What is an enterprise business?

From high-street chains to local hotspots, a huge variety of businesses power our everyday experiences. These organisations broadly fall into three categories: micro, SME (small and medium enterprise), and enterprise.

In this guide, we’ll define what an enterprise is, explore a real-world example, and look at the different types of enterprise businesses in the UK. We’ll also break down how enterprises differ from smaller companies, why enterprise matters in business, and what defines an enterprise company today.

This guide will cover:

• What is an enterprise?
• What is an enterprise business example? (Lawsons, a Dojo merchant)
• What is the difference between a business and an enterprise?
• The main types of enterprise business in the UK
• What defines an enterprise company?
• Why enterprise is important in business
• Can a small business be an enterprise?

What is an enterprise?

An enterprise business is a large-scale organisation, which usually includes:

• over 250 employees
• a turnover of £50 million or more
• multiple locations
• several departments, such as legal, marketing, and finance
• a large infrastructure to support its operations.
• numerous revenue streams.

When we ask what an enterprise is in business, it's all about scale and complexity. These businesses tend to have hierarchies, ironed-out processes, and the capacity to handle high transaction volumes or large customer bases.

Unlike smaller companies, enterprises are also more likely to be structured legally as corporations or limited companies. They often have boards of directors, shareholders, and multi-layered management teams responsible for different divisions.

What is an enterprise business example?

Let’s look at Lawsons, a Dojo merchant, as an example of an enterprise business.

A large workforce

Lawsons employs around 740 people across 38 locations – a clear sign of the scale and coordination needed to run an enterprise-level business. Managing that many staff and sites takes serious organisation and structure.

Multiple sales channels

Lawsons sells both to consumers in-store and online. Their business-to-consumer (B2C) side, and to other businesses through their business-to-business (B2B) arm. For instance, they might supply materials for loft conversions to smaller building firms working directly with homeowners.

Widespread sales

With sites across London and the South East, Lawsons has a strong national footprint. Many enterprises go even further, expanding across the UK and beyond to build an international presence.

Resources and infrastructure

As Lawsons has grown, they’ve acquired several independent businesses specialising in timber, fencing, and landscaping supplies. Their investment in technology is another classic enterprise move, using advanced systems to manage scale efficiently. They even have a dedicated Group Infrastructure Manager, which tells you just how structured their operations are.

Diverse products and services

From timber and cladding to fencing and flooring, Lawsons’ wide product range lets them tap into multiple revenue streams and serve different market segments.

So when we ask what an enterprise business looks like in practice, Lawsons is a perfect example – large-scale operations, complex logistics, multiple sales channels, and the infrastructure to keep it all running smoothly.

What is the difference between a business and an enterprise?

A business can be any organisation that sells goods or services, whether it’s a one-person start-up or a large corporation.

An enterprise, on the other hand, usually describes a business that’s grown beyond the SME stage. It’s bigger, more structured, and operates on a larger, more strategic scale. Think of it as a business that’s evolved, with multiple departments, formal processes, and the resources to handle major operations.

So, while every enterprise is a business, not every business is an enterprise.

If you’ve ever wondered what is the difference between a company and an enterprise, it’s largely about scale and complexity. A company might focus on one area or market; an enterprise often operates across multiple sectors or regions, employing a structured approach to governance and growth.

Different types of enterprise business in the UK

Sole proprietorship

This is a business owned and run by one person. They’re usually micro businesses, but some can grow into enterprise-level operations over time. Think independent tradespeople, online sellers, or freelancers who expand into larger companies.

Partnership

A partnership is a business run by two or more individuals or entities who share ownership and responsibility. You’ll often find this structure in professional services like law firms, creative agencies, or accountancy practices.

Corporation

A corporation is a for-profit entity designed to protect its owners or shareholders from personal liability. Most large enterprises operate as corporations because this setup makes it easier to manage growth, attract investment, and oversee complex operations.

Limited liability company (LLC)

An LLC blends the legal protection of a corporation with the tax flexibility of a partnership. It’s a popular choice for professional firms, like lawyers, doctors, accountants, and architects, who want to protect individuals while staying operationally flexible.

What defines an enterprise company?

When we talk about what defines an enterprise company, it’s not just about size or turnover – it’s about how the business operates. Enterprises are built to handle complexity at scale, with the systems, people, and processes to keep things running efficiently across multiple locations and teams.

Rather than simply growing larger, enterprise businesses grow smarter. They establish structure across every level, with departments that work together strategically to support long-term goals. Their access to capital and technology gives them the flexibility to innovate, expand into new markets, and maintain consistency as they scale.

Enterprises also tend to diversify, offering a range of products, services, or even brands under one organisation. This helps them stay resilient and adaptable, even in challenging markets. And with their size comes reliance on data, automation, and digital systems to make informed decisions and improve performance.

So, when we ask what is the meaning of business enterprise, it comes down to this: a company that combines scale with strategy, and ambition with structure.

Why is enterprise important in business?

Enterprise plays a huge role in the UK economy. Large-scale companies like Lawsons, John Lewis, or Tesco don’t just provide jobs, they drive innovation, support local communities, and contribute significant tax revenue.

They also create opportunities for smaller businesses through their supply chains and partnerships. Many SMEs rely on enterprises as clients, distributors, or suppliers, meaning that when big businesses thrive, others often do too.

On a broader level, enterprise pushes industries forward. With the resources to invest in research, development, and technology, these companies are often first to launch new products, improve services, and set higher standards across their sectors.

Can a small business be an enterprise?

Technically, yes – but with some caveats. A small business can be considered an enterprise if it demonstrates enterprise-level thinking: expanding into new markets, diversifying its products or services, and building the infrastructure needed to support scale.

For example, a regional restaurant chain like Maki & Ramen may have multiple sites in one city but still operate with enterprise-level systems and technology. The distinction is less about size alone and more about structure, ambition, and the ability to scale operations sustainably.

This helps clarify what is the difference between limited and enterprise – a limited company refers to a legal structure, whereas an enterprise refers to the overall scale and complexity of the organisation.

Five examples of enterprise businesses

• Lawsons: Building and timber supplies retailer with 38 sites.
• John Lewis Partnership: A nationwide retail and services group.
• Tesco: A multinational grocery and general merchandise retailer.
• Virgin Media O2: Telecommunications enterprise operating across the UK.
• BT Group: One of the UK’s largest communications and technology providers.