This section explores the differences between regional statistics and the national picture.
How are design businesses spread across the UK?
Chart 52
Number of design businesses in the UK
| Region |
% |
| Scotland (3,742) |
 6 |
| North East (1,042) |
2 |
| Northern Ireland (743) |
1 |
| North West (3,393) |
5 |
| Yorkshire & The Humber (3,659) |
6 |
| East Midlands (4,358) |
7 |
| Wales (1,875) |
3 |
| West Midlands (3,963) |
6 |
| East (4,939) |
8 |
| London (20,436) |
31 |
| South East (10,512) |
16 |
| South West (7,091) |
11 |
What is the spread of design disciplines across the UK?
What proportion of UK design businesses have been operating for three years or less?
What are the regional differences in turnover and budget?
Chart 55
Changes in turnover/budget by locations (%)
| Locations |
Increase |
No change |
Decrease |
Don't know |
| South West |
56 |
11 |
19 |
14 |
| East Midlands |
50 |
11 |
12 |
27 |
| Wales |
50 |
40 |
11 |
25 |
| West Midlands |
50 |
5 |
15 |
30 |
| North West |
48 |
18 |
14 |
20 |
| East |
44 |
19 |
20 |
17 |
| Northern Irelanc |
44 |
21 |
8 |
28 |
| North East |
42 |
16 |
17 |
25 |
| Scotland |
42 |
25 |
13 |
21 |
| Yorkshire & The Humber |
42 |
19 |
18 |
22 |
| South East |
41 |
20 |
20 |
19 |
| London |
37 |
16 |
24 |
23 |
What are the regional differences in recruitment figures?
Chart 56
Number of designers recruited in the previous 12 months by location (%)
| Location |
0 designers |
1-4 designers |
5+ designers |
| South West |
66 |
31 |
3 |
| Wales |
66 |
33 |
1 |
| North East |
60 |
37 |
3 |
| Scotland |
60 |
36 |
4 |
| East |
59 |
38 |
2 |
| East Midlands |
58 |
41 |
1 |
| North West |
58 |
40 |
2 |
| South East |
57 |
42 |
1 |
| West Midlands |
52 |
45 |
3 |
| Yorkshire & The Humber |
51 |
46 |
3 |
| London |
48 |
48 |
4 |
What are the key headlines from each region?
East
14% of design businesses have been in operation for less than one year
National average 6%
52% of design businesses offer digital and multimedia design services
National average 44%
East Midlands
Design businesses in the East Midlands are the most positive towards free pitching, with 56% saying it is a fact of life
National average 31%
London
27% of design businesses’ clients are from overseas
National average 14%
33% of design businesses in London are opposed to free pitching, which makes them the most negative towards this practice in the UK
National average 23%
North East
The North East has the highest proportion of in-house design teams—they make up 21% of the region’s design businesses
National average 9%
The region also has the second highest proportion of design consultancies (30%)
National average 19%
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland has the highest proportion of design consultancies (31%)
National average 19%
24% of design businesses in Northern Ireland plan to change discipline within the next three years
National average 17%
North West
At 20%, the North West has the second highest proportion of in-house design teams
National average 9%
Scotland
42% of design businesses have been in business for less than four years
National average 23%
74% of businesses predict a moderate or substantial increase in turnover in the next year
National average 54%
52% of design businesses offer digital and multimedia design services
National average 44%
South East
53% of design businesses have been operating for more than 10 years
National average 40%
Designers in the South East are least likely to be involved in design education. Only 10% say they are currently involved in any way
National average 19%
34% of design businesses are not willing to provide student placements or internships, which is the highest level in the country
National average 27%9495
South West
20% of design businesses in the South West have their main clients in recreational, cultural or sporting activities
National average 14%
56% of design businesses saw an increase in turnover last year
National average 43%
The South West has the lowest representation of in-house design teams in the country, at only 6%
National average 9%
58% of design businesses say their main competition is to be found locally. This is significantly higher than in other regions
National average 34%
Wales
Only 13% of Welsh design businesses offer services in product and industrial design. This is the lowest proportion of all the regions
National average 23%
33% of design businesses are not willing to offer work experience placements
National average 27%
West Midlands
38% of design businesses in the West Midlands offer services in product and industrial design
National average 23%
44% of design businesses offer services in communications design. This is the lowest proportion of all the regions
National average 58%
Yorkshire and The Humber
53% of design businesses in Yorkshire and The Humber offer services in digital and multimedia design, which is the highest level in the country
National average 44%