specialised design activities Companies in the UK

SIC 74100Professional, scientific and technical activities|151.8% formed since 2020|Data updated 6 Sept 2026
30,335
Active

30,335 active companies in the UK are classified under specialised design activities (SIC code 74100). This sector falls under Section M — Professional, scientific and technical activities — of the UK Standard Industrial Classification. The sector has a relatively low 7.1% dissolution rate — 30,335 of 35,670 registrations remain active. The sector is experiencing rapid growth, with 151.8% of active businesses incorporated since 2020 — indicating strong recent demand. 104% of companies were formed after 2010, marking this as a sector with predominantly recent entrants. The average company age in this sector is 7.4 years. London leads with 26% of companies in this sector. Companies in this sector hold 337 government contracts valued at £159.2M.

Source: Companies House register via UVAGATRON, September 2026

30,335
Active Companies
M
SIC Section
1935
Oldest Company
151.8%
Growth (2020s)
7.4 yr
Avg Company Age

A rapidly growing sector with 151.8% of active companies formed since 2020.

Incorporation by Decade
36%
54%
Pre-1990: 214
1990s: 602
2000s: 2,776
2010s: 12,589
2020s: 19,111

Data Signals

Governance
92,3956 src
Financial
55,00611 src
Compliance
20,24714 src
Risk
7,26810 src
Trade
3,0662 src
innovation
9162 src
growth
4102 src
quality
2664 src
ESG
1646 src
operational
171 src
corporate_structure
81 src
regulatory
31 src

Sector Overview

The specialised design activities sector has a <Link href="/glossary/company-dissolution">7.1% dissolution rate</Link>. The average active company in this sector is 7.4 years old. Geographic concentration: 26% in LONDON.

7.1%
Dissolution rate
7.4 yrs
Avg company age

Company Size Breakdown

Small: 76 (59%)Medium: 11 (9%)Large: 41 (32%)

Government Activity

Companies in the specialised design activities sector have been awarded 337 government contracts worth £159.2M in total.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many specialised design activities companies are there in the UK?

There are 30,335 active companies classified under SIC code 74100 (specialised design activities) in the UK, out of 35,670 total registered.

What is SIC code 74100?

SIC code 74100 stands for "specialised design activities". It belongs to Section M — Professional, scientific and technical activities of the UK Standard Industrial Classification.

Where are most specialised design activities companies located?

The largest concentrations are in LONDON (7,975), MANCHESTER (426), BRISTOL (425).

What is the average age of specialised design activities companies?

The average active specialised design activities company in the UK is 7.4 years old, with the oldest registration dating back to 1935.

What government data is available for specialised design activities companies?

Our database contains 179,766 data signals across 12 categories for active specialised design activities companies. The largest category is Governance with 92,395 signals from 6 government sources.

Research UK Companies with AI

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