SQW LIMITED
Company number 01701564 · Monitor this company
Executive summary
SQW LIMITED is a well-established niche player in the UK economic and social development consultancy market, with over four decades of heritage and a reputation that positions it favourably against both smaller boutiques and larger generalist competitors. While the balance sheet is robust – with net assets of £3.08m representing over 54% of turnover – reported operating margins of approximately 4% sit significantly below sector norms of 8-15%, partly explained by Group overhead allocation but still suggesting underlying margin pressure. The firm faces near-term headwinds from public spending constraints and procurement delays, though its investment in quantitative capabilities and employee share ownership scheme indicate strategic awareness of the sector's structural shifts. The key challenge will be translating its specialist reputation and financial resilience into margin improvement and sustainable growth in a contracting public advisory market.
Shareholders' funds
£3,037,361
Balance sheet as at 2026-03-31
What it does
The principal acitivity of the Company is the provision of economic and social development consultancy services.
The company's own description, from its latest filed accounts.
Overview
- Company type
- Private Limited Company
- Incorporated
- 1983-02-22
- Employees
- 56 (2026 accounts · was 59 in 2025)
- Registered office
- Oxford Centre For Innovation Blue Boar Court, 9 Alfred Street, Oxford, United Kingdom, OX1 4EH
- Postcode
- OX1 4EH
- Capital
- 2,232 GBP
- Accounts category
- Full
- Charges
- 2 outstanding
Accounts
- Last made up to
- 2026-03-31
- Next due by
- 2027-12-31
- Financial year end
- 31 March
Confirmation statement
- Last statement dated
- 2026-02-20
- Next due by
- 2027-03-06
Nature of business (SIC)
- 70229 Management consultancy activities other than financial management
Officers 6 current · 25 resigned
Group structure
Controlled by SQW GROUP LIMITED — since 2017-02-20
From persons-with-significant-control filings on the public register.
Public contracts won 49
£922,306,680 total awarded value where published.
Showing the 5 most recent of 49.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0 (Contracts Finder).
Licensed visa sponsor
Licensed by the Home Office to sponsor worker visas: Skilled Worker (Worker (A rating)).
Matched by registered name to the register of licensed sponsors (Home Office, updated daily) — check the register itself before relying on it. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Contact details
- Website
- sqw.co.uk
- Phone
- 01223209400, 01865261480, 02073914100
SQW provides research, analysis and advice in social and economic development. Contact one of our UK offices today.
Previous company names
| Name | Date changed |
|---|---|
| SEGAL QUINCE WICKSTEED LIMITED | 2001-01-03 |
| SEGAL QUINCE & ASSOCIATES LIMITED | 1989-02-17 |
| CORTUNAIR LIMITED | 1983-08-10 |
Previous registered addresses 10
| Address | Changed on |
|---|---|
| 43 CHALTON STREET, LONDON, NW1 1JD | 2019-06-03 |
| CORINTHIAN HOUSE 279 TOTTENHAM COURT ROAD, LONDON, W1T 7RJ, ENGLAND | 2012-08-04 |
| ENTERPRISE HOUSE VISION PARK, HISTON, CAMBRIDGE, CB24 9ZR | 2011-12-22 |
| ENTERPRISE HOUSE, VISION PARK, HISTON, CAMBRIDGE, CB4 9ZR | 2009-02-20 |
| ENTERPRISE HOUSE, VISION PARK, HISTON, CAMBRIDGE, CB4 9ZR | 2009-02-20 |
| THE GRANGE, MARKET STREET, SWAVESEY, CAMBRIDGE. CB4 5QG | 2000-10-02 |
| MOUNT PLEASANT HOUSE, 2 MOUNT PLEASANT, CAMBRIDGE, CB3 0BL | 1990-01-11 |
| MOUNT PLEASANT HOUSE, 2 MOUNT PLEASANT, CAMBRIDGE, CB3 0BL | 1990-01-11 |
| 910 WOODBOROUGH ROAD, MAPPERLEY, NOTTINGHAM, NG3 5QR | 1988-02-19 |
| 910 WOODBOROUGH ROAD, MAPPERLEY, NOTTINGHAM, NG3 5QR | 1988-02-19 |
Among its peers
Top 1%
by shareholders' funds, of 2,032 similar companies in OX
Among the biggest employers among its local peers (56 staff).
Among the oldest 25% of its local peers, trading since 1983.
Competitors Oxford
This company ranks 14 among management consultancy activities other than financial management in Oxford.
The class of 1983
51%
of the 13,141 companies incorporated in 1983 are still active today; 40% have since been dissolved.
A fact about the year, not a forecast for this company.