The changing face of UK entrepreneurship
 
Analysis from international recruitment firm Robert Half gives a compelling look into the founders behind The Sunday Times Hundred 2025 Britain’s fastest-growing private companies to reveal that corporate backgrounds are outshining elite academic credentials with over 70% of founders having prior corporate experience, with the start-up landscape looking more inclusive, regionally distributed and more reliant on practical experience than ever before.

According to the report Robert Half’s Scaling Britain 2025 report entrepreneurship is increasingly accessible to UK nationals with 90% of founders being British while 71% of them have backgrounds in structured professional environments, equipping them with the strategic mindset and operational skills needed to scale their businesses.

Age is no longer a barrier to launching and running successful companies: founders range from 17 to 68 years old with the average age sitting at 42.  Gen Z entrepreneurs are operating in fast-moving, consumer-facing sectors such as fashion, wellness and beauty, while older founders dominate in industries including consulting, construction and tech services, where deep expertise and long-term strategic thinking are essential.  This demonstrates that both youthful ambition and seasoned insight are contributing to the UK’s start-up ecosystem, proving that great ideas can come at any stage of life.

Despite progress in many areas, Robert Half’s analysis reveals women remain underrepresented in UK entrepreneurship.  Currently, only 30% of founders are women, and while there are signs of improvement, such as the rise in co-founded ventures between male and female partners, gender-inclusive leadership is still far from the norm.  Encouragingly, 13% of businesses were co-founded by male and female partners, suggesting a slow but growing trend toward gender-inclusive leadership.

Regionally, London continues to lead as the UK’s start-up capital, home to 35% of founders.  However, other cities are gaining momentum.  Manchester accounts for 9%, while Cardiff and Glasgow are quietly building their own entrepreneurial ecosystems. This decentralization of innovation is a promising sign for balanced economic growth across the UK.  “While London still leads, cities like Manchester, Cardiff and Glasgow are cultivating their own entrepreneurial ecosystems.  This decentralization of innovation is vital for balanced economic growth,” says Charlie Grubb, Senior Managing Director, Robert Half.  

“Interestingly, our analysis shows that founders are rewriting the rules of entrepreneurship. They’re no longer defined by elite education or narrow career paths: they are driven by grit, creativity and a commitment to solving real-world problems.  From Gen Z-led fashion brands to seasoned consultants scaling professional services, this year’s Sunday Times list reflects a dynamic and inclusive future for UK business.”

Despite the positivity, challenges remain.  “The gender gap is stark and traditional industries are underrepresented,” says Grubb.  “If the UK is to build a resilient and inclusive economy, we must support diverse founders across all demographics, backgrounds, sectors and regions.  That means targeted investment in female and minority entrepreneurs, stronger links between universities and business, and policies that encourage innovation outside the South East.  Only then will the energy captured in these rankings translate into long-term growth for the entire economy.”

Robert Half commissioned Protiviti’s Knowledge & Innovation Centre to analyse The Sunday Times Hundred 2025 list, studying founder backgrounds, education, careers, and industry trends behind Britain’s growth economy.