Companies in Greater Manchester

United Kingdom|40.2% formed since 2020|Data updated 17 Apr 2026
373
Active

373 active companies are registered in Greater Manchester with Companies House. Out of 973 companies ever registered here, 4 are no longer active — a 38% survival rate. Business formation remains steady, with 40.2% of current companies established since 2020. Over half (65%) of active companies were formed since 2020, making this one of the UK's fastest-growing business locations. The most common industry sector is other business support service activities n.e.c., with 22 companies. Companies here hold 11 government contracts worth £0.7M in total. The average company age is 14.8 years. The earliest company registration in Greater Manchester dates back to 1869.

Source: Companies House register via UVAGATRON, April 2026

373
Active Companies
973
Total Registered
1869
Oldest Company
40.2%
Growth (2020s)

An established business centre with companies averaging 14.8 years of operation.

Incorporation by Decade
9%
25%
35%
25%
Pre-1990: 83
1990s: 61
2000s: 241
2010s: 345
2020s: 243

Data Signals

Governance
1,2255 src
Financial
1,0099 src
Compliance
37412 src
Risk
2316 src
Trade
531 src
ESG
363 src
quality
213 src
innovation
132 src
growth
111 src
corporate_structure
81 src
operational
71 src

Business Landscape

The average active company in Greater Manchester is 14.8 years old. There are 9 <Link href="/glossary/fca-financial-conduct-authority">FCA-regulated firms</Link> in the area. 9 registered charities operate locally.

14.8 yrs
Avg company age
9
FCA regulated
9
Charities

Company Size Breakdown

Small: 5 (15%)Large: 29 (85%)

Government Investment

Companies in Greater Manchester have been awarded 11 government contracts with a combined value of £0.7M. See the Top Government Contractors report.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many companies are registered in Greater Manchester?

There are 373 active companies registered in Greater Manchester, out of 973 total. 4 (0%) are no longer active.

What are the main industries in Greater Manchester?

The top industries in Greater Manchester include Other business support service activities n.e.c. (22 companies), Buying and selling of own real estate (16 companies), Other letting and operating of own or leased real estate (14 companies).

How fast is Greater Manchester growing as a business hub?

40.2% of currently active companies in Greater Manchester were incorporated since 2020, indicating strong recent growth.

What data signals are available for companies in Greater Manchester?

Our database contains 2,988 data signals across 11 categories for active companies in Greater Manchester. The largest category is Governance with 1,225 signals from 5 sources.

When was the first company registered in Greater Manchester?

The oldest company registration in Greater Manchester dates back to 1869, spanning over 157 years of business history.

Data is updated daily from official UK government sources including Companies House. Information is provided for reference only.