This document analyzes data on small and medium enterprises in the UK from 2000 to 2015. It finds that the total number of businesses grew from 3.4 million to 5.4 million, a 55% increase. Most of this growth came from sole proprietorships, which increased by over 1.5 million. Regionally, England saw the largest growth in new businesses at nearly 400,000, though its percentage increase was only 10% due to its larger size initially. The document also provides an introduction to Innovation for Growth, a business consultancy that works with small and medium enterprises.

1. Small and Medium Sized
Enterprises 2000 to 2015
Some Facts and Figures
C W Mobbs
October 2015

2. Introduction
• For the purposes of this analysis, small and medium sized
enterprises are defined as those with less than 250 employees
(large enterprises have 250+)
• Small enterprises have less than 50 employees; medium ones
between 50 and 249
• An enterprise is defined as a profit, non-profit or government
organisation
Data Source: Department for Business Innovation and Skills ‘Business Population Estimate for the UK and
Regions, 2015”, unless otherwise stated.

3. Growth in Total Businesses
The total number of businesses has grown from 3,467,200 to 5,389,500
over the period. This is an increase of 1,922,300 or 55%

4. Breakdown by Employees (1)
This expansion in number of businesses is predominantly
in single director/sole proprietorship firms – 1,497,500 to
3,037,300, an increase of 1,539,800 – 103%.

5. Breakdown by Employees (2)
Number of Employees Increase/Decrease (2000 to 2015)
All Businesses 1,922,300
0 1,539,800
1-9 154,600
10-49 40,600
50-249 5,800
250-499 100
500 or more -300

6. Breakdown by Employees (3)

7. Breakdown by Employees (4)
And viewed differently, with year 2000 = index 100

8. Business Growth - Region (1)

9. Business Growth - Region (2)

10. Business Growth – Region (3)
• Of the four countries within the UK, England saw the greatest increase in
number of new businesses (399,400). However, due to its already large base,
the increase was only 10%.Wales, with its much lower base saw an increase of
9%, gaining only 18,200 new businesses.
• Scotland only gained 3,500 new businesses, a percentage increase of 1%.
• Within the English regions, London saw the greatest rise in businesses
(113,500) an increase of 14%.The NorthWest saw the greatest percentage
change – up 16% (69,700 new businesses).
• The East Midlands only gained 41,300 new businesses, an increase of 2%.

11. About Innovation for
Growth
Founded in 2010, Innovation for Growth is a business consultancy firm that
specialises in the provision of advice to small and medium sized enterprises.We
work with companies from all sectors undertaking:
innovation audits, innovation advice and the provision of strategy advice so our
clients can maximise their business capabilities and achieve their growth
aspirations.
We also undertake desktop, business research and analysis, enabling our clients
to concentrate on running their business.
For more on our services, please see our website:
www.innovationforgrowth.co.uk
© 2015 Innovation for Growth