Companies in Guildford

United Kingdom|43% formed since 2020|Data updated 17 Apr 2026
8,131
Active

8,131 active companies are based in Guildford according to Companies House records. Out of 8,877 companies ever registered here, 11 are no longer active — a 92% survival rate. Business formation remains steady, with 43% of current companies established since 2020. A wave of registrations in the 2010s accounts for 39% of active companies, pointing to a decade of strong entrepreneurial activity. The most common industry sector is management consultancy activities other than financial management, with 563 companies. The area hosts 163 large enterprises, 170 small firms. Guildford is home to 136 FCA-regulated firms and 106 registered charities. Companies here hold 579 government contracts worth £1.4B in total. The average company age is 10.6 years. The earliest company registration in Guildford dates back to 1887.

Source: Companies House register via UVAGATRON, April 2026

8,131
Active Companies
8,877
Total Registered
1887
Oldest Company
43%
Growth (2020s)

A diverse local economy with no single sector accounting for more than 15% of businesses.

Incorporation by Decade
13%
36%
43%
Pre-1990: 384
1990s: 393
2000s: 1,119
2010s: 3,191
2020s: 3,790

Top Industries

Management consultancy activities other than financial management563→Other letting and operating of own or leased real estate346→Other business support service activities n.e.c.310→Residents property management308→Buying and selling of own real estate304→Information technology consultancy activities252→Development of building projects202→Business and domestic software development183→Activities of other holding companies n.e.c.182→Dormant Company179→

Data Signals

Governance
25,5005 src
Financial
16,74611 src
Compliance
5,93415 src
Risk
4,00510 src
Trade
8362 src
growth
6012 src
quality
3035 src
ESG
1616 src
innovation
1572 src
operational
531 src
corporate_structure
341 src
regulatory
21 src

Top Companies in Guildford

LGC LIMITED
Other professional, scientific and technical activities n.e.c.Est. 1994113 signals
SURREY SATELLITE TECHNOLOGY LIMITED
Manufacture of electronic componentsEst. 198596 signals
DISABILITY CHALLENGERS
Social work activities without accommodation for the elderly and disabledEst. 200126 signals
WHIPLEY MANOR FARM LIMITED
Growing of cereals (except rice), leguminous crops and oil seedsEst. 193925 signals
CYCLISTS TOURING CLUB.
Activities of other membership organizations n.e.c.Est. 188724 signals
ELECTRONIC ARTS LIMITED
Other software publishingEst. 198692 signals
GUILDFORD DIOCESAN BOARD OF FINANCE(THE)
Activities of religious organizationsEst. 192727 signals
SAFEGUARD COACHES LIMITED
Other urban, suburban or metropolitan passenger land transport (not underground, metro or similar)Est. 193321 signals
BAE SYSTEMS APPLIED INTELLIGENCE LIMITED
Information technology consultancy activitiesEst. 1977183 signals
LGC GENOMICS LIMITED
Research and experimental development on biotechnologyEst. 201180 signals

Business Landscape

The average active company in Guildford is 10.6 years old. There are 136 <Link href="/glossary/fca-financial-conduct-authority">FCA-regulated firms</Link> in the area. 106 registered charities operate locally.

10.6 yrs
Avg company age
136
FCA regulated
106
Charities

Company Size Breakdown

Small: 170 (50%)Medium: 7 (2%)Large: 163 (48%)

Government Investment

Companies in Guildford have been awarded 579 government contracts with a combined value of £1379.0M. See the Top Government Contractors report.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many companies are registered in Guildford?

There are 8,131 active companies registered in Guildford, out of 8,877 total. 11 (0%) are no longer active.

What are the main industries in Guildford?

The top industries in Guildford include Management consultancy activities other than financial management (563 companies), Other letting and operating of own or leased real estate (346 companies), Other business support service activities n.e.c. (310 companies).

How fast is Guildford growing as a business hub?

43% of currently active companies in Guildford were incorporated since 2020, indicating strong recent growth.

What data signals are available for companies in Guildford?

Our database contains 54,332 data signals across 12 categories for active companies in Guildford. The largest category is Governance with 25,500 signals from 5 sources.

When was the first company registered in Guildford?

The oldest company registration in Guildford dates back to 1887, spanning over 139 years of business history.

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