Manchester and Birmingham are similarly sized business centres with 97,200 and 85,421 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.
Manchester has 97,200 active companies compared to 85,421 in Birmingham — 11,779 more.
Manchester has a higher 2020s company formation rate (64.3%) compared to Birmingham (63.7%).
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 letting and operating of own or leased real estate. Manchester is uniquely strong in Business and domestic software development and Dormant Company, while Birmingham stands out in Freight transport by road and Other human health activities.