April is all about fresh starts! It’s not just the month of spring and April Fools’ Day, but also a time when many UK businesses review their plans and set new goals for the year.
The financial year just ended in April, making it the perfect moment to reflect on the past, make changes, and prepare for the future.
We’re excited to share DataGardener’s April 2025 UK Business Insights Report. This report highlights key trends, facts, and statistics from April, offering a snapshot of how businesses are performing and what’s changing in the market. A lot can happen in just 30 days!
Business Overview Snapshot – April 2025
April saw a significant amount of activity across the UK business landscape. Here’s a quick look at the key stats from the month:
These numbers reflect a dynamic and fast-moving start to the financial year, with signs of growth and challenges ahead.
Business Start-ups & Closures
Business Incorporated
In April 2025, more than 60k new companies were registered across the UK, a noticeable decline from 75k+ in March. Despite the month-on-month dip of around 20%, the numbers still reflect strong entrepreneurial momentum.
This wave of new formations aligns with the start of the new financial year, when many individuals and businesses choose to launch fresh ventures, revisit business goals, and respond to new market opportunities.
The figures suggest that while incorporation activity cooled slightly compared to March, entrepreneurial confidence remains steady, with thousands of new businesses laying foundations for future growth.
Company Dissolutions on the Rise
However, not all businesses are growing. 81k+ companies were dissolved in April, a sharp rise from 61k+ dissolutions in March. This represents a 32% increase in company closures.
Why this jump? Many businesses opt to close or dissolve their companies at the end of the financial year due to reasons like restructuring, market conditions, or financial reviews. It’s a regular cycle, but this uptick may signal greater challenges for some sectors.
How Many Businesses Were Incorporated in the UK?
April 2025 vs March 2025
In April 2025, 60k+ new companies were incorporated, marking a decrease of 11.46% compared to March 2025, when 75k+ companies were registered.
Regional Distribution
The regional distribution of companies across the UK presents a diverse economic landscape. London stands out as the commercial heart, hosting 46K+ companies, 33.16% of the total. This is a significant lead over other regions, reflecting London’s status as a business hub.
The South East also plays a significant role, with 14K+ companies making up 10.16% of the total, indicating a substantial economic presence.
On the lower end, Wales and Northern Ireland have the smallest numbers, with 2K+ (2.06%) and 1.9K+ (1.42%) companies, pointing to a more modest business density in these areas.
New Companies Registered in April 2025
Industrial Distribution
Top 10 Highest Registered Industries in April 2025
The analysis of the Standard Industrial Classification reveals a diverse array of industries, each contributing to the overall landscape of the company registered.
The Wholesale/Retail Trade sector leads with 18.91% of registered companies, followed by Real Estate Activities and Professional, Scientific, and Technical Activities, both of which account for over 9-10% of registered companies.
Construction and Information/Communication also have a notable share, each around 7-8%.
This data suggests that these sectors are more likely to register companies due to their operational scale and regulations, providing critical insights for risk management and market opportunity identification.
Risk Assessment of Companies Incorporated
March 2025 to April 2025
The assessment of company risk profiles reveals a varied landscape within the region’s business sector.
In the business risk landscape, most companies are positioned in the moderate-risk category, with 98.75% demonstrating a balanced approach to risk management. This significant proportion indicates a preference for stability and calculated risk-taking in business operations.
Very high-risk entities comprise 1.03%, while high-risk companies constitute 0.21%. These figures represent businesses that may engage in high-stakes ventures, necessitating sophisticated risk mitigation strategies.
On the safer end of the spectrum, very low-risk companies account for a mere 0.01%, reflecting a cautious stance in the market.
The distribution of risk underscores the importance of tailored risk management practices for effectively navigating the complexities of the business world.
Private Sector Business Data Overview
April 2025 vs March 2025
In April 2025, the UK’s private sector saw 59k+ new company incorporations, marking an 11.66% decrease compared to 74k+ new businesses in March 2025. While there was a decline, the number still reflects solid business activity, indicating that the private sector remains resilient.
Regional Distribution of Private Sector Companies Incorporated
The regional distribution of new business incorporations reveals interesting trends across the UK. Here’s how the numbers compare:
Key Regional Insights
- London continues to dominate, accounting for 33.77% of all new company registrations in April, slightly higher than 32.84% in March. This shows the capital remains a hub for business formation.
- North West (10.41%) and South East (9.98%) follow closely behind, maintaining stable growth compared to last month.
- West Midlands (8.16%) and East of England (7.73%) continue to show steady performance, while Yorkshire and The Humber and East Midlands experienced slight declines in new incorporations.
- The Others category covers regions outside the main areas listed, making up 15.81% of new companies in April, nearly identical to 15.82% in March.
Top SIC Industry Classifications of Newly Incorporated in the Private Sector
The table below provides an overview of the private sector industries leading business incorporations across the UK in April 2025:
Industry Insights
April 2025 saw Wholesale & Retail Trade lead the way with 19.17% of new business incorporations, followed by Professional, Scientific & Technical Activities at 9.56% and Real Estate Activities at 9.43%. While these sectors remained strong, both Professional Services and Real Estate declined from March 2025.
Key sectors like Construction (7.95%) and Information & Communication (7.77%) continued stabilising, indicating robust demand for infrastructure and digital solutions.
The Accommodation and food Service industry held steady at 7.06% despite slight month-on-month changes. Meanwhile, Financial and insurance Activities saw a decline, falling to 3.47% from 4.04% in March, possibly reflecting broader market trends.
The data points to continued strength in consumer-facing and service-driven industries, showcasing resilience and adaptation within the UK’s private sector.
Comparative Data
Charges Registered April 2025 vs March 2025
In April 2025, 11K+ outstanding charges were registered, decreasing from the 14K+ charges registered in March 2025.
Regional Distribution
County Court Judgements (CCJs) Filed in April 2025 Vs March 2025
In April 2025, 12K+ CCJs were filed, which is lower than the 13K+ CCJs filed in March 2025.
Regional Distribution
Female Founders
In April 2025, over 6K new companies were registered as owned by females, significantly declining from the 12 K+ companies registered in March 2025.
Female-Owned Businesses: Industry & Regional Insights – April 2025
Top 3 Industries for Female-Owned Businesses
Top 3 Regions for Female-Owned Businesses
Note: Data sourced from DataGardener’s April 2025 UK Business Insights report. For more detailed analysis and insights, contact us.