Industries with Largest Number of Businesses in United Kingdom in 2026

• 1. Management Consultants in the UK

  Number of Businesses for 2026: 180,354

  In recent years, management consultants have been reaping the rewards of swelling demand for IT consulting services. While expanding business activity and spending has fuelled management consultants’ revenue during upbeat economic conditions, the provision of countercyclical services has supported revenue during periods of economic instability. They’ve also benefitted from regulatory changes, as businesses have required help to fine-tune their strategies and operations following Brexit and re...

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• 2. Charities in the UK

  Number of Businesses for 2026: 170,246

  Industry revenue is expected to contract at a compound annual rate of 1.7% over the five years through 2024-25 to £61.8 billion. Industry growth has been constrained by falling funding from the EU because of Brexit, with the UK Shared Prospensity Fund not plugging enough of the whole. High-profile scandals have prevented major players from claiming government funding and reduced support from the public. In combination with public funding cuts, demand for social services has risen. Cuts to ove...

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• 3. Business Process Outsourcing Services in the UK

  Number of Businesses for 2026: 166,576

  Business process outsourcing (BPO) companies provide services to clients in all sectors of the economy, with the financial services and public sectors being particularly important markets. Expanding IT adoption and government expenditure have incentivised businesses to invest more heavily in IT systems and upgrades, supporting demand for BPO services. Industry revenue is expected to contract at a compound annual rate of 3% over the five years through 2024-25 to £73.4 billion, including estima...

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• 4. Computer Consultants in the UK

  Number of Businesses for 2026: 126,555

  The Computer Consultants industry’s revenue has experienced continued positive growth as technological developments create high demand for their expertise and services. This growth was extreme as workplace operations shifted to become even more digital during the pandemic. In recent years, the industry has faced increasing obstacles due to a highly competitive market, talent shortages and low business confidence caused by an uncertain economic environment cited frequently by consultants as fe...

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• 5. Construction Contractors in the UK

  Number of Businesses for 2026: 97,084

  Construction contractors are active across building construction and civil engineering markets. Despite being remunerated for completing new building and infrastructure construction contracts or 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 on new dwellings construction, while civil engineering specialists afford clients servic...

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• 6. Residential Building Construction in the UK

  Number of Businesses for 2026: 57,176

  Residential building contractors are contingent on the propensity of property developers to invest in new ventures; movements in property prices; government schemes intended to boost the housing supply; and underlying sentiment in the housing market. Industry contractors have endured turbulent operating conditions over the past five years, leading to volatile shifts in revenue and profitability. Revenue is forecast to grow at a compound annual rate of 1% over the five years through 2024-25, r...

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• 7. Consultant Engineering Services in the UK

  Number of Businesses for 2026: 55,491

  Over the five years through 2024-25, revenue is projected to dip at a compound annual rate of 0.5% to £69.8 billion, including an anticipated growth of 1.5% in 2024-25. However, this is mainly the result of a sharp drop in revenue in 2020-21, as consultant engineering demand slumped amid depressed business investment and subdued construction activity during COVID-19. Nevertheless, vigorous infrastructure construction activity, including electricity and telecommunications infrastructure constr...

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• 8. Pension Funding in the UK

  Number of Businesses for 2026: 55,316

  Pension funds are undergoing a period of change. The past decade has marked a shift from defined benefit (DB) to defined contribution (DC) schemes dominating the industry, due to the financial burden DB schemes place on employers. Growing longevity risk, stemming from rising life expectancy has also been a contributing factor. Revenue is expected to fall by 8.5% over the five years through 2024-25 to £125 billion, including estimated growth of 3.1% in 2024-25, while the average industry profi...

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• 9. Freight Road Transport in the UK

  Number of Businesses for 2026: 53,634

  Revenue is expected to creep upwards at a compound annual rate of 0.1% over the five years through 2024-25 to £39.3 billion. 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 performance of the road haulage industry is influenced by demand from key downstream markets. Therefore, unprecedented global disruptions, like economic downturns, which affect producti...

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• 10. Hairdressing & Beauty Treatment in the UK

  Number of Businesses for 2026: 52,178

  The Hairdressing and Beauty Treatment industry is transforming thanks to social media, technology and increasing diversity. Social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook and TikTok are supporting the growth of small businesses and independent stylists by enabling cost-effective marketing and direct client engagement. While this is driving up revenue, it’s also heightening competition, placing pressure on larger salons. Meanwhile, technology adoption is transforming operations, with systems ...

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