Leeds and Cardiff are similarly sized business centres with 47,811 and 27,021 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 47,811 active companies compared to 27,021 in Cardiff — 20,790 more.
Cardiff has a higher 2020s company formation rate (57.7%) 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, 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.