West Midlands

2014 Annual Business Confidence Report

Headlines

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

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 West Midlands when compared to any year in history.

    A total of 26,814 companies were formed in West Midlands in 2014. This total is 15.2% higher than in 2013 and compares favourably to the UK figure of a 10.0% growth compared to 529,363 the previous year.

    YearWest MidlandsUK
    201426,814582,051
    201323,271529,363
    201221,378491,893
    201119,761452,870
    201017,946400,358
    Record Year2014 (26,814)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 West Midlands when compared to any previous second half year.

    In the second half of 2014 a total of 13,251 companies were formed in West Midlands. This figure is 12.5% higher than last year, which compares well to the UK wide figure of 8.2%.

    The highest total for a second half year in West Midlands occurred in 2014 when a total of 13,251 were formed.

    Half Year (Jul-Dec)West MidlandsUK
    201413,251281,320
    201311,774259,931
    % change12.5%8.2%
    Record Year2014 (13,251)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 West Midlands when compared to any previous Q4.

    A total of 6,409 companies were registered in West Midlands during the fourth quarter of 2014 (Oct 2014 - Dec 2014).

    This figure is an increase of 10.3% 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)West MidlandsUK
    20146,409137,906
    20135,812127,247
    % change10.3%8.4%
    Record Year 2014 (6,409) 2014 (137,906)
    New Companies by Quarter
  4. Monthly Data (Oct, Nov & Dec 2014)

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

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

    New Companies by Month
    OctoberNovemberDecember
    New companies in 20142,3022,1721,935
    New companies in 20132,3011,9391,572
    % change0.0%12.0%23.1%
    Record Year2014 (2,302)2006 (2,289)2014 (1,935)

Closed Companies (dissolved)

  1. Annual Data (2014)

    A total of 17,641 companies were dissolved in West Midlands in 2014. This total is 5.9% higher than in 2013 and compares unfavourably to the UK figure of 10.8% growth compared to the previous year.

    YearWest MidlandsUK
    201417,641367,937
    201316,656332,213
    201214,987293,729
    201117,390314,524
    201022,075342,233
    Record Year2009 (28,672)2009 (533,789)
    Dissolved Companies by Year
  2. Half Year Data (Jul-Dec 2014)

    In the second half of 2014 a total of 9,173 companies were dissolved in West Midlands. This figure is 6.0% higher than last year, which compares well to the UK wide change of 7.7%.

    The highest total for a second half year in West Midlands occurred in 2009 when a total of 12,059 were closed.

    Half Year (Jul-Dec)West MidlandsUK
    20149,173190,730
    20138,652177,021
    % change6.0%7.7%
    Record Year2009 (12,059)2009 (244,544)
    Dissolved Companies by Half Year
  3. Quarterly Data (Q4 Oct-Dec 2014)

    A total of 4,368 companies were dissolved in West Midlands during the fourth quarter of 2014 (Oct 2014 - Dec 2014).

    This figure is an increase of 1.3% 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)West MidlandsUK
    20144,36889,060
    20134,31290,851
    % change1.3%-2.0%
    Record Year 2009 (5,253) 2013 (90,851)
    Dissolved Companies by Quarter
  4. Monthly Data (Oct, Nov & Dec 2014)

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

    Dissolved Companies by Month
    OctoberNovemberDecember
    Closed companies in 20141,2281,4081,732
    Closed companies in 20131,6661,3291,317
    % change-26.3%5.9%32%
    Record Year2009 (2,065)2010 (2,274)2014 (1,732)

Net Company Growth

  1. Annual Data (2014)

    A total of 9,173 companies were added to the company register for West Midlands in 2014. This number represents growth of 34.2% in the total number of active companies, which compares unfavourably to the UK figure of 36.8%.

    This number is 2,558 companies higher than the previous year.

    The highest net company growth figure ever seen in one year came in 2006 when the West Midlands company register grew by 16,822 companies.

    YearWest MidlandsUK
    20149,173214,114
    20136,615197,150
    20126,391198,164
    20112,371138,346
    2010-4,12958,125
    Record Year2006 (16,822)2007 (237,353)
    Net Growth by Year
  2. Half Year Data (Jul-Dec 2014)

    In the second half of 2014 the company register for West Midlands increased by 4,078 companies.

    Half Year (Jul-Dec)West MidlandsUK
    20144,07890,590
    20133,12282,910
    Record Year2006 (7,439)2003 (117,772)
    Net Growth by Half Year
  3. Quarterly Data (Q4 Oct-Dec 2014)

    Net company growth for West Midlands during the fourth quarter of 2014 (Oct 2014 - Dec 2014) was 2,041 companies.

    fourth quarter (Oct 2014 - Dec 2014)West MidlandsUK
    20142,04148,846
    20131,50036,396
    Record Year 2006 (3,663) 2012 (49,848)
    Net Growth by Quarter
  4. Monthly Data (Oct, Nov & Dec 2014)

    Net Growth by Month
    OctoberNovemberDecember
    Net growth in 20141,074764203
    Net growth in 2013635610255
    Record Year2006 (1,171)2006 (1,364)2006 (1,128)

UK Company Share

  1. Annual Data (2014)

    In 2014 West Midlands formed 4.6% of all UK companies. This is an improvement on 2013 when West Midlands was responsible for 4.4% of all UK companies.

    YearWest Midlands
    20144.6%
    20134.4%
    20124.3%
    20114.4%
    20104.5%
    Record Year (since 1960)2006 (6.3%)
    Company Share by Year
  2. Half Year Data (Jul-Dec 2014)

    In the second half of 2014 West Midlands formed 4.7% of all UK companies. This is more than the 2013 figure of 4.5%.

    Half Year (Jul-Dec)West Midlands
    20144.7%
    20134.5%
    20124.4%
    20114.4%
    20104.5%
    Record Year (since 1960) 2006 (6.4%)
    Company Share by Half Year
  3. Quarterly Data (Q4 Oct-Dec 2014)

    In the fourth quarter of 2014, West Midlands formed 4.6% of all UK companies.

    fourth quarter (Oct 2014 - Dec 2014)West Midlands
    20144.6%
    20134.6%
    20124.3%
    20114.3%
    20104.5%
    Record Year (since 1960) 2006 (6.4%)
    Company Share by Quarter
  4. Monthly Data (Oct, Nov & Dec 2014)

    Company Share by Month
    OctoberNovemberDecember
    UK formation share in 20144.4%4.8%4.8%
    UK formation share in 20134.6%4.5%4.5%
    % change-4.8%6.4%5.3%
    Record Year2006 (5.9%)2006 (6.8%)2005 (6.8%)

Director Age

  1. Annual Data (2014)

    The average age of a director in 2014 was 42.3.

    The percentage of directors under the age of 25 was 3.2% compared to the UK figure of 4.0%.

    The percentage of directors over the age of 65 was 5.1% 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 2.9% compared to the UK figure of 3.7%.

    The percentage of directors over the age of 65 was 5.8% 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 41.9.

    The percentage of directors under the age of 25 was 3.0% compared to the UK figure of 3.8%.

    The percentage of directors over the age of 65 was 5.9% 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 West Midlands was 1991 when 30.4% of all directors were female.

    The percentage of female directors in West Midlands in 2014 was 24.7%. 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 West Midlands was 2012 when 24.6% of all directors were female.

    23.6% of all director appointments in West Midlands 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 West Midlands was in 2013 when 24.8% of all directors were female.

    23.3% of all director appointments in West Midlands 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
    CO.,3.00%CONSULTING5.22%
    MANAGEMENT2.36%MANAGEMENT4.58%
    CONSULTING1.71%CONSULTANCY3.57%
    CARE1.70%PROPERTY2.66%
    CONSULTANCY1.66%CONSTRUCTION2.12%
    TRANSPORT1.45%ENGINEERING2.10%
    TRADING1.36%CARE2.02%
    PROPERTY1.25%TRADING1.94%
    J1.14%LONDON1.93%
    CONSTRUCTION1.06%TRANSPORT1.93%
    M1.01%DESIGN1.66%
    S0.99%CONSULTANTS1.64%
    ELECTRICAL0.92%ELECTRICAL1.62%
    MIDLANDS0.86%PROPERTIES1.62%
    ENGINEERING0.84%BUSINESS1.56%
    INTERNATIONAL0.83%J1.54%
    PROPERTIES0.82%CO.,1.50%
    BUSINESS0.82%GLOBAL1.49%
    D0.77%INVESTMENTS1.48%
    R0.76%ASSOCIATES1.47%
    GROUP0.75%DEVELOPMENTS1.35%
    GLOBAL0.74%MEDIA1.33%
    CONSULTANTS0.71%IT1.31%
    MEDICAL0.70%BUILDING1.29%
    DESIGN0.70%M1.22%

SIC Data

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

    sic codenumber of companiesuk companies
    None Supplied13,125265,608
    82990 - Other business support service activities not elsewhere classified2,55258,068
    99999 - Dormant Company2,29648,509
    70229 - Management consultancy activities other than financial management1,26642,290
    96090 - Other service activities not elsewhere classified1,05129,009
    62020 - Information technology consultancy activities1,01830,178
    56103 - Take-away food shops and mobile food stands9908,318
    86900 - Other human health activities73712,976
    49410 - Freight transport by road73210,842
    74909 - Other professional, scientific and technical activities not elsewhere classified56119,049
    56101 - Licensed restaurants5138,782
    47910 - Retail sale via mail order houses or via Internet50210,107
    62090 - Other information technology service activities47612,837
    68209 - Other letting and operating of own or leased real estate46011,212
    74990 - Non-trading company43413,984
    41100 - Development of building projects38111,397
    86210 - General medical practice activities3194,591
    47110 - Retail sale in non-specialised stores with food, beverages or tobacco predominating3174,167
    47990 - Other retail sale not in stores, stalls or markets3136,452
    43999 - Other specialised construction activities not elsewhere classified3028,761

Recent Companies

  1. Randomly selected companies from this quarter

    COMPANY NUMBERCOMPANY NAMEINCORPORATION DATE
    09342649 MIDLANDS COMMUNICATIONS AGENCY LTD 05 Dec 2014
    09346472 IKON ANDERTON LIMITED 09 Dec 2014
    09346575 IKON (HOLDINGS) LIMITED 09 Dec 2014
    09349556 ROMAN COLLECTIONS LIMITED 10 Dec 2014
    09350174 WASH UR WHEELIE LTD 11 Dec 2014
    OC397161 SYNERGIDESIGN MIDLANDS LLP 17 Dec 2014
    09363548 ADB DEVELOPMENTS STRETFORD LIMITED 22 Dec 2014
    09370252 BENE 4 TE LTD 30 Dec 2014
    09370821 DFG ACCOUNTING LTD 31 Dec 2014
    09335623 BAMBOO GROVE HEALTH LTD 01 Dec 2014
    09339366 J CLASSIC LIMITED 03 Dec 2014
    09339379 H CLASSIC LIMITED 03 Dec 2014
    09339687 HASTINGDEN LIMITED 03 Dec 2014
    09342356 U CLASSIC LIMITED 05 Dec 2014
    09342383 C 688 LIMITED 05 Dec 2014
    09342394 Y CLASSIC LIMITED 05 Dec 2014
    09342443 E 688 LIMITED 05 Dec 2014
    09342466 B 688 LIMITED 05 Dec 2014
    09345818 H 688 LIMITED 08 Dec 2014
    09345878 J 688 LIMITED 08 Dec 2014
    09345943 G 688 LIMITED 08 Dec 2014
    09346066 L 688 LIMITED 08 Dec 2014
    09353455 BROADSFIELD LIMITED 12 Dec 2014
    09359257 LEADON COURT STORAGE LIMITED 17 Dec 2014
    09363821 G. LIONS COMPANY LIMITED 22 Dec 2014