March marks a dynamic period, bridging the seasonal shift from winter to spring and closing the UK financial year. With British Summer Time kicking in, businesses adapt their strategies for financial planning, operations, and market trends. At DataGardener, we bring you the latest Business Insights Report, analysing crucial developments from the past three months, including new company formations, financial trends, and emerging opportunities. Understanding these trends is essential as businesses gear up for the tax year-end. Explore the Q1 2025 UK Business Trends Report for a deep dive into the evolving landscape.
Business Overview at a Glance
As of March 2025, over 68K new businesses had been started, more than 11K County Court Judgments (CCJs) had been filed, and over 10K charges had been registered. These figures reflect a dynamic start to the year and offer a snapshot of the evolving business landscape.
These numbers reflect a thriving business ecosystem, marked by opportunities and challenges.
Company Dissolutions in Q1 2025
According to Companies House, 191K companies were dissolved in Q1 2025:
While February saw a surge, the slight decline in March suggests stabilisation in business closures.
New Company Formation in Q1 2025
- During the First quarter, we saw a significant surge in new business registrations, reflecting intense entrepreneurial activity.
- January led the way with 68K+ new companies, followed closely by February with 66K+. March rebounded to 68K+, maintaining the overall momentum.
- This steady growth underscores the sustained enthusiasm for business creation.
Charges Registered in Q1 2025
- In the first quarter of 2025, 32K charges were registered. February recorded the highest number at 11K, while January and March saw 10K registrations each.
- A mid-quarter peak highlights significant financial transactions and business investments.
County Court Judgments (CCJs) in Q1 2025
- In the first quarter of 2025, over 37K County Court Judgments (CCJs) were filed. February saw the highest activity, with 15K filings, a significant peak. January recorded 10K, while March had 11K.
- This fluctuation reflects changing legal actions and financial obligations.
Businesses Were Incorporated in the UK
(March 2025 vs February 2025)
In March 2025, 68K+ new companies were incorporated, marking a decrease of 11.46% compared to February 2025, when 66K+ companies were incorporated.
Regional Distribution
London continues to dominate with 33.24% of new businesses, though its share slightly declined from 33.30%, signaling regional diversification.
Meanwhile, Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Wales remained steady, indicating stable business environments.
New Companies Registered in March 2025
Industrial Distribution
The analysis of the Standard Industrial Classification reveals a diverse array of industries, each contributing to the overall landscape of the company registered.
Wholesale & Retail Trade leads the way, while Real Estate and Professional Services remain strong. Construction saw a minor slowdown, but demand for service-based industries continues to rise.
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.
Private Sector Business Data Overview
January 2025 vs. December 2024
In March 2025, 67K+ new private sector companies were incorporated, reflecting a 2.9% decrease compared to February 2025, which saw 65K+ new incorporations.
Regional Distribution of Private Sector Companies Incorporated
Analysing incorporation trends, London led with 33.24%, though its share slightly declined from 33.30%, indicating regional diversification.
The South West (+11%), East of England (+4.5%), and South East (+6.3%) saw notable increases, reflecting rising business activity in these areas.
The North West (+3.4%) and West Midlands (+2.3%) also experienced growth, while Yorkshire and the Humber (+2.7%) showed steady momentum.
Meanwhile, Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Wales remained stable.
These trends highlight growing regional entrepreneurship, increasing business confidence, and expanding investment opportunities across the UK.
Top SIC Industry Classifications of Newly Incorporated Companies in the Private Sector
Analysing newly incorporated businesses by Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) highlights diverse industries driving business growth.
Wholesale and retail Trade remains the leading sector, with 18.27% of new incorporations, though its share declined from 20%.
Real Estate Activities follow at 9.98%, down from 12%, while Professional, Scientific, and Technical Activities hold 9.62%, maintaining stability.
Construction dropped to 7.96%, reflecting a slowdown in the sector. Information & Communication (7.11%) and Accommodation & Food Service Activities (7.35%) continue to show a strong presence, emphasising demand in key service industries.
These trends suggest evolving market dynamics, shifting investment patterns, and increasing opportunities across multiple industries.
Comparative Data
Charges Registered March 2025 vs February 2025
In March 2025, over 10K outstanding charges were registered, marking a slight decline from the previous month, which recorded over 11K charges.
Regional Distribution
County Court Judgements (CCJs) Filed in March 2025 Vs February 2025
In March 2025, 11K+ CCJs were filed, which is lower than the 15K+ CCJs filed in February 2025.
Regional Distribution
Risk Assessment of Companies Incorporated in January 2025 to February 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 98.69% 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 1.08%, while high-risk companies constitute 0.22%. 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 0.02%, 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.
Female Founders
In March 2025, over 9K new companies were registered as owned by females, marking a significant decline from the 11K+ companies registered in February 2025.
Female-Owned Businesses: Industry & Regional Insights – March 2025
Top 3 Industries for Female-Owned Businesses
March 2025 reveals a strong presence of female entrepreneurs across various sectors, with notable leadership in the following industries:
- Wholesale and Retail Trade: With 1.8K+ businesses, this sector leads female entrepreneurship, accounting for 19.68% of all female-owned companies. The industry remains a key area for women in business, offering opportunities in traditional retail and emerging e-commerce markets.
- Professional, Scientific and Technical Activities: Home to 1.1K+ businesses (13%), this industry continues to grow as women break into traditionally male-dominated fields such as engineering, technology, and consultancy.
- Accommodation & Food Service Activities: With 810+ businesses (8.83%), it stands out as another significant area for female entrepreneurs, especially with the rise of women in property management, development, and investment.
Top 3 Regions for Female-Owned Businesses
The regional distribution of female-owned businesses shows a clear trend towards urban hubs and economically diverse areas:
- London: With 2.8K+ businesses (31.25%), London remains the epicentre of female entrepreneurship. The city offers vast opportunities in finance, tech, and creative industries, making it a hotspot for women looking to start or scale their businesses.
- South East: The South East follows with 990+ businesses (10.81%), reflecting its growing economic importance and the increasing number of women-led enterprises in retail, healthcare, and professional services.
- North West: With 890+ businesses (9.69%), the North West continues to rise as a key region for female entrepreneurs, supported by a strong local economy and a thriving network for women in business.
Note: Data sourced from DataGardener’s March 2025 UK Business Insights report. For more detailed analysis and insights, contact us.