, which compares favourably to the UK figure of 36.8%.

    This number is 461 companies higher than the previous year.

    The highest net company growth figure ever seen in one year came in 2007 when the Watford company register grew by 1,020 companies.

    YearWatfordUK
    2014944214,114
    2013483197,150
    2012389198,164
    2011379138,346
    201012958,125
    Record Year2007 (1,020)2007 (237,353)
    Net Growth by Year
  2. Half Year Data (Jul-Dec 2014)

    The second half of 2014 saw a new record in net growth in Watford when compared to any previous second half year.

    In the second half of 2014 the company register for Watford increased by 553 companies.

    Half Year (Jul-Dec)WatfordUK
    201455390,590
    201328982,910
    Record Year2014 (553)2003 (117,772)
    Net Growth by Half Year
  3. Quarterly Data (Q4 Oct-Dec 2014)

    Net company growth for Watford during the fourth quarter of 2014 (Oct 2014 - Dec 2014) was 257 companies.

    fourth quarter (Oct 2014 - Dec 2014)WatfordUK
    201425748,846
    201310836,396
    Record Year 2014 (257) 2012 (49,848)
    Net Growth by Quarter
  4. Monthly Data (Oct, Nov & Dec 2014)

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

    Net Growth by Month
    OctoberNovemberDecember
    Net growth in 20141129253
    Net growth in 20136261-15
    Record Year2007 (168)2014 (92)2006 (88)

UK Company Share

  1. Annual Data (2014)

    In 2014 Watford formed 0.4% of all UK companies. This is an improvement on 2013 when Watford was responsible for 0.3% of all UK companies.

    YearWatford
    20140.4%
    20130.3%
    20120.2%
    20110.2%
    20100.3%
    Record Year (since 1960)2014 (0.4%)
    Company Share by Year
  2. Half Year Data (Jul-Dec 2014)

    In the second half of 2014 Watford formed 0.4% of all UK companies. This is more than the 2013 figure of 0.3%.

    Half Year (Jul-Dec)Watford
    20140.4%
    20130.3%
    20120.2%
    20110.2%
    20100.2%
    Record Year (since 1960) 2014 (0.4%)
    Company Share by Half Year
  3. Quarterly Data (Q4 Oct-Dec 2014)

    In the fourth quarter of 2014, Watford formed 0.4% of all UK companies.

    fourth quarter (Oct 2014 - Dec 2014)Watford
    20140.4%
    20130.3%
    20120.2%
    20110.2%
    20100.3%
    Record Year (since 1960) 2007 (0.4%)
    Company Share by Quarter
  4. Monthly Data (Oct, Nov & Dec 2014)

    Company Share by Month
    OctoberNovemberDecember
    UK formation share in 20140.4%0.4%0.4%
    UK formation share in 20130.3%0.3%0.2%
    % change31.5%28.0%71.2%
    Record Year2007 (0.7%)2014 (0.4%)1990 (0.6%)

Director Age

  1. Annual Data (2014)

    The average age of a director in 2014 was 42.2.

    The percentage of directors under the age of 25 was 2.7% compared to the UK figure of 4.0%.

    The percentage of directors over the age of 65 was 3.6% 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 41.7.

    The percentage of directors under the age of 25 was 2.3% compared to the UK figure of 3.7%.

    The percentage of directors over the age of 65 was 4.0% 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 42.8.

    The percentage of directors under the age of 25 was 2.8% compared to the UK figure of 3.8%.

    The percentage of directors over the age of 65 was 4.8% 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 Watford was 1970 when 100.0% of all directors were female.

    The percentage of female directors in Watford in 2014 was 22.1%. 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 Watford was 2010 when 28.4% of all directors were female.

    21.7% of all director appointments in Watford 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 Watford was in 2012 when 31.2% of all directors were female.

    25.9% of all director appointments in Watford 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
    CONSULTING3.02%CONSULTING5.22%
    MARKETING2.29%MANAGEMENT4.58%
    HEALTH2.25%CONSULTANCY3.57%
    CONSULTANCY1.66%PROPERTY2.66%
    LONDON0.97%CONSTRUCTION2.12%
    PROPERTY0.90%ENGINEERING2.10%
    MANAGEMENT0.87%CARE2.02%
    IT0.83%TRADING1.94%
    WATFORD0.80%LONDON1.93%
    ELITE0.76%TRANSPORT1.93%
    CONSULTANTS0.73%DESIGN1.66%
    CARE0.66%CONSULTANTS1.64%
    DIRECT0.66%ELECTRICAL1.62%
    ELECTRICAL0.62%PROPERTIES1.62%
    BUSINESS0.62%BUSINESS1.56%
    PRODUCTS0.62%J1.54%
    CONSTRUCTION0.62%CO.,1.50%
    J0.59%GLOBAL1.49%
    M0.55%INVESTMENTS1.48%
    ONLINE0.55%ASSOCIATES1.47%
    FINANCIAL0.52%DEVELOPMENTS1.35%
    NUTRA0.52%MEDIA1.33%
    GLOBAL0.52%IT1.31%
    DESIGN0.52%BUILDING1.29%
    TRADING0.49%M1.22%

SIC Data

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

    sic codenumber of companiesuk companies
    None Supplied662265,608
    70229 - Management consultancy activities other than financial management16542,290
    62020 - Information technology consultancy activities14030,178
    82990 - Other business support service activities not elsewhere classified8558,068
    99999 - Dormant Company8548,509
    96090 - Other service activities not elsewhere classified8129,009
    47990 - Other retail sale not in stores, stalls or markets446,452
    86900 - Other human health activities4312,976
    62090 - Other information technology service activities4212,837
    74990 - Non-trading company3913,984
    41202 - Construction of domestic buildings357,559
    68209 - Other letting and operating of own or leased real estate3411,212
    41100 - Development of building projects3011,397
    62012 - Business and domestic software development299,752
    69201 - Accounting and auditing activities297,528
    74909 - Other professional, scientific and technical activities not elsewhere classified2919,049
    43390 - Other building completion and finishing255,931
    70221 - Financial management243,608
    86101 - Hospital activities234,366
    56290 - Other food services224,616

Recent Companies

  1. Randomly selected companies from this quarter

    COMPANY NUMBERCOMPANY NAMEINCORPORATION DATE
    OC395799 CROWN STUDENTS LLP 10 Oct 2014
    09245140 CHARLES SPENCER LTD 02 Oct 2014
    09245590 HESTER CONSTRUCTION SERVICES LIMITED 02 Oct 2014
    09250345 PINKS MAKE UP LTD 06 Oct 2014
    09256461 BIZZREQ LIMITED 09 Oct 2014
    09256886 DATA SYNTAX LIMITED 09 Oct 2014
    09256981 KRATOS PRIME SOLUTIONS LTD 09 Oct 2014
    09261345 PATON PLUMBING LIMITED 13 Oct 2014
    09262453 EJT SOLUTIONS LIMITED 14 Oct 2014
    09266593 NINE DEVELOPMENT JV LIMITED 16 Oct 2014
    09269545 QUANT FINANCIAL SERVICES LTD 17 Oct 2014
    09270839 MAKSONS FORECOURTS LTD 20 Oct 2014
    09280135 VSAM CAPITAL LIMITED 24 Oct 2014
    09280431 AASK (UK) LIMITED 27 Oct 2014
    09282238 SMILING HOUSE UK LIMITED 27 Oct 2014
    09282719 SPECIAL ONE FILMS LIMITED 27 Oct 2014
    09284336 BUSHELL LIMITED 28 Oct 2014
    09285593 CSA COURIERS LTD 29 Oct 2014
    09286597 BUTA HOSPITALITY & LEISURE LIMITED 29 Oct 2014
    09252887 MEDCO SMART LIMITED 07 Oct 2014
    09254855 MCR CONSULTING SOLUTIONS LIMITED 08 Oct 2014
    09259219 IFIX DEVICES LIMITED 10 Oct 2014
    09264229 THINKOVATION LTD 15 Oct 2014
    09266066 CEDARWAY PHARMA LIMITED 15 Oct 2014
    09268174 MASOOD GEM & JEWELLERY LIMITED 16 Oct 2014