Birmingham and Leeds are similarly sized business centres with 85,456 and 47,811 active companies respectively. This close match makes their industry mix, growth trajectory, and formation history all the more interesting to compare. Both cities share strength in Activities of other holding companies n.e.c. and Buying and selling of own real estate.
Birmingham has 85,456 active companies compared to 47,811 in Leeds — 37,645 more.
Birmingham has a higher 2020s company formation rate (63.7%) compared to Leeds (56.0%).
Both cities share these top industries: Activities of other holding companies n.e.c., Buying and selling of own real estate, Management consultancy activities other than financial management, Other business support service activities n.e.c., Other human health activities. Birmingham is uniquely strong in Freight transport by road and Other service activities n.e.c., while Leeds stands out in Development of building projects and Information technology consultancy activities.