Companies in Cardiff

United Kingdom|61.3% formed since 2020|27% inactive|Data updated 6 Sept 2026
30,291
Active

30,291 active companies are currently registered in Cardiff, a major UK business hub. Out of 85,649 companies ever registered here, 22,900 are no longer active — a 35% survival rate. The area has seen significant recent growth, with 61.3% of active businesses incorporated since 2020. Over half (187%) of active companies were formed since 2020, making this one of the UK's fastest-growing business locations. The most common industry sector is retail sale via mail order houses or via internet, with 1,824 companies. The area hosts 312 large enterprises, 294 small firms. Cardiff is home to 569 FCA-regulated firms and 312 registered charities. Companies here hold 496 government contracts worth £451.6M in total. The average company age is 7.2 years. The earliest company registration in Cardiff dates back to 1881.

Source: Companies House register via UVAGATRON, September 2026

30,291
Active Companies
85,649
Total Registered
1881
Oldest Company
61.3%
Growth (2020s)

Cardiff is a growth hotspot — over half of its active companies were formed since 2020.

Incorporation by Decade
27%
67%
Pre-1990: 1,009
1990s: 881
2000s: 3,473
2010s: 22,931
2020s: 56,688

Top Industries

Retail sale via mail order houses or via Internet1,824→Other letting and operating of own or leased real estate1,621→Buying and selling of own real estate1,435→Management consultancy activities other than financial management956→Other business support service activities n.e.c.828→Business and domestic software development693→Activities of other holding companies n.e.c.675→Residents property management673→Information technology consultancy activities643→Other595→

Data Signals

Governance
91,1056 src
Financial
54,20311 src
Risk
22,45510 src
Compliance
18,14519 src
quality
2,4404 src
Trade
1,3532 src
innovation
8452 src
ESG
8176 src
growth
5802 src
operational
1951 src
corporate_structure
551 src
regulatory
121 src

Top Companies in Cardiff

VICTIM SUPPORT
Other social work activities without accommodation n.e.c.Est. 1987400 signals
DWR CYMRU CYFYNGEDIG
Water collection, treatment and supplyEst. 1989100 signals
TENOVUS CANCER CARE
Other human health activitiesEst. 196831 signals
WALES MILLENNIUM CENTRE
Operation of arts facilitiesEst. 199689 signals
SHAW HEALTHCARE (GROUP) LIMITED
Residential nursing care facilitiesEst. 2005125 signals
ORANGEBOX LIMITED
Manufacture of office and shop furnitureEst. 199792 signals
CATSCI LTD
Other research and experimental development on natural sciences and engineeringEst. 201041 signals
INNOVATE TRUST LTD
Other residential care activities n.e.c.Est. 199034 signals
KALEIDOSCOPE PROJECT
Other social work activities without accommodation n.e.c.Est. 200529 signals
EUI LIMITED
Life insuranceEst. 199296 signals

Business Landscape

The average active company in Cardiff is 7.2 years old. There are 569 <Link href="/glossary/fca-financial-conduct-authority">FCA-regulated firms</Link> in the area. 312 registered charities operate locally.

7.2 yrs
Avg company age
569
FCA regulated
312
Charities

Company Size Breakdown

Small: 294 (46%)Medium: 33 (5%)Large: 312 (49%)

Government Investment

Companies in Cardiff have been awarded 496 government contracts with a combined value of £451.6M. See the Top Government Contractors report.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many companies are registered in Cardiff?

There are 30,291 active companies registered in Cardiff, out of 85,649 total. 22,900 (27%) are no longer active.

What are the main industries in Cardiff?

The top industries in Cardiff include Retail sale via mail order houses or via Internet (1,824 companies), Other letting and operating of own or leased real estate (1,621 companies), Buying and selling of own real estate (1,435 companies).

How fast is Cardiff growing as a business hub?

61.3% of currently active companies in Cardiff were incorporated since 2020, indicating strong recent growth.

What data signals are available for companies in Cardiff?

Our database contains 192,205 data signals across 12 categories for active companies in Cardiff. The largest category is Governance with 91,105 signals from 6 sources.

When was the first company registered in Cardiff?

The oldest company registration in Cardiff dates back to 1881, spanning over 145 years of business history.

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