Industries with the Largest Number of Businesses in the UK in 2020

1. Charities in the UK

Number of Businesses for 2020: 169,461

Organisations included in the Charities industry are defined as non-profit organisations with some meaningful degree of voluntary participation and whose aims are in the public benefit. This covers a broad range of charitable objectives, from emergency relief and international aid to arts programmes. Charities derive their income primarily from donations made by individuals and grants received from the public sector or benevolent organisations, meaning economic conditions play a large role in industry revenue growth.Industry revenue is forecast to grow at a compound annual rate of 1% over the five years through 2019-20, to £52.5 billion. However, as donations from the public are the largest source... Learn More

2. Management Consultants in the UK

Number of Businesses for 2020: 169,140

The Management Consultants industry covers a broad range of consulting services, including strategic and organisational planning, marketing, IT, human resource consulting and business process management. Over the five years through 2019-20, industry revenue is expected to grow at a compound annual rate of 2.8%, including growth of 4.5% in the current year, to reach £55.5 billion. This growth is anticipated to be largely driven by rising demand for IT consulting services. In addition, regulatory changes in the financial services sector, the industry’s largest downstream market, have benefited industry participants, as banks and other financial institutions have required assistance to reformulate... Learn More

3. Computer Consultants in the UK

Number of Businesses for 2020: 120,212

The Computer Consultants industry is composed of businesses that provide expert advice and assistance in planning and designing computer systems that integrate computer hardware, software and communication technologies. Computer consultants provide services to clients in all sectors of the economy, although clients within the financial services sector and the public sector are particularly important markets. Demand for industry services is largely influenced by business confidence levels, which rise and fall with general economic conditions, and technological advancements, particularly those that are beneficial to businesses.

The industry has performed well over the past five years and is expected to record strong growth.... Learn More

4. Construction Contractors in the UK

Number of Businesses for 2020: 87,215

Operators in the Construction Contractors industry are active across the building construction and civil engineering markets. While, by broad definition, industry operators are remunerated for completing new building and infrastructure construction contracts, or for fulfilling maintenance, repair, renovation and remodelling contract obligations, the spectrum of services offered by civils and general building contractors in this industry is multifaceted. Some contractors focus almost exclusively on the construction of new dwellings, while civil engineering specialists afford clients services across the infrastructure value chain. Meanwhile, some contractors specialise in commercial building activity, while many independent contractors may focus on small-scale maintenance contracts in local markets.Inclusive of 1.5% growth expected... Learn More

5. Consultant Engineering Services in the UK

Number of Businesses for 2020: 74,102

The Consultant Engineering Services industry's revenue is expected to decline at a compound annual rate of 0.2% over the five years through 2020-21 to £53.9 billion. However, this decline is mainly the result of a 9% fall in revenue in the current year. Depressed business investment and subdued construction activity following the outbreak of COVID-19 (coronavirus) have threatened demand for industry services. Nevertheless, strong infrastructure construction activity, such as electricity and telecommunications infrastructure construction, has supported industry revenue over the period. In addition, government capital spending has increased over the past five years, as highlighted by the approval of a... Learn More

6. Pension Funding in the UK

Number of Businesses for 2020: 55,311

Revenue in the Pension Funding industry, which is calculated by combining contributions and investment returns, has increased over the past five years. The increase in contributions was fuelled by the phased introduction of automatic enrolment in pension schemes, which began in October 2012 and was fully phased in by February 2018. Record high levels of employment increased contributions to occupational pension schemes. Investment income grew over the period, despite some volatility, aided by low interest rates and significant quantitative easing activity. The fall in value of the pound also boosted equity values in 2016-17. Revenue is expected to increase at... Learn More

7. Freight Road Transport in the UK

Number of Businesses for 2020: 53,467

The Freight Road Transport industry operates the most extensive transport network of all freight modes, providing much-needed flexibility and the convenience of door-to-door haulage. The industry has historically offered faster and more reliable delivery times and less damage to goods than other freight methods. According to the latest data from the Department for Transport (DfT), road transport accounted for 77.8% of all goods moved in the United Kingdom in 2017. The industry is highly competitive and fragmented, with only one company, DHL Supply Chain, accounting for a market share greater than 5%.

The industry has encountered mixed conditions over the past... Learn More

8. Cereals, Leguminous Crops & Oilseed Growing in the UK

Number of Businesses for 2020: 47,852

The Cereal, Leguminous Crops and Oilseed Growing industry is part of the agricultural sector and focuses on the growing of: cereal crops such as wheat, barley, oats and grain maize; leguminous crops such as beans, lentils and peas; and oil seeds such as soya beans, rapeseed, linseed and sunflower seed. The growing of rice is not relevant to the industry. Industry produce is used mainly by the food and beverage industry, livestock feed producers and manufacturers of biofuel. Over the five years through 2018-19, industry revenue is expected to contract at a compound annual rate of 2.1%.The industry has struggled over... Learn More

9. Residential Building Construction in the UK

Number of Businesses for 2020: 46,505

The Residential Building Construction industry has performed well over the past five-year period, supported by a range of government policy initiatives intended to stimulate the housing market. During the economic downturn, revenue declined rapidly as tight lending criteria and dwindling equity made it difficult for many people to obtain mortgages and discouraged home improvement. However, demand for housing has since risen as economic conditions have improved, indicative of the procyclical nature of the industry. Sharp house price inflation encouraged spending on renovation and maintenance, while the construction of new properties has only been limited by supply constraints, such as a... Learn More

10. Electricians in the UK

Number of Businesses for 2020: 44,946

Operators in the Electricians industry install new electrical, communications and industrial equipment, and repair and maintain existing systems. Demand for the industry’s services is affected by trends in downstream construction markets. These markets have recovered over the past five years, but prolonged lulls in demand for the industry’s services have resulted in strong price-based competition, weighing on the industry’s performance. However, spending on essential repair services has helped to maintain marginal growth.Demand for new installations remained fairly low prior to the past five-year period, prompting operators to lower their prices in order to attract custom. Improving conditions in downstream construction... Learn More