Companies in Hertford

United Kingdom|43.1% formed since 2020|Data updated 17 Apr 2026
3,986
Active

3,986 active companies are registered in Hertford with Companies House. Out of 4,544 companies ever registered here, 10 are no longer active — a 88% survival rate. Business formation remains steady, with 43.1% of current companies established since 2020. A wave of registrations in the 2010s accounts for 41% of active companies, pointing to a decade of strong entrepreneurial activity. The most common industry sector is other business support service activities n.e.c., with 286 companies. Hertford is home to 96 FCA-regulated firms and 32 registered charities. Companies here hold 121 government contracts worth £180.7M in total. The average company age is 10.7 years. The earliest company registration in Hertford dates back to 1902.

Source: Companies House register via UVAGATRON, April 2026

3,986
Active Companies
4,544
Total Registered
1902
Oldest Company
43.1%
Growth (2020s)

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

Incorporation by Decade
14%
36%
42%
Pre-1990: 176
1990s: 221
2000s: 621
2010s: 1,627
2020s: 1,899

Data Signals

Governance
12,6315 src
Financial
7,8559 src
Compliance
2,64314 src
Risk
1,6499 src
Trade
3862 src
growth
1332 src
quality
1205 src
ESG
425 src
operational
411 src
innovation
162 src
corporate_structure
41 src

Business Landscape

The average active company in Hertford is 10.7 years old. There are 96 <Link href="/glossary/fca-financial-conduct-authority">FCA-regulated firms</Link> in the area. 32 registered charities operate locally.

10.7 yrs
Avg company age
96
FCA regulated
32
Charities

Company Size Breakdown

Small: 36 (55%)Medium: 7 (11%)Large: 23 (35%)

Government Investment

Companies in Hertford have been awarded 121 government contracts with a combined value of £180.7M. See the Top Government Contractors report.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many companies are registered in Hertford?

There are 3,986 active companies registered in Hertford, out of 4,544 total. 10 (0%) are no longer active.

What are the main industries in Hertford?

The top industries in Hertford include Other business support service activities n.e.c. (286 companies), Residents property management (284 companies), Management consultancy activities other than financial management (229 companies).

How fast is Hertford growing as a business hub?

43.1% of currently active companies in Hertford were incorporated since 2020, indicating strong recent growth.

What data signals are available for companies in Hertford?

Our database contains 25,520 data signals across 11 categories for active companies in Hertford. The largest category is Governance with 12,631 signals from 5 sources.

When was the first company registered in Hertford?

The oldest company registration in Hertford dates back to 1902, spanning over 124 years of business history.

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