Companies in Southampton

United Kingdom|52.7% formed since 2020|Data updated 17 Apr 2026
23,069
Active

23,069 active companies are currently registered in Southampton, a major UK business hub. Out of 26,760 companies ever registered here, 75 are no longer active — a 86% survival rate. The area has seen significant recent growth, with 52.7% of active businesses incorporated since 2020. Over half (58%) 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 letting and operating of own or leased real estate, with 1,104 companies. The area hosts 199 large enterprises, 223 small firms. Southampton is home to 491 FCA-regulated firms and 237 registered charities. Companies here hold 815 government contracts worth £2.6B in total. The average company age is 8.7 years. The earliest company registration in Southampton dates back to 1871.

Source: Companies House register via UVAGATRON, April 2026

23,069
Active Companies
26,760
Total Registered
1871
Oldest Company
52.7%
Growth (2020s)

Southampton is a growth hotspot — over half of its active companies were formed since 2020.

Incorporation by Decade
10%
33%
50%
Pre-1990: 786
1990s: 913
2000s: 2,754
2010s: 8,871
2020s: 13,436

Top Industries

Other letting and operating of own or leased real estate1,104→Buying and selling of own real estate900→Residents property management787→Management consultancy activities other than financial management783→Other business support service activities n.e.c.641→Retail sale via mail order houses or via Internet554→Freight transport by road531→Information technology consultancy activities491→Other service activities n.e.c.473→Development of building projects465→

Data Signals

Governance
70,9456 src
Financial
43,92711 src
Compliance
14,55316 src
Risk
9,36310 src
Trade
1,7782 src
quality
1,1485 src
growth
8652 src
ESG
4246 src
operational
2601 src
innovation
2492 src
corporate_structure
281 src
regulatory
41 src

Top Companies in Southampton

NATIONAL OCEANOGRAPHY CENTRE
Other research and experimental development on natural sciences and engineeringEst. 201857 signals
CARNIVAL PLC
Sea and coastal freight water transportEst. 2000104 signals
SOLENT MIND
Other human health activitiesEst. 200032 signals
TRUMPF LASER UK LIMITED
Manufacture of optical precision instrumentsEst. 199690 signals
ORDNANCE SURVEY LIMITED
Other professional, scientific and technical activities n.e.c.Est. 201487 signals
THE SOCIETY OF ST JAMES
Residential care activities for learning difficulties, mental health and substance abuseEst. 199539 signals
DENTAID LIMITED
Manufacture of medical and dental instruments and suppliesEst. 199826 signals
ADAMS-MOREY LIMITED
Sale of other motor vehiclesEst. 195243 signals
ELLIOTT BROTHERS LIMITED
Agents involved in the sale of timber and building materialsEst. 199030 signals
SOUTHAMPTON FOOTBALL CLUB LIMITED
Operation of sports facilitiesEst. 1897100 signals

Business Landscape

The average active company in Southampton is 8.7 years old. There are 491 <Link href="/glossary/fca-financial-conduct-authority">FCA-regulated firms</Link> in the area. 237 registered charities operate locally.

8.7 yrs
Avg company age
491
FCA regulated
237
Charities

Company Size Breakdown

Small: 223 (51%)Medium: 19 (4%)Large: 199 (45%)

Government Investment

Companies in Southampton have been awarded 815 government contracts with a combined value of £2604.7M. See the Top Government Contractors report.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many companies are registered in Southampton?

There are 23,069 active companies registered in Southampton, out of 26,760 total. 75 (0%) are no longer active.

What are the main industries in Southampton?

The top industries in Southampton include Other letting and operating of own or leased real estate (1,104 companies), Buying and selling of own real estate (900 companies), Residents property management (787 companies).

How fast is Southampton growing as a business hub?

52.7% of currently active companies in Southampton were incorporated since 2020, indicating strong recent growth.

What data signals are available for companies in Southampton?

Our database contains 143,544 data signals across 12 categories for active companies in Southampton. The largest category is Governance with 70,945 signals from 6 sources.

When was the first company registered in Southampton?

The oldest company registration in Southampton dates back to 1871, spanning over 155 years of business history.

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