11,866 active companies are based in Exeter according to Companies House records. Out of 14,052 companies ever registered here, 1,131 are no longer active — a 84% survival rate. Business formation remains steady, with 49.8% of current companies established since 2020. Over half (58%) of active companies were formed since 2020, making this one of the UK's fastest-growing business locations. The most common industry sector is other letting and operating of own or leased real estate, with 1,065 companies. The area hosts 124 large enterprises, 164 small firms. Exeter is home to 254 FCA-regulated firms and 157 registered charities. Companies here hold 483 government contracts worth £895.5M in total. The average company age is 9.7 years. The earliest company registration in Exeter dates back to 1893.
Source: Companies House register via UVAGATRON, September 2026
A diverse local economy with no single sector accounting for more than 15% of businesses.
The average active company in Exeter is 9.7 years old. There are 254 <Link href="/glossary/fca-financial-conduct-authority">FCA-regulated firms</Link> in the area. 157 registered charities operate locally.
Companies in Exeter have been awarded 483 government contracts with a combined value of £895.5M. See the Top Government Contractors report.
There are 11,866 active companies registered in Exeter, out of 14,052 total. 1,131 (8%) are no longer active.
The top industries in Exeter include Other letting and operating of own or leased real estate (1,065 companies), Residents property management (415 companies), Activities of other holding companies n.e.c. (408 companies).
49.8% of currently active companies in Exeter were incorporated since 2020, indicating strong recent growth.
Our database contains 86,430 data signals across 12 categories for active companies in Exeter. The largest category is Governance with 36,973 signals from 7 sources.
The oldest company registration in Exeter dates back to 1893, spanning over 133 years of business history.