New study reveals where Portsmouth ranks for investment companies

London might be Britain's financial capital, but when it comes to the number of investment companies relative to the local population, it's not top of the pile. A new study has revealed the UK cities where investment firms are most concentrated, with several smaller cities outpacing the capital.

The research, carried out by LEI Register, examined active Companies House records across a range of investment-related SIC codes, including investment trusts, fund management, venture capital and securities dealing. Researchers then compared the number of qualifying businesses with each city's population to work out where investment companies are most concentrated.

Portsmouth ranked 39th in the UK, with 21 investment companies per 10,000 residents. The Hampshire city recorded a stronger concentration of investment businesses than many larger UK locations, showing that investment activity is not limited to the country's biggest financial centres.

Portsmouth ranked ahead of several well-known cities, including Liverpool, which recorded 18 investment companies per 10,000 residents, Manchester and Sheffield, which both had 14, Belfast and Glasgow, which each recorded 13, and Birmingham, which had 11 investment companies per 10,000 residents.

Across the south of England, Portsmouth was also surrounded by several strong-performing locations. Winchester topped the entire UK ranking with 84 investment companies per 10,000 residents, while Bath followed with 82. Canterbury recorded 62, Exeter had 55, and Chelmsford recorded 56 investment companies per 10,000 residents.

The findings also revealed that London ranked eighth overall, with 67 investment companies per 10,000 residents. Despite being home to the UK's largest financial district, the capital was outpaced by several smaller cities once population size was taken into account.

Top 10 UK cities with the highest concentration of investment companies:

1. Winchester - 84 investment companies per 10,000 residents

2. Bath - 82 investment companies per 10,000 residents

3. Newry - 75 investment companies per 10,000 residents

4. York - 75 investment companies per 10,000 residents

5. Stirling - 74 investment companies per 10,000 residents

6. Cambridge - 70 investment companies per 10,000 residents

7. Lancaster - 70 investment companies per 10,000 residents

8. London - 67 investment companies per 10,000 residents

9. Norwich - 65 investment companies per 10,000 residents

10. Oxford - 64 investment companies per 10,000 residents