Please find below more information about the industry options to help you tag yourself and find other Fellows more easily. Please choose a first and second level classification that you feel best fits your current work. An industry is a category of business activity – as opposed to an occupation. For example, an HR manager working for the RSA would be listed under Membership Organisations. This listing is only one of the ways to tag your profile and you can tell people more about yourself under ‘Interests’ and ‘About’.
This list has been adapted from the latest Standard Industry Classification from the Office of National Statistics, and as such is a recognised breakdown of industry listings. Monitoring this allows the RSA to maintain the diversity of experience and expertise across the Fellowship, that Fellows say is of great value to them, and allows us our unique interdisciplinary approach.
| Industry Level 1 Description |
Industry Level 2 Description |
Notes | Examples |
| Accommodation and food service | Accommodation | Hotel, camping ground, holiday accommodation, youth hostel | Butlins, Holiday Inn |
| Accomodation and food service | Restaurants & other food service | Restaurant, pub, takeaway, event catering, bar, cafe | Leon's, Strada, Starbucks, Eat |
| Admin and support services | Employment & HR | Employment agency, human resources, casting agency | Reed, Office Angels, JobCentrePlus, Select, Manpower, Women Like Us |
| Admin and support services | Office admin & other support services | Office administration, photocopy services, secretarial services, call centres, conference organisers, event organisers, court reporting, rental and leasing | FedEx Kinko, |
| Admin and support services | Security & building services | Security guards, patrols, investigation services, security alarm systems, pest control, extermination | Group-3, ADT |
| Admin and support services | Travel agency & tour operators | Reservation services, tourist guides | Opodo, Hoseasons, Expedia |
| Agriculture | Crop & animal production | Crops, animals, hunting, farming | |
| Agriculture | Fishing | Fishing, aquaculture | |
| Agriculture | Forestry | Forestry, logging | |
| Arts and recreation | Artists & art restoration | Individual artists, painter, sculptor, engraver, cartoonist | |
| Arts and recreation | Arts facilities, theatres & galleries | Concerts, theatres, art galleries | Barbican, White Cube, Whitechapel Gallery, Edinburgh Festival |
| Arts and recreation | Libraries, archives & museums | Libraries, archives, museums, zoos, botanical gardens, historial sites, nature reserves, world heritage sites | Tate Modern, Natural History Museum, London Zoo, Kew Gardens, Stone Henge, British Museum |
| Arts and recreation | Performing arts | Live music, actors, orchestras, plays, dancers, musicians, circuses, lecturers, speakers, theatre companies, directors, producers, stage-set, lighting engineers, entertainment | |
| Arts and recreation | Sports & recreation | Gambling, betting, sports facilities, stadiums, racetracks, swimming pools, golfcourse, bowling lane, winter sports, track and field, atheletes, sports clubs, amusement parks, theme parks, private and local authority sports facilities | Arsenal Emirates Stadium, Goodwood, Allstar Lanes, Thorpe Park, Canons, local authority gym, Wimbledon, Camelot |
| Arts and recreation | Writers & journalists | Writers, fiction, non-fiction, technial writing, independent journalists | |
| Construction | Building, civil engineer, skilled trade | Buildings, roads, railways, bridges, demolition, eletrical installation, plumbing, plastering, joinery, roofing, scaffolding, government building and civil engineering department | Balfour Beatty, Wates, Shepherd |
| Education | Cultural | Adult continuing, vocational, music lessons, drama, art, dance, fine arts, performing arts, photography | RADA |
| Education | Educational testing & support | Educational consultation, educational guidance counselling, educational testing services | AQA, OCR, Edexcel |
| Education | Higher arts | Baccalaureate, graduate, post-graduate, art, film, media, photography, drama | |
| Education | Higher - business & law | Baccalaureate, graduate, post-graduate, business studies, law, economics | LSE, Manchester Business School |
| Education | Higher earth science | Baccalaureate, graduate, post-graduate, geography, archeology, geology, environmental studies | |
| Education | Higher - humanities | Baccalaureate, graduate, post-graduate, english, history, religious studies, philosophy | |
| Education | Higher - management & other | Management, administration | |
| Education | Higher - science & engineering | Baccalaureate, graduate, post-graduate, chemistry, biology, physics, engineering, maths, medicine, architecture, town planning | |
| Education | Higher - social science & psychology | Baccalaureate, graduate, post-graduate, sociology, ethnography, psychology, community, education, economics | |
| Education | Other | Driving school, lifeguard training, language instruction, public speaking training, computer training, remedial courses | |
| Education | Pre-primary | (see 'Health and social work' for child day care) | |
| Education | Primary | ||
| Education | Secondary | General, technical and vocational | |
| Education | Sports & recreation | Adult continuting, vocational, sports, gymnastics, riding, swimming, martial arts, yoga | |
| Finance and insurance | Banking & investment | Banks, central bank, credit unions, building societies, holding companies, trusts, investment funds, mortgages, financial leasing, venture capital, loans, credit cards, pawn broker, money lender, stock exchange broker, commodities dealer | |
| Finance and insurance | Insurance & pensions | Life insurance, travel insurance, contents insurance, employee benefits, pension funds, retirement plans | |
| Finance and insurance | Other financial services | Risk and damage assessment, brokers, salvage administration, fund management | |
| Health and social work | Medical & dental care | Medical and paramedical staff, nursing, midwifery, specialist practitioner, technical analysis, testing, inpatient care, operating rooms, hosptial pharmacy, family planning, GP, dentists, surgeons, physiotherapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy, chiropody, medical laboratories, blood banks, ambulance transport | |
| Health and social work | Residential care & social work | Nursing homes, elderly, rehabilitation, disability, mental illness, substance misuse, hostel, half-way house, rehabilitation, assisted living, boarding homes, homeless shelters, juvenile correction homes, welfare, visting and daycare, child day care, adoption, counselling, community and neighbourhood activities, prevention of cruelty, vocational rehabilitiation, activities for immigrants and refugees | |
| Information and communication | Broadcasting & programming | Radio, television, broadcasting, programming | BBC, Channel 4, ITV, Sky |
| Information and communication | Film, television & music | Film, video, television production, post-production, distribution, music publishing, sound recording, record label | Chrysalis, EMI, Faber, Talkback Thames, Harlequin, Fat Face Records |
| Information and communication | Computer programming & info services | Computer programming, software development, data processing, web portals, news agency | Google, Yahoo, Reuters, Microsoft, Facebook, Bebo |
| Information and communication | Publishing | Books, mailing list, newspaper, journal, software, computer games | Blackwells, Guardian, Times, |
| Information and communication | Telecommunication | Wired, wireless and satellite | BT, Orange, Vodafone, Virgin Mobile, O2 |
| International organisations | International organisations | Activites of international organisations such as United Nations, World Bank, OPEC | United Nations, World Customs Organisation, International Monetary Fund, World Bank, OPEC, European Communities |
| Manufacturing | Beverages | Spirits, wine, cider, beer, soft drinks, mineral water | Sam Smiths, Vittel, Coke Cola, Jacobs Creek, Guinness |
| Manufacturing | Chemical glass plastic & metal | Paint, glue, plastics, rubber, fertilisers, cleaning products, glass, ceramics, concrete, metal, coke, refined petroleum, perfumes | BASF, Monsanto |
| Manufacturing | Computer & electrical equipment | Computers, telephones, communication equipment, watches, clocks, cameras, consumer electronics, cables, lighting, repair, installation, batteries | Nikon, Sony, Canon, JVC, Toshiba, Swatch, Duracell |
| Manufacturing | Food | Processing, preserving, meat, fish, poultry, fruit, vegetables, dairy, oils, fats, grains, bakery, pasta, sugar, confectionary, coffee, tea, condiments | Walkers, Kelloggs, Mars, Yeo Valley, Kingsmill, Cafedirect, Tetleys, Heinz |
| Manufacturing | Machinery & vehicles | Engines, turbines, motor, tractor, car, caravan, boat, trailer, train, plane, boilers, radiators, tools | BMW, Boeing, Volvo, Bombardier |
| Manufacturing | Other | Tobacco, jewellery, musical instruments, sports goods, toys, medical supplies | Corgi, Lego, Hornby, Yamaha |
| Manufacturing | Paper & printing | Paper, cardboard, sanitary goods, stationery, pulp, printing, recorded media, reproduction of cds, dvd, cassettes | James Cropper plc, Bounty, Andrex, Printing Direct |
| Manufacturing | Pharmaceutical | Medicinal, chemical, botanical preparations, antibiotics, vitamins, vaccines, homeopathic preparations, contraceptives, biotech | Pfizer, GlaxoSmithKline, Nelsons, Bachs |
| Manufacturing | Textiles, leather & clothing | Weaving, knitting, textiles, wearing apparel, leather, soft furnishings, household linen, carpets, rope, workwear, clothing, outer wear, underwear | Palmhive, Replin Fabrics |
| Manufacturing | Wood & furniture | Wood, cork, sawmill, planing, veneer, parquet flooring, wooden products, furniture, kitchen, office, shop, mattresses, beds, garden furniture | Dreams, Vitra, Twyford |
| Membership organisations | Arts & cultural | Public education, grant giving, fundraising, political influence, arts clubs, film clubs, music clubs, collectors clubs | British Board of Film Classification |
| Membership organisations | Business & employment | Development and prosperity of enterprises in a particular business or trade, chambers of commerce, business federations, lobby groups | British Frozen Food Federation, Scottish Chambers of Commerce, UK Business Council |
| Membership organisations | Community & educational | Public education, grant giving, fundraising, political influence, citizens initiative, protest movement, community centre | Raleigh International, Plane Stupid, Bishopsgate Institute |
| Membership organisations | Environmental & ecological | Public education, grant giving, fundraising, political influence, conservation, preservation, green, sustainability, stewardship, management of resources | Greenpeace, WWF, Friends of the Earth, British Hedgehog Preservation Society, National Trust |
| Membership organisations | Health | Public education, grant giving, fundraising, political influence, healthcare, health improvements, health support, nutrition, healthy eating | National Heart Foundation, Cancer Research UK, Breatkthrough BreastCancer, Local Food Links, Foodaware |
| Membership organisations | Political organisations | Influence decision making in public office by placing members of the party in political office, dissemination of information, public relations, fundraising | Labour Party, Conservatives, Green Party, Liberal Democrats |
| Membership organisations | Professional membership | Scholarly interest, technical field, professional practice, associations of professions, dissemination of information, establishment and supervision of standards of practise | General Medical Council, Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors, Royal Institute of British Architects |
| Membership organisations | Religious organisations | Religious organisations, individuals, provision of services to worshippers, churches, synagogues, temples, mosques | East London Mosque, St Marys Church |
| Membership organisations | Human rights & international development | Public education, grant giving, fundraising, political influence, protection and advocacy, minority groups, poverty, international development, human rights | Amnesty International, Oxfam, WaterAid, National Council for Civil Liberties, NSPCC |
| Membership organisations | Social, youth & other | Public education, grant giving, fundraising, political influence, youth groups, student associations, fraternities, animal, automobile, consumer | Guides, Scouts, Rotary, Freemasons, Lodges, RSPCA, AA, RAC, Student Union, YMCA |
| Membership organisations | Trade unions | Promoting the interests of organised labour and union employees | Unison, Unite, NUT |
| Mining and quarrying | Mining & quarrying | Coal, petroleum, natural gas, metal ore, other | UK Coal, Anglesey Mining, AngloAmerican, Rio Tinto |
| Professional | Accounting & book-keeping | Accounting, book-keeping, auditing, tax consultants | KPMG |
| Professional | Advertising & market research | Advertising, media representation, market research, opinion polling | YouGov |
| Professional | Architecture & engineering | Architecture, urban planning, engineering design, landscape architecture, technical testing | |
| Professional | Business & financial management | Management consultancy, risk consultancy | |
| Professional | Design & photography | Fashion, industrial, graphic, photography, portraits | |
| Professional | Environmental consultant & quant survey | Adherence to legal and quality standards, regulatory compliance, advice, costing, guidelines, business brokerage, weather forecasting, agronomy | Enviros, Entec, Mayer, MET Office |
| Professional | Legal activities | Barristers, solicitors, copyright agents, chambers | |
| Professional | Other professional technical scientific | Translation, interpretation, vetinary | |
| Professional | PR & communications | Public relations, communications, public affairs, lobbyist | Bell Pottinger, Fishburn Hedges, |
| Professional | Research natural science & engineering | Research, applied research, experimental development, natural sciences, engineering, biotechnology, agricultural, medical | National Institute for Medical Research |
| Professional | Research social science & humanities | Research, applied research, experimental development, social sciences and humanities | IPPR, Demos, NESTA, Economic and Social Research Council |
| Public administration and regulation | Agriculture and land use | Public administration, regulation and subsidy allocation, research and development, improve economic areas, reduce unemployment, regional development, general labour affairs | Defra, Planning Inspectorate, Land Registry |
| Public administration and regulation | Community, housing & social services | Public administration of programmes, research, development policies, public grants and sponsoring, improving personal well-being (See 'health and social care' for practitioner roles) | English Parnerships, Regional Development Agency |
| Public administration and regulation | Culture, recreation & sport | Public administration of programmes, research, development policies, public grants and sponsoring, improving personal well-being (See 'Arts and Recreation' for pracitioner roles) | Arts Council, Olympic Organising Committee, English Heritage, British Council, Heritage Lottery Fund |
| Public administration and regulation | Defence | Military defence, army, navy, airforce, reserve and auxillary forces, defence related research and policy | |
| Public administration and regulation | Energy & communication | Public administration, regulation and subsidy allocation, research and development, improve economic areas, reduce unemployment, regional development, general labour affairs | Ofcom, Ofgem |
| Public administration and regulation | Education | Public administration of programmes, research, development policies, public grants and sponsoring, improving personal well-being, education (See 'eduation' for practitioner roles) | Ofsted, DSCF, |
| Public administration and regulation | Environment | Public administration of programmes, research, development policies, public grants and sponsoring, improving personal well-being | Environment Agency, Forestry Commission, Natural England |
| Public administration and regulation | Exec admin, fiscal social plan & stats | Executive and legislative administration of local, national and regional bodies, administration of fiscal affairs, tax, duty, customs, public funds, public debt, social planning, statistical services | HM Revenue and Customs, Office of National Statistics, Centre for Public Scrutiny, IdEA, Central Office of Information, HM Treasury, Audit Commission |
| Public administration and regulation | Foreign affairs | Foreign affairs, diplomatic and consular missions, aid to foreign countries, foreign trade, international finance, international peacekeeping forces, technical and training assistance abroad | Department of Foreign Affairs, British Embassy |
| Public administration and regulation | Health | Public administration of programmes, research, development policies, public grants and sponsoring, improving personal well-being, health, (See 'health and social care' for practitioner roles) | Health and Safety Executive, National Institute of Clinical Excellence, Department of Heatlh, NHS Executive and Management |
| Public administration and regulation | Criminal justice & judicial services | Administration of civil and criminal courts, military tribunals, legal representation, prison administration, correctional services, rehabilitation | Crown Court, HMP Wormwood, Youth Offending Centre |
| Public administration and regulation | Public order & safety | Police, fire services, port guards, border control, coastguards, traffic wardens, school crossing patrol, crime squad, peacetime disaster management | |
| Public administration and regulation | Compulsory social security | Social security, benefits, government employee pension schemes, benefits, family and child, sickness, unemployment, disability, maternity, work-accident | Department of Work and Pensions |
| Public administration and regulation | Tourism & trade | Public administration, regulation and subsidy allocation, research and development, improve economic areas, reduce unemployment, regional development, general labour affairs | Visit Britain, Department for Business, Enterprise & Regulatory Reform, English Heritage, Trading Standards |
| Public administration and regulation | Transport & infrastructure | Public administration, regulation and subsidy allocation, research and development, improve economic areas, reduce unemployment, regional development, general labour affairs (See 'transport' for practitioner roles) | DVLA |
| Real estate | Real estate & housing | Buying, selling, renting, letting, operating, including Housing Association, conference and exhibition centres | Foxtons, Keatons, RightMove, Haart, Anchor Trust, Barnet Homes, Brent Housing Partnership |
| Services | Repair, beauty, funeral & other services | Repair computers and household goods, hairdressing and other beauty services, washing and drycleaning, funeral services, pet care, tattooing and piercing, saunas, salons | Aveda, Coop Funeral Care, |
| Trade | Retail clothing chemist & other | Clothes, jewellery, cosmetics, watches, glasses, shoes, dispensing chemist, flowers, commercial art, opticians, souvenirs, antiques, second-hand goods | TopShop, Boots, Clarks, H&M, Christies, Oxfam Shop |
| Trade | Retail food & beverages | Fruit, vegetable, meat, fish, bread, beverages, tobacco, dairy, eggs | Tesco, Sainsburys |
| Trade | Retail household comms & IT equipment | Textiles, hardware, paints, electrical appliances, furniture, carpets, rugs, lighting, computers, audio-visual, mobile phones, musical instruments, scores | Comet, Dixons, John Lewis, PC World, B&Q |
| Trade | Retail not in stores | Markets, stalls, online, box schemes | Amazon, Borough Market, Abel and Cole |
| Trade | Retail cultural & recreational | Books, music, video, DVD, games, toys, sports equipment, newspapers, stationary | WH Smith, HMV, ToysRUs, Zavvi |
| Trade | Wholesale food & beverages | Fruit, vegetable, meat, fish, bread, beverages, tobacco, dairy, eggs, sugar, confectionary, tea, coffee, spices | Dairy Crest, Goodness Foods |
| Trade | Wholesale household comms & IT equipment | Textiles, clothing, footwear, electrical applicances, china, glassware, cosmetics, watches, jewellery, cleaning materials, furniture, carpets, lighting, computers | Medways UK, Marthill International |
| Trade | Wholesale vehicles & other machinery | Agricultural machinery, machine tools, mining and construction machinery, sewing machines, motor vehicles | |
| Trade | Wholesale agricultural chemicals & other | Agriculture, grain, seeds, plants, live animals, skins, hides, leather, petroleum, metal, wood, sanitary equipment, hardware, plumbing and heating supplies, scrap and waste | |
| Transport | Air transport | Scheduled, non-scheduled, freight, space | British Airways, EasyJet |
| Transport | Postal & other transport | Postal, courier, warehousing, transport support, station upkeep, passenger facilities, cargo handling | Royal Mail, FedEx |
| Transport | Rail & road transport | Passenger, freight, mainline rail, underground, taxi services, bus, coach, tram, shuttle bus, school bus, trucking, removals | London Underground, Eddie Stobart, National Express |
| Transport | Water transport | Sea, coastal, canal, ferries, cruise, water taxi, canal boats | P&O |
| Utilities | Electricity & gas | Production, transmission, trade, distribution, gas, electricity, air conditioning, steam | British Gas, Scottish Power |
| Utilities | Waste collection, management & recycling | Waste collection, treatment, materials recovery, waste management and clean-up | Onyx, Biffa, Viridor |
| Utilities | Water supply & sewerage | Water collection, treatment, fresh water supply, sewerage treatment | Thames Water, South East Water, Mid-Kent Water |
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