Leeds and Cardiff are similarly sized business centres with 48,382 and 30,500 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.
Leeds has 48,382 active companies compared to 30,500 in Cardiff — 17,882 more.
Cardiff has a higher 2020s company formation rate (61.5%) 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, Information technology consultancy activities, Management consultancy activities other than financial management, Other business support service activities n.e.c.. Leeds is uniquely strong in Development of building projects and Other human health activities, while Cardiff stands out in Business and domestic software development and Other.