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Transcript of 2009 Fast Track 100 Rep
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In association with
Fast Track100 Researc Report 2009Britain's astest-growing
private companies
Sponsored by
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CONTENTS
SUMMARY 1
Introduction 1Top 10 Fast Track 100 companies 1
KEY FINDINGS 2
Growth in sales 2
Impact o the credit crunch 3
Sales breakdown 4
Regional breakdown 4
Number o employees 4
The average Fast Track 100 company 4
Funding and ownership 5
Sector and industry breakdown 5
LEAGUE TABLE HIGHLIGHTS AND EXAMPLES 6
Top company proile 7
Companies that have beneited rom downturn 8
Companies with public sector clients 9
Companies with emale ounders 10
Companies with green credentials 11
Companies using new media to reach customers 12Companies with staying power 13
METHODOLOGY 14
2009 FAST TRACK 100 LEAGUE TABLE 15
ABOUT THE SPONSORS 19
BACKGROUND 21
About the authors 21
About Fast Track 22
CONTACT DETAILS 22
2009 Fast Track 100 www.asttrack.co.uk
Fast Track 100 Research Report 2009 i
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SUMMARY
Introduction
This is the thirteenth year o Te Sunday Times Fast Track 100, which
has become the deinitive annual league table o Britainsastest-growing private companies. It is published in partnership with
Te Sunday Times, and with title sponsor Virgin Group.
The 2009 Fast Track 100 ranks companies based on their sales growth
over three years, either 2005 to 2008 or 2006 to 2009, depending on
their latest available accounts.
The Fast Track 100 league table is similar to the American Inc 500,
which identiied emerging private company stars such as Microsot
25 years ago. A number o companies rom previous Fast Track 100
league tables, including mobile phone retailer Carphone Warehouse and
microchip designer ARM, loated on the London Stock Exchange aterappearing on the league table.
The league table identiies the astest-growing private companies in a
cross-section o sectors, excluding technology companies, which are
covered in our sister league table, The Sunday Times Tech Track 100.
The 64 new entrants on this year's league table include online greeting
card retailer Moonpig.com (No 22), ashion retailer Cath Kidston (No 86)
and gol travel agency Your Gol Travel (No 15).
Top 10 Fast Track 100 companies
2009 Fast Track 100 www.asttrack.co.uk
compound annual growth rate between 2005/06 and 2008/09 * annualised igure accounts not iled at Companies House
Fast Track 100 Research Report 2009 1
Rank
2009
Company
Activity
Staff2
008/09
Founded
Sales
growth
%pa Sa
les2008/09
000
Rank
2008
HQlocation
PBT
Comment
Finan
cialy
eare
nd
1 Cyclesceme
Bike scheme administrator
Bath Feb 09 347.91 22,748 *253 27 2005 New client Rolls-Royce bought 1.2m o bikes
or employees in one month
2 Gio-Goi
Fashion wholesaler
Central London Mar 09 219.92 18,811 575 34 1988 Brand eatured in an MTV show with Pete
Doherty modelling its clothes
3 Empiric Solutions
Recruitment consultancy
Central London Aug 09 202.15 8,962 325 14 2005 Has around 50 core investment and asset
management clients including ING and Fortis
4 OygenInsurance broker
Central London Dec 08 189.80 17,021 699 177 2004 Has arranged cancellation insurance or
Madonna and U2 concerts
5 Eazyone
Mobile phone recycler
Cheshire Aug 09 176.69 36,246 *1,711 124 2001 Says it recycles up to 200,000 phones a month
through its Enviroone website
6 Mattressman
Mattress retailer
Norwich Mar 08 173.60 8,680 *424 44 2004 Stocks 5,000 bed rames and 3,000 mattresses
at any given time
7 I-Paye
Payroll services provider
Merseyside Mar 09 170.65 67,401 3,400 42 2005 Has 2,000 clients, many o whom are
contractors working abroad
8 7 Paladin Group
Property services provider
Bath Mar 09 170.25 20,450 *1,036 345 2000 Is moving into student letting, with a contract
signed to manage 1,000 student units
9 Ellas KitcenBaby ood producer
Henley Jun 09 156.16 *8,260 *491 10 2005 Its 30 products include avours such as
butternut squash, apple and prune
10 Catering Academy
Contract catering provider
Staordshire Dec 08 155.76 14,305 *855 593 2004 Its clients include the Health Protection Agency,
the University o Bolton and the YMCA
Paul Lindley, ounder o Ella's Kitchen (No 9), the baby
ood producer, with his daugther, Ella.
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KEY FINDINGS
Growt in sales
Fast Track 100 companies, on average, almost doubled their saleseach year between 2005/06 and 2008/09. Average compound
annual growth rate (CAGR) in sales over three years was 95%,
compared with 89% last year.
The combined sales o the 100 companies increased rom 500m to
2.6 billion over the last three years.
Almost two-thirds o companies (60%) had sales o more than 10m
in their latest year (2008/09).
The top-ranked company, which helps to administer the
government's Cycle to Work scheme, Cyclescheme, had average
sales growth o 348% a year, rom an annualised 253,000 in 2006to 22.7m in 2009. Last years top ranked company, Hotel Chocolat
Stores, had sales growth o 226% a year to 18.4m in 2008.
The 100th ranked company, retailer David Phillips Furniture, had
average sales growth o 53%, rom 3.5m in 2005 to 12.3m in
2008.
Sales o the 100 companies range rom the biggest, 309m (Acteon,
No 70), to the smallest, 5m (PJ Care, No 81) in their latest accounts.
2009 Fast Track 100 www.asttrack.co.uk
Fast Track 100 Research Report 2009 2
Oshore services provider, Acteon (No 70), has the biggestsales on the league table with 309m.
28
8
3>200%
151 - 200%
101 - 150%
76 - 100%
53 - 75%
0 10 20 30 40 50
Growt in sales
Number o companies in each growth range
20
41
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2009 Fast Track 100 www.asttrack.co.uk
Fast Track 100 Research Report 2009 3
Impact of te credit crunc
The Fast Track 100 requires all entrants to have reported a pre-tax proit
in their latest accounts and to be orecasting continued sales growth.
It thereore tends to include companies which are aring well despite
the current tough economic climate. In addition, more than hal (52)
the companies on the league table have their latest inancial year ends
in 2008, and thereore their growth has been measured over a period
which does not relect the ull impact o the recession:
On average, each company is orecasting sales growth o 33% or
the next year, which would take their combined sales rom 2.6bn to
3.5bn.
Over the last three years, companies as a whole have created 12,783
jobs, and now emply 17,421 people.
This years companies as a whole are more proitable than last
years Fast Track 100, reporting combined pre-tax proits o 198m,
compared to 165m last year.
29 companies rom last years league table have continued to grow
quickly enough to qualiy or a second year. Nine companies are
making a third consecutive appearance. Online ashion retailer
NET-A-PORTER.com (No 92) is eatured or the third time, but it would
have achieved our consecutive rankings had it not been classiied as a
Tech Track 100 company in 2007.
Some companies appear to have directly beneited rom the economic
downturn. For example, bargain-hunting consumers have brought six
new discount sector retailers and wholesalers onto this years table,including discount chain B&M Retail (no 97).
However, the companies are by no means immune rom the challenges
o the downturn, and there are still some signs o the recession on the
table:
Hal o the companies have seen their operating proit margins
reduced, as increased costs and downward pressure on prices have
taken eect.
Only a small minority managed to improve margins by more than 5%.
Between July 2008 and July 2009, only two o the companieseatured on the league table rasied VC unding, compared to 12
in the year leading up to July 2008. The two were digital design
consultancy Fjord (No 47), which raised 2.7m rom Beringea and
European und GP Bullhound in March 2009, and ashion label
Gio-Goi (No 2), which sold a 20% stake to brand manager Pentland
or an undisclosed amount in December 2008.
Net-A-Porter.com (No 92) ounder Natalie Masseneteatured or a third consecutive year.
B&M Retail (No 97) has 124 discount storesthroughout Britain and has taken over a numbero Kwik Save and Woolworths shops.
Gio-Goi (No 2) sold a 20% stake to Pentland inDecember 2008.
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Fast Track 100 Research Report 2009 4
2009 Fast Track 100 www.asttrack.co.uk
32Greater London
North
Southeast
Southwest
Midlands
East
Scotland
Wales
0 10 20 30 40
Regional reakdown
Number o companies in each region
18
22
12
7
3
Sales reakdown
Number o companies in each range
40
28
20
12>50m
20 - 49.9m
10 - 19.9m
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Fast Track 100 Research Report 2009 5
Funding and ownersip
76 o the companies are majority-owned by an entrepreneur and/or
ounder, such as organic baby ood producer Ellas Kitchen (No 9),
which was ounded by new ather and ormer Nickelodeon director
Paul Lindley in 2005. The company is still majority owned by Lindley
and his wie and now sells its products in Scandinavia and America.
Ten companies are majority-owned by venture capital, private equity
or business angels. Another our companies are backed by venture
capital, private equity or business angels who own more than 10%
o the business. These include oshore services provider Integrated
Subsea Services (No 73), which completed an MBO in April 2008 that
saw Bank o Scotland Corporate invest 80m or a 12% stake.
13 companies have made acquisitions in the last year, including Low
Cost Travel Group (No 20), which acquired airport transer services
provider ResortHoppa.com, and Miroma Group (No 23), which isexpanding the group to include a media members club and a number
o bars and nightclubs.
Sector and industry reakdown
Fast Track 100 companies represent a wide range o business sectors.
61 o the 100 companies and 6 o the top 10 companies are service
businesses such as bicycle scheme administrator Cyclescheme (No 1).
This compares with 68 last year.
20 o the companies provide recruitment services, compared with 24
last year, while 15 operate in the ood and drinks sector such as French
bakery Paul (No 95) and energy drinks maker Boost Drinks (No 44),
compared with 10 last year.
2009 Fast Track 100 www.asttrack.co.uk
Majority-ownersip reakdown inlatest year (2008/09)
Entrepreneur and/or
ounder 76
Management 13
Business Angels 5
Private equity and/or venture capital 5
Family 1
Ella's Kitchen (No 9) makes organic baby ood products
Industry reakdown in latest year (2008/09)
Number o companies in each sector
Recruitment 20
ConsumerGoods 16
Food and drink 15
Business services 12
Healthcare 7
Engineering 6
Leisure 6
Building related 5
Transport 5Telecoms 3
Finance 2
Media 2
Other 1
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LEAGUE TAbLE hIGhLIGhTS AND ExAMPLES
On the ollowing six pages we highlight some o the stories to emerge
rom this years league table:
businesses wit pulic-sector clients
15 companies on the league table, including No 1 company
Cyclescheme, generate business with government agencies, the NHS,
or other public-sector bodies such as local authorities. The league table
eatures three public-sector or medical recruitment agencies, three
care homes and two medical/dental practice groups, including Alliance
Surgical (No 18) and Denticare (No 93).
Companies wit female founders or co-founders
17 companies on the league table have emale ounders or co-ounders,including Net-A-Porter.com (No 92), Cath Kidston (No 86) and Higgidy
Pies (No 46).
Green usinesses
6 companies on the league table, including 3 out o the top 10
companies, operate green businesses. These include mobile phone
recycler Eazyone (No 5), energy-saving device distributor PowerPerector
(No 33), and renewable energy consultancy PMSS (No 71).
Opportunities provided y te credit crunc
There are 6 discount sector retailers and wholesalers on the table or
whom the downturn has provided increased opportunity. These include
ried chicken wholesaler SFC (Wholesale) (No 49), and sports nutrition
supplier Myprotein.co.uk (No 21). Both companies posted greater
increases in sales in their latest years than in previous years.
Companies taking advantage of new media
6 companies on the league table have an active online presence through
which they generate customer eedback and interact with their customer
base, including Higgidy Pies (No 46), Ellas Kitchen (No 9) and Myprotein.
co.uk (No 21).
2009 Fast Track 100 www.asttrack.co.uk
Fast Track 100 Research Report 2009 6
Myprotein.co.uk (No 21) has Facebook and
MySpace groups or customers to give eedback
and share experiences.
One o PMSS's (No 71) onshore wind arms.
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Fast Track 100 Research Report 2009 7
Top company profile
This years number one company highlights two o the trends
on the table. Cyclescheme has a number o public sector clients,
including nearly a third o all British councils and police orces. Italso has strong green credentials, helping employers administer the
governments Cycle to Work scheme, which is designed to alleviate
congestion and pollution.
Cyclescheme ounder, Gary Cooper
2009 Fast Track 100 www.asttrack.co.uk
1CyclescemeCycle to Work-scheme administrator
New client Rolls-Royce bought 1.2m worth o bikes or employeesin one month
CAGR 347.91%
Sales 2009 22.7m
Sales 2006 253,000*
Sta 2009 27
Founded 2005
Location Bath
Many companies have taken advantage o the governments green
policies and some have thrived on them. One o those is Cyclescheme,
which has cashed in on the Cycle to Work scheme, an initiative that wasintroduced in 1999 to promote healthier journeys to work and to reduceenvironmental pollution. It allows employers to provide their sta with
bicycles and saety equipment as a tax-ree beneft.
Cyclescheme provides administration or businesses that want to take part
in the scheme. It arranges the purchase o bicycles. Employers become the
owners o the bikes, and then hire them to their employees. Cycleschemeestimates that the average saving on bike purchases is between 30% and
50%.
The company says it runs Cycle to Work schemes or 8,500 employers
throughout Britain, including blue-chip frms and government agencies.
Its clients include Coca-Cola, the BBC, and a third o the countrys police
orces and councils. It has dealt with the purchase o more than 100,000bikes so ar. Rolls-Royce, a new customer, purchased 1,700 bicycles or its
sta in one month, at an average cost o 700.
Cyclescheme has developed an internet platorm that generates invoices,contracts and hire agreements online, making it simple to administer the
scheme, and hassle-ree or employers, employees and the 1,500 partner
cycle shops it works with.
Founders Richard Grigsby and Gary Cooper worked in the bicycle trade or
more than 20 years beore ounding Cyclescheme in 2005. Both are avidcyclists. Cooper had a youth racing career and later competed with road
bikes in France. Grigsby won a British championship racing recumbent
cycles. He also ound success designing road bikes and tested cycles as
a reelance journalist. Together the two ounded and ran a shop in Bathspecialising in olding bikes, and in 1999 launched Foldingbikes.co.uk,
now one o Europes leading specialists in this area. When a nationwideCycle to Work provider would not let their shop participate in the scheme,
their solution was to create their own rival scheme. It started with about
10 local shops that agreed to participate, but today the company says it
partners nearly every independent bicycle shop in Britain. This growth has
come thanks to help rom bike manuacturers such as Specialized, Trekand Giant, which encourage their dealers to join the scheme.
Grigsby and Cooper gave up their cycle shop nearly two years ago and
are confdent that Cyclescheme will keep growing. This year it won an
open government tender with the Department or Communities and
Local Government, making its scheme accessible to more than 3.5mgovernment employees.
compound annual growth rate between 2005/06 and 2008/09 * annualised igure audited accounts not iled at Companies House
how Cyclesceme runs its
Cycle to Work sceme:
1 Employer signs a contract
withCyclescheme and is given a code
or its online system.2 Employee chooses a bike and saety
equipment rom a partner cycle shop,
and requests the whole package
through the Cyclescheme website.
3 Employer approves the application and
pays Cyclescheme or the ull retail
amount.
4 Cyclescheme sends a voucher to the
employee, who uses it to claim his or
her bike rom the shop.
5 Employee pays or the bike in 12
instalments, deducted monthly rom
his or her gross salary, so saving onNational Insurance and tax. Most
employers also reclaim the cost o Vat
on cycles purchased, and pass this
saving on to employees.
6 On completion o the 12-month hire
term, the employer may oer the
employee ownership o the bike or a
air market value (typically 5%-15% o
its original price).
Cyclescheme makes money mainly by
charging participating cycle shops10%
commission on the price o the cycle and
any saety equipment that was sold as parto the package.
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Fast Track 100 Research Report 2009 8
44boost Drinks
Energy drink maker
Became the oicial energy drink or Glastonbury this year
CAGR 87.54%
Sales 2008 9.7m
Sales 2005 1.5m
Sta 2008 12
Founded 2001
Location Leeds
Festival-goers and students who need an energy boost may have a
cheaper alternative to Red Bull thanks to Boost Drinks. The Leeds
company was ounded by Simon Gray in 2001 and dierentiates itsel
rom big-brand rivals by selling value-sized 500ml and one-litre bottles
to petrol stations and newsagents. Today, it sells about 30m o its
drinks each year. Isotonic sports drinks and smoothies are the latest
additions to the Boost product line, and this year the company was the
ofcial energy drink supplier to Glastonbury.
45Stores DirectHeating products retailer Sells about 500 stoves and ireplaces each month rom its websites
CAGR 86.58%
Sales 2009 8.2m
Sales 2006 1.3m
Sta 2009 15
Founded 2001
Location Huddersield
Founder Mike Birtwhistle started out in 2001 selling stoves rom his garage
and delivering them in his Vauxhall Corsa. Today his frm Stores Direct
sells hundreds o stoves and freplaces each month through its brands
Stoves Are Us, Fireplaces Are Us and Stoves Direct. From its headquarters
in Huddersfeld, the company supplies everything rom marble freplaces
to wood-burning and dual-uel stoves, and says its high Google search
rankings help to boost sales. It has recently launched a bathroom products
website, and home urnishing and outdoor urniture sites are being
planned.
97b&M RetailDiscount retailer
Claims that more than 1.5m shoppers enter its stores each week
CAGR 54.60%
Sales 2008 255.9m
Sales 2005 69.3m*
Sta 2008 3,119
Founded 1976
Location Blackpool
This discount retail chain says it has opened one new store a week
throughout 2009 by acquiring empty Kwik Save and Woolworths
stores. Brothers Simon and Bobby Arora bought B&M Retail rom
Phildrew Ventures in 2004, having sold their previous business or a
reported 30m in 2000. They have expanded the company rapidly,
growing rom 21 stores to 140 high-street and retail-park outlets across
Britain. B&M Retail stores sell groceries and health and beauty products
but also stock toys, clothing and electrical equipment.
Companies tat ave enefited from downturn
Not everyone has seen their growth curtailed by the credit crunch: this
years league table eatures 6 discount retailers and wholesalers who
have seen increased opportunities thanks to the current economic
climate. Energy drink maker Boost Drinks (No 44) markets itsel as thevalue-end alternative to big brand energy drinks such as Red Bull, selling
large 500ml and 1L bottles. Fried chicken wholesaler SFC (Wholesale)
(No 49) sells more than 400 tonnes o ready cooked rozen ried
chicken each month and has outsourced its excess capacity production
through agreements with actories in six countries. Discount retailer
B&M Retail (No 97) has opened a new store each week in 2009 thanks
to taking over a number o Woolworths stores.
2009 Fast Track 100 www.asttrack.co.uk
compound annual growth rate between 2005/06 and 2008/09 * annualised igure audited accounts not iled at Companies House
Stores Direct (No 45) managing director,Mike Birtwistle.
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Fast Track 100 Research Report 2009 9
Companies wit pulic sector clients
This years league table has 15 companies that do a signiicant
amount o work with government agencies and other public-sector
bodies. Building contractor Lie Build Solutions (No 14) generates
80% o its turnover rom educational authorities, schools and social
housing projects. Medical surgery group Alliance Surgical (No 18)
manages more than 1,200 NHS consultants who also work privately
Medical equipment provider Asteral (No 38) has contracts with 7 NHS
trusts to provide and maintain equipment such as x-ray machines and
scanners.
14Life build SolutionsBuilding contractor
Recently completed a 2.5m project or Pinewood Studios opened by
the Queen
CAGR 139.65%
Sales 2008 15.0m
Sales 2005 1.1m
Sta 2008 15
Founded 2005
Location Buckinghamshire
This Buckinghamshire contractor undertakes building projects,
reurbishment and it-outs, mainly or clients in the Thames Valley
region. Most o its clients are public-sector bodies such as education
authorities and housing associations, but Lie Build Solutions has also
constructed ilm laboratories or the studios that produce the James
Bond movies. Founded in 2005 by managing director Ken Adams
and operations director Mike Wilde, the company recently launched a
subsidiary to buy land and develop its own projects.
18
Alliance SurgicalMedical surgery group
450 NHS consultants are shareholders in the business
CAGR 131.22%
Sales 2009 5.9m
Sales 2006 477,000
Sta 2009 29
Founded 2005
Location Birmingham
This Birmingham company provides surgery services, managing more
than 1,200 NHS consultants who also work privately, doing knee and
hip replacements, hernia operations, breast reconstruction and other
treatments. Chairman Paul Howlett and director Ann Copsey ounded
the business in 2005 ater working with consultants and surgeries to
bid or insurance and NHS contracts.
38Asteral
Medical equipment provider
Handles the supply and maintenance o scanners and x-ray machines
to hospitals
CAGR 94.42%
Sales 2009 14.3m
Sales 2006 1.9m
Sta 2009 43
Founded 2003
Location Reading
Medical sta in seven NHS hospitals across Britain can ocus more
on patient care and less on managing equipment thanks to Asteral.
The Reading company supplies, inances, and manages hospital
technology such as x-ray machines and scanners, and also provides
maintenance and sta. Founded in 2003 by director Stephen
Hodgson, the company is in the inal stages o a contract to
design, install and maintain the medical and diagnostic equipment
or an entire acute care hospital that is due to open next year in
Peterborough. The company is owned by the investment irm Brook
Henderson Group, which provided start-up unding.
2009 Fast Track 100 www.asttrack.co.uk
compound annual growth rate between 2005/06 and 2008/09 * annualised igure audited accounts not iled at Companies House
Asteral (No 38) MD David Role with director
Steve Hodgson with a CT scanner.
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Fast Track 100 Research Report 2009 10
67Zaa hadidArchitect
Designs include the Z.CAR, a hydrogen-powered, three-wheeled
automobile
CAGR 67.43%
Sales 2008 26.2m
Sales 2005 5.6m
Sta 2008 241
Founded 1980
Location Central London
Known or its avant-garde designs, this London frm o architects was
ounded in 1980 by Zaha Hadid. In 1994 she became the frst woman
to win the Pritzker prize or architecture, and in 2006 she was given herown retrospective at New Yorks Guggenheim Museum. The companys
projects have included the Serpentine Pavilion Gallery and the Mind
Zone at theMillennium Dome, and it is now designing the aquatic centre
or the London 2012 Olympic Games. In 2000 the company appointed
the renowned architect Patrik Schumacher as a partner, and it has
recently won big commissions in theMiddle East, one o them to design
a perorming arts centre in Abu Dhabi.
68Igloo booksBook publisher
Publishes around 250 titles each year rom baby nutrition guides togardening handbooks
CAGR 67.36%
Sales 20089 7.7m
Sales 2005 1.6m
Sta 2008 32
Founded 2003
Location Northampton
It may not be a household name, but Igloo Books is behind many o
the childrens and adult novelty books sold in discount retailers such as
TJ Hughes, PoundStretcher, The Works and Asda. The Northampton
company prints some 25m books each year rom childrens activity
books to cookbooks and adult git books, and generates more than hal
its sales abroad, mainly in America, mainland Europe and Australasia.
Directors and co-ounders John Styring and Tracey Lewis have kept the
company growing even as customers such as Woolworths closed down.
82
Go Ape
Adventure course operatorSays that nearly 2m customers have completed a course
CAGR 60.19%
Sales 2008 8.5m
Sales 2005 2.1m
Sta 2008 198
Founded 2002
Location Suolk
Humans can release their inner ape or a day with this Suolk company
that has 22 tree-top adventure courses across Britain. Go Ape was
ounded in 2002 by Tristram and Rebecca Mayhew ater a holiday
in the Auvergne National Forest in France. The duo now claim that
nearly 2m customers have completed their courses, typically in groups
including stag and hen parties and corporate away days. Because o
the recession, the company delayed opening one site earlier this year
and scrapped plans or a course in Glasgow but it is still planning to
expand into America and Australia next year.
Companies wit female founders
17 companies on this years Fast Track 100 league table have emale
ounders or co-ounders. They include ashion retailers NET-A-PORTER.com
(No 92) and Cath Kidston (No 86), along with training course provider
Lietime (No 69), and the companies below.
2009 Fast Track 100 www.asttrack.co.uk
compound annual growth rate between 2005/06 and 2008/09 * annualised igure audited accounts not iled at Companies House
Zaha Hadid's (No 67) hydrogen-powered Z-CAR
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Fast Track 100 Research Report 2009 11
Companies wit green credentials
Many o the companies on this years Fast Track 100 boast green
credentials. These include voltage optimisation technology provider
PowerPerector (No 33), which distributes Japanese technology that
cuts energy use and carbon emissions by up to 20%. Also included
are renewable energy consultancy PMSS (No 71), recycler Universal
Recycling (No 63), Cycle to Work-scheme administrator Cyclescheme
(No 1), baby ood producer Ella's Kitchen (No 9), and mobile phone
recycler Eazyone (No 5).
5EazyfoneMobile phone recycler
Says it recycles up to 200,000 phones per month through its
Enviroone website
CAGR
176.69%Sales 2009 36.2m
Sales 2006 1.7m*
Sta 2009 124
Founded 2001
Location Cheshire
I you have an old mobile phone handset tucked away in a drawersomewhere, you may want to sell it to this online reseller under its
Enviroone brand, Eazyone buys mobile phones rom individuals and
sells them to customers in mainland Europe and the Far East. The
Cheshire company claims to buy up to 200,000 mobile phone handsets
a month. It also works with charities and schools to recycle old
handsets. The Company was ounded by ather and son Cos and Peter
Petrondas in 2001, and is now run by chie executive Nicholas Brown.
33PowerPerfectorEnergy-saving device distributor
Says its technology can save clients an average o 13% in electricity
costs
CAGR 97.21%
Sales 2008 11.6m
Sales 2005 1.5m
Sta 2008 26
Founded 2004
Location Central London
Businesses that use the Japanese technology supplied by
PowerPerector can cut their carbon emissions and electricity bills by
13% on average, according to the London company. Its units allow
electrical equipment to work at its optimal voltage, maximising energy
efciency. The companys frst UK installation was or Tesco in 2001,
and today it has about 1,500 units throughout the country, with
customers such as Land Registry, Sainsburys and government bodies.
71
PMSSRenewable energy consultancy
Claims to have provided expertise to more than 1,000 renewable
energy projects
CAGR 65.97%
Sales 2009 6.0m
Sales 2006 1.3m
Sta 2009 65
Founded 1994
Location Romsey
PMSS says it has provided its consultancy and support services
to more than 1,000 renewable-energy projects across the globe.
Founded when the sector was in its inancy, the Hampshire-based
company helps with the development, engineering and construction
o onshore and oshore wind arms as well as wave and tidal,
biomass and solar energy projects. Its clients include project
developers, wind turbine makers and investors, and it is currently
working on projects including one o the worlds largest oshore
wind arm in the Thames estuary. Founders Alan Chivers and Robert
Waddington worked on some o Britains irst wind energy projects
beore starting the company in 1994.
2009 Fast Track 100 www.asttrack.co.uk
compound annual growth rate between 2005/06 and 2008/09 * annualised igure audited accounts not iled at Companies House
PMSS (No 71) provides advice and other
services to renewable-energy projects.
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9Ellas Kitcen
Baby ood producer
Its 30 products include lavours such as butternut squash, appleand prune
CAGR 156.16%
Sales 2009 8.3m*
Sales 2006 491,000*
Sta 2009 10
Founded 2005
Location Henley
Struggling to get his young daughter to eat vegetables drove Paul
Lindley to create Ellas Kitchen. The company aims to make healthy
eating easy or both children and parents, using only organic produce
with no additives or preservatives. The business was launched in 2006
with two avours o kids lunch-box ruit smoothies sold in Sainsburys,
but today the company sells 30 products in avour combinations such
as butternut squash, carrots, apple and prune.
21Myprotein.co.ukSports nutrition supplier
Supplies sports nutrition to the current winner o Britain's StrongestMan competition
CAGR 125.82%
Sales 2009 9.8m
Sales 2006 848,000
Sta 2009 50
Founded 2004
Location Manchester
Anyone who wants nutritional supplements to improve their sporting
perormance may go to Myprotein.co.uk. The Manchester company
makes and distributes protein powders and drinks, perormance and
recovery aids as well as vitamins and minerals. Its hundreds o products
include high-protein apjacks and green tea extract powder. Founder
Oliver Cookson says buying ingredients in bulk and passing the savings
on to customers has kept business booming the company says it
ships more than 5,000 orders each week.
46
higgidy PiesPie maker
Sells its British quiches to a ca in France
CAGR 85.68%
Sales 2009 5.6m
Sales 2006 872,000
Sta 2009 106
Founded 2003
Location West Sussex
Giving one o Britains staple oods a makeover is th mission o Higgidy
Pies, whose hand-made pies and quiches come in lavours such as
Moroccan vegetable with eta and smoked salmon with pesto. Founder
Camilla Stephens developed ood products or the Seattle Coee
Company and Starbucks beore ounding the business in 2003. In 2006
she won a contest to supply the Sainsburys supermarket chain. Today
the company produces 65,000 pies and quiches each week and sells
them through retailers such as Booths and Waitrose. The company is
doubling its pie production acilities to keep up with growing demand.
Companies using new media to reac customers
Some companies on the Fast Track 100 have demonstrated a
commitment to going above and beyond customer service to engage
and retain customers, oten taking advantage o the internet to generateinterest and eedback or products. Nutritional supplement provider
Myprotein.co.uk (No 21) has an online presence on Facebook and
Myspace. Organic baby ood producer Ellas Kitchen (No 9) encourages
customers to send in photos o their babies to post on the company
website. Gourmet pie maker Higgidy Pies (No 46) oers customers the
chance to register online to become pie tasters and name new products.
2009 Fast Track 100 www.asttrack.co.uk
compound annual growth rate between 2005/06 and 2008/09 * annualised igure audited accounts not iled at Companies House
Camilla Stephens, ounder o Higgidy Pies (No 46)
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Fast Track 100 Research Report 2009 13
Companies wit staying power
Fast Track 100 companies are typically young and dynamic. There
are 29 companies rom last years Fast Track 100 league table which
make a second appearance this year. Nine make a third consecutiveappearance, and online ashion retailer NET-A-PORTER.com (No 92)
would have appeared our consecutive years, except that in 2007
it was classiied as a Tech Track 100 company. There are also three
companies that reappeared on this years Fast Track 100, having
not eatured since the 2007 league table: Financial services provider
Richmond Group (No 62), wine exchange operator Liv-ex (No 59), and
media agency AdConnection (No 85).
Companies on consecutive Fast Track 100 league
tales since 2006
2009 Fast Track 100 www.asttrack.co.uk
compound annual growth rate between 2005/06 and 2008/09 * annualised igure audited accounts not iled at Companies House
Silver Cross (No 36) have appeared on three consecutiveleague tables
42 (n/a) 65 92 NET-A-PORTER.com
Online ashion retailer
Central London 56.54 81,546 21,258 376 2000 Has raised more than 10m in unding
since 2000
10 49 74 InvestigoRecruitment consultancy
Central London 64.51 28,840 6,478 59 2003 Acts as primary supplier o fnance sta
to Alliance Boots, Coca-Cola and Lloyds
12 3 36 Silver Cross
Pram maker
Skipton, Yorkshire 95.67 17,484 2,334 41 1877 Founded in 1877, now sells to retailers
and direct to public on its own website
16 52 73 Integrated Susea Services
Oshore services provider
Aberdeen 64.67 87,626 19,623 472 2002 Recently opened ofces in Singapore
and Australia
18 7 8 Paladin Group
Property services provider
Bath 170.25 20,450 *1,036 345 2000 Is moving into student letting, with
a contract signed to manage 1,000
student units
30 31 40 DanroPayroll services provider
Blackpool 91.63 51,080 7,259 1,363 2000 Client list includes 1,500 IT contractors
and 1,100 limited companies
65 59 89 Maria Mallaand Care Group
Care home operator
Leeds 58.85 31,834 7,942 1,303 1996 Supplies 1,200 beds in 54 care homes,
including one in Jersey
67 32 54 Gloal Resourcing
IT recruitment consultancy
Bromley, Kent 77.89 14,782 2,626 38 1997 Operates globally, including in America,
Hong Kong, Singapore, and Kazakhstan
73 80 76 henleys ClotingFashion wholesaler
Manchester 63.45 37,952 8,691 191 1996 Says it is one o Shop Direct's top sellingbrands
88 57 70 ActeonOshore services provider
Norwich 66.37 309,154 *67,139 1,595 1989 Group comprises 15 companies with
services including oilwell decommissioning
Rank
2007
Company
Activity
pa
Sales
2008/09
Rank
2006
Sales
growth
000s
Sales
2005/06
000s
HQlocation
Staff2
008/09
Founded
Rank
2008
Comment
Rank
2009
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METhODOLOGY
Qualification
The companies on the Fast Track 100 league table must meet the
ollowing criteria:
Unquoted
Registered in the UK
Non-subsidiary, independent
Not a technology company
Annualised sales o at least 250,000 in the base year (2005 or 2006)
Annualised sales o at least 5m in their latest year (2008 or 2009)
Year-on-year sales growth rom penultimate to latest year, and aorecast o growth in sales in the next year
More than 25 trading weeks in the base and inal years
No outstanding court judgements exceeding 10,000
Researc approac
The research was conducted primarily between 1 August and 1
November 2009.
The inal 100 companies are ranked by average annual growth in sales
over three years, either 2005 to 2008 or 2006 to 2009, depending
on their latest available accounts. Companies were selected rom a
database o more than 1.5m private UK companies ater extensive
database and telephone research.
2009 Fast Track 100 www.asttrack.co.uk
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2009 FAST TRACK 100 LEAGUE TAbLE
compound annual growth rate between 2005/06 and 2008/09 * annualised igure audited accounts not iled at Companies House
2009 Fast Track 100 www.asttrack.co.uk
Rank20
09
Compan
y
Activity
Staff20
08/09
Founded
Salesgr
owth
%
pa
Sales20
08/09
000
Rank20
08
HQloca
tion
Sales20
05/06
000
Commen
t
Finan
cialyea
rend
1 CyclescemeBike scheme administrator
Bath Feb 09 347.91 22,748 *253 27 2005 New client Rolls-Royce bought 1.2m obikes or employees in one month
2 Gio-GoiWholesale ashion label
Central London Mar 09 219.92 18,811 575 34 1988 Brand eatured in an MTV show with PeteDoherty modeling its clothes
3 Empiric SolutionsRecruitment consultancy
Central London Aug 09 202.15 8,962 325 14 2005 Has around 50 core investment and assetmanagement clients including ING and Fortis
4 OygenInsurance broker
Central London Dec 08 189.80 17,021 699 177 2004 Has arranged cancellation insurance orMadonna and U2 concerts
5 EazyoneMobile phone recycler
Cheshire Aug 09 176.69 36,246 *1,711 125 2001 Says it recycles up to 200,000 phones permonth through its Enviroone website
6 MattressmanMattress retailer
Norwich Mar 08 173.60 8,680 *424 44 2004 Says it stocks 5,000 bed rames and 3,000mattresses at any given time
7 I-PayePayroll services provider
Merseyside Mar 09 170.65 67,401 3,400 42 2005 Has around 2,000 clients, many o whomare contractors working abroad
8 7 Paladin GroupProperty services provider
Bath Mar 09 170.25 20,450 *1,036 345 2000 Is moving into student letting, with a contractsigned to manage 1,000 student units
9 Ellas KitcenBaby ood producer
Henley Jun 09 156.16 *8,260 *491 10 2005 Its 30 products include avours such asbutternut squash, apple and prune
10 Catering AcademyContract catering provider
Staordshire Dec 08 155.76 14,305 *855 593 2004 Its clients include the Health Protection Agency,the University o Bolton and the YMCA
11 Genuine SolutionsTelecoms product reseller
Surrey Jan 09 153.52 6,258 *384 64 2004 Supplies mobile phone accessories to 800independent retailers in 24 countries
12 Getting PersonalOnline git retailer
Cheshire May 09 148.78 6,282 408 29 2005 Founders met at antenatal classes
13 Rize RecruitmentTelecoms recruitment consultancy
Islington Mar 09 144.85 8,370 *570 19 2005 Says it has placed Colombian workers inAghanistan, and Filipinos in Madagascar
14 Lie build SolutionsBuilding contractor
Buckinghamshire Dec 08 139.65 15,002 *1,090 15 2005 Recently completed a 2.5m project orPinewood Studios opened by the Queen
15 Your Gol TravelGol travel agency
Central London Dec 08 139.35 7,415 *541 52 2005 Its call-centre sta are mostly keen golers whoadvise travellers on best golfng deals
16 Team24Medical recruitment consultancy
Surrey Apr 09 133.97 13,401 *1,046 52 2005 Claims to place more than 1,000 doctorsand nurses a week
17 Redrock ConsultingRecruitment consultancy
Bristol Mar 08 131.41 *15,372 *1,240 21 2005 Clients include Orange, Motorola andAlcatel-Lucent
18 Alliance SurgicalMedical surgery group
Birmingham Mar 09 131.22 5,895 *477 29 2005 450 NHS consultants are shareholders inthe business
19 State OilPetroleum wholesaler
Weybridge Feb 09 128.00 147,199 12,419 14 1999 Claims to be the ourth-largest independentoil importer in the UK
20 Low Cost Travel GroupTravel operator
West Sussex Oct 08 127.03 50,732 4,336 72 2004 Has booked holidays or 1.2m people thisyear
21 Myprotein.co.ukSports nutrition supplier
Manchester Sep 09 125.82 9,764 848 50 2004 Supplies sports nutrition to the current winnero Britains Strongest Man competition
22 Moonpig.comOnline git retailer
Central London Apr 09 125.60 20,906 1,821 65 1999 Says it will sell 10m o its personalisedgreeting cards this year
23 47 MiromaMedia barter company
Central London Jun 09 118.22 20,257 1,949 14 2003 Launched an ofce in Singapore this year
24 E-ResourcingIT recruitment consultancy Epsom Jun 09 115.01 5,641 567 14 2005 Customers include the NHS, Logica andToyota
25 Net VenturesRecruitment consultancy
Central London Dec 08 111.32 8,292 *879 25 2001 75% o its sales are currently generatedoverseas
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2009 Fast Track 100 www.asttrack.co.uk
compound annual growth rate between 2005/06 and 2008/09 * annualised igure audited accounts not iled at Companies House
26 13 Interim PartnersRecruitment consultancy
Harrogate Dec 08 110.53 9,377 1,005 17 2003 Launched a mid-market recruitment divisionin September
27 Kite Consulting GroupIT recruitment consultancy
Central London Aug 09 110.19 7,914 852 20 2005 Clients include Balour Beatty, Barclays andAviva
28 Olive CateringContract caterer
Warwickshire Dec 08 104.09 9,225 1,085 368 2004 Recently won contracts with Heinz andCapital One
29 Gloal Energy GroupEnergy services provider
Aberdeen Mar 08 103.00 94,309 11,274 425 2005 Has hired two Olympic biathlete skiers tolead sta development
30 Fine Green AssociatesRecruitment consultancy
Manchester Jun 09 102.94 10,861 *1,299 18 2005 Supplies non-clinical management sta tothe NHS and private healthcare organisations
31 ONEPOSTPostal managment advisor
Bristol Jun 09 100.62 28,415 3,519 44 2005 Its 230 clients include the National Trust andthe British Red Cross
32 AM PMCash and carry wholesaler
Scunthorpe Aug 08 99.52 5,332 *671 12 2004 Cash and carry chain started in an oldsewing machine actory with 5,000 o stock
33 PowerPerectorEnergy-saving device distributor
Central London Dec 08 97.21 11,557 1,507 26 2004 Says its technology can save clients anaverage o 13% in electricity costs
34 Cesterfeld PoultryHalal poultry seller
Derbyshire Jun 08 97.02 17,487 2,286 86 1999 Processes up to 120,000 halal chickenseach week
35 Directline holidaysOnline travel operator
Croydon Oct 08 96.22 11,398 1,509 61 1993 Has developed sotware that can tailorholidays to customers requirements
36 3 Silver CrossPram maker
Skipton Dec 08 95.67 17,484 2,334 41 1877 Founded in 1877, now sells to retailers anddirect to public on its own website
37 4 jjFOxRecruitment consultancy
Bristol Dec 08 94.87 13,691 1,850 100 2004 Company's 2008 Christmas party raised44,000 to start a charitable oundation
38 29 AsteralMedical equipment provider
Reading Mar 09 94.42 14,277 1,943 43 2003 Handles the supply and maintenance oscanners and x-ray machines to hospitals
39 N A C holdingsBusiness consultancy
Sunderland Jul 08 92.87 7,598 1,059 40 2003 Helps improve business efciency atImperial College Hospital and JCB
40 31 DanroPayroll services provider
Blackpool Mar 09 91.63 51,080 7,259 1363 2000 Client list includes 1,500 IT contractors and1,100 limited companies
41 19 hoson PriorRecruitment consultancy
Tunbridge Wells Jul 08 91.04 10,267 1,473 20 2002 Has recently ormed strategic partnershipswith companies in Switzerland and Germany
42 22 ea Consulting GroupBusiness management consultancy
Twickenham Mar 09 88.99 25,111 3,720 32 1998 Founded to manage change arising romthe introduction o the euro
43 Motor FuelFuel retailer
North WestLondon
Aug 08 87.73 121,905 *18,425 237 2004 Has acquired more than 20 petrol stationsin the past three years
44 boost DrinksEnergy drink maker
Leeds Oct 08 87.54 9,654 1,464 12 2001 Became the ofcial energy drink orGlastonbury this year
45 Stores DirectHeating products retailer
Huddersfeld Apr 09 86.58 8,224 1,266 15 2001 Sells about 500 stoves and freplaces eachmonth rom its websites
46 higgidy PiesPie maker
West Sussex Sep 09 85.68 5,586 872 106 2003 Sells its British quiches to a ca in France
47 FjordDigital design consultancy
Central London Dec 08 82.36 6,641 1,095 88 2001 Has ofces in London, Berlin, Helsinki andNew York
48 Josep JosepHousehold goods supplier
Central London May 09 82.11 6,477 1,072 21 2003 Sells 250 product lines through storesincluding John Lewis and House o Fraser
49 SFC (Wolesale)Fried chicken wholesaler Merseyside Mar 09 80.81 12,511 2,117 12 2004 Claims to sell more than 400 tonnes orozen chicken products each month
50 DimarkEthnic ood distributor
North London Dec 08 80.60 5,077 862 15 2003 Is one o Britains largest importers o Polishand Eastern European ood
Rank20
09
Compan
y
Activity
Staff20
08/09
Founded
Salesgr
owth
%
pa
Sales20
08/09
000
Rank20
08
HQloca
tion
Sales20
05/06
000
Commen
t
Finan
cialyea
rend
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2009 Fast Track 100 www.asttrack.co.uk
compound annual growth rate between 2005/06 and 2008/09 * annualised igure audited accounts not iled at Companies House
51 Easi-Drive Accident ManagementAccident services provider
Manchester Mar 08 80.59 *12,857 2,183 96 2001 Says its customers drive 1m miles a year inthe replacement vehicles it provides
52 15 PracticusInterim management consultancy
Henley Dec 08 79.17 33,274 5,786 49 2004 Opened ofces in Amsterdam and Australiaearlier this year
53 World FirstForeign exchange broker
SouthwestLondon
Jan 09 78.86 5,579 975 54 2004 Its most popular currencies traded are eurosand dollars
54 32 Gloal ResourcingIT recruitment consultancy
Bromley Dec 08 77.89 14,782 2,626 38 1997 Operates globally, including in America,Hong Kong, Singapore, and Kazakhstan
55 5 Te book DepositoryOnline book retailer
Gloucester Jun 09 77.79 61,421 10,929 39 2004 Founder was part o the team that launchedAmazon in Britain
56 Oliver James AssociatesRecruitment consultancy
Central London Dec 08 77.57 6,986 1,248 24 2002 Places around 20 candidates each monthwith blue-chip insurance frms
57 Amer TavernsPub operator
Preston Jan 09 76.74 7,019 *1,271 10 2005 Purchased 23 pubs rom the administratorsin April, saving around 100 jobs
58 12 Allen LanePublic sector recruitment consultancy
Central London May 09 76.43 23,644 4,305 19 2004 Clients include Osted and the LondonBusiness School
59 Liv-eWine exchange operator
SouthwestLondon
Dec 08 75.70 27,145 5,005 21 1999 Produces an index ranking the world's top100 wines or investment
60 62 People Source ConsultingIT recruitment consultancy
Bristol Mar 09 74.27 6,480 1,224 22 2002 Claims to have clients in every industrysector
61 ToppesfeldRoad suracer
Ipswich May 08 74.23 10,549 *1,994 33 2004 Recently completed a 1m resuracing projecton behal o Transport or London
62 Ricmond GroupFinancial services provider
Bournemouth Mar 09 71.96 36,301 7,139 372 1999 Sta, customers and company raised150,000 or local charities
63 Universal RecyclingMetal waste recycler
South Yorkshire Oct 08 71.48 47,637 9,447 72 1976 A renewable uel power plant now providesa third o all its electricity requirements
64 bLU 3 (UK)Inrastructure services provider
Croydon Mar 08 70.87 14,283 2,863 77 2004 Clients include Tesco, Transport or Londonand EDF Energy
65 Opti-cal Survey EquipmentSurvey equipment supplier
Reading Aug 09 70.35 5,039 1,019 17 2002 Supplies equipment to projects includingthe London 2012 Olympics and Crossrail
66 18 Mayday healtcareMedical recruitment consultancy
Central London Sep 08 70.14 29,710 6,033 55 2003 Claims its ofces have not closed in fve anda hal years
67 Zaa hadidArchitecture frm
Central London Apr 08 67.43 26,231 5,588 241 1980 Designs include the Z.CAR, a hydrogen-powered, three-wheeled automobile
68 Igloo booksBook publisher
Northampton Mar 08 67.36 7,728 1,649 32 2003 Publishes about 250 titles each year rom babynutrition guides to gardening books
69 LietimeEmployee training provider
Bristol Mar 09 66.40 9,793 2,126 157 1997 Founder worked as a teacher and aerobicsinstructor beore setting up the business
70 57 ActeonOshore services provider
Norwich Dec 08 66.37 309,154 *67,139 1595 1989 Group comprises 15 companies withservices including oilwell decommissioning
71 PMSSRenewable energy consultancy
Romsey Mar 09 65.97 5,963 1,304 65 1994 Claims to have provided expertise to more than1,000 renewable energy projects
72 McKinney RogersBusiness perormance consultancy
Central London Apr 09 65.10 11,042 2,454 59 1999 Stint in the Royal Marines led ounder toadapt military principles to the business
73 52 Integrated Susea ServicesOshore services provider
Aberdeen Sep 08 64.67 87,626 19,623 472 2002 Recently opened ofces in Singapore andAustralia
74 49 InvestigoRecruitment consultancy Central London Jun 09 64.51 28,840 6,478 59 2003 Acts as primary supplier o fnance sta toAlliance Boots, Coca-Cola and Lloyds
75 Timoty James ConsultingRecruitment consultancy
Bristol Oct 08 63.63 5,428 1,239 30 2003 Candidates placed typically earn salaries obetween 80,00 and 100,000
Rank20
09
Compan
y
Activity
Staff20
08/09
Founde
d
Salesgr
owth
%
pa
Sales20
08/09
000
Rank20
08
HQloca
tion
Sales20
05/06
000
Commen
t
Finan
cialyea
rend
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2009 Fast Track 100 www.asttrack.co.uk
compound annual growth rate between 2005/06 and 2008/09 * annualised igure audited accounts not iled at Companies House
76 80 henleys ClotingFashion wholesaler
Manchester Mar 09 63.45 37,952 8,691 191 1996 Says it is one o Shop Direct's top sellingbrands
77 44 holiday TaisAirport transer provider
West Sussex Dec 08 63.41 12,238 2,805 48 2002 Founder set up company ater ThomasCook made him redundant
78 MSS GroupFacilities management consultancy
Cardi Mar 09 62.52 7,367 *1,716 287 2005 Its clients include Superdrug, Rockwool andScottish Power
79 67 Sprue AegisSaety products manuacturer
Coventry Dec 08 61.86 9,368 2,209 22 2000 Says it supplies 85% o British freauthorities with its smoke alarms
80 bond Aviation GroupHelicopter operator
Cheltenham Mar 09 67.35 81,005 17,283 400 1999 Flies crews to and rom drilling platorms inthe North Sea
81 PJ CareCare home operator
Milton Keynes Mar 08 60.25 5,002 1,215 155 2000 Recently acquired a training company toenable it to train its own sta
82 71 Go ApeAdventure course operator
Suolk Dec 08 60.19 8,479 2,063 198 2002 Says that nearly 2m customers havecompleted a course
83 70 Fast & Fres RestaurantsSubway sandwich ranchiser
Preston Jun 08 59.84 10,643 2,606 388 2000 Recent openings include restaurants atLiverpool airport
84 Caracter WorldLicensed textile manuacturer
Cheshire Dec 08 59.65 20,813 5,115 47 1998 Recently launched a Spiderman duvet set
85 AdConnectionMedia agency
Wimbledon Mar 09 59.56 14,633 3,602 18 2001 New clients include Grosvenor Casinos andTrinidad and Tobago's tourist board
86 Cat KidstonFashion retailer
Central London Mar 09 59.46 31,294 7,718 275 1993 Recently published a book o sewing projectsdesigned or use with its abric patterns
87 23 Applied Language SolutionsTranslation service provider
Manchester May 09 59.16 6,257 1,552 102 2003 Claims to have a network o more than16,000 linguists around the world
88 37 balousie Care GroupCare home operator
Dundee Apr 09 59.02 12,734 3,167 530 2005 Founder appeared on Channel 4s SecretMillionaire this year
89 59 Maria Mallaand Care GroupCare home operator
Leeds Apr 08 58.85 31,834 7,942 1303 1996 Supplies 1,200 beds in 54 care homes,including one in Jersey
90 Voice MoileMobile phone reseller
Birmingham Dec 08 58.66 7,120 1,782 21 2001 Says it supplies mobile phones to one inevery our British police ofcers
91 8 Manpower DirectSecurity services provider
Essex Jun 08 58.00 7,399 1,876 240 2003 Started in a converted warehouse by agroup o engineering graduates
92 65 NET-A-PORTER.comOnline ashion retailer
Central London Jan 09 56.54 81,546 21,258 376 2000 Has raised more than 10m in undingsince 2000
93 DenticareDental practice operator
Bedord Mar 08 56.47 5,125 1,338 55 2005 Provides fnancial assistance to helpcontinental dentists relocate to Britain
94 EurospanBook distributor
Central London Dec 08 56.09 5,472 1,439 27 1967 Distributes books rom publishers such as theWorld Bank and Stanord University Press
95 PaulBakery and patisserie
Central London Dec 08 55.71 18,901 5,006 413 2000 Claims it sold more than 300,000 croissantsand 70,000 strawberry tartlettes last year
96 1 hotel Cocolat StoresChocolate retailer
Hertordshire Jun 09 55.16 21,788 5,833 287 2004 Recently opened two stores in America, andwill have ranchises in Dubai and Kuwait
97 b&M RetailDiscount retailer
Blackpool Dec 08 54.60 255,922 *69,259 3119 1976 Claims that more than 1.5m shoppers enterits stores each week
98 CMC PartnersipBusiness management consultancy
South Wales Jan 09 53.30 13,262 3,681 50 2000 Clients inclue the Ministry o Deence, theForeign Ofce and the Welsh Assembly
99 Outsource UKRecruitment consultancy Swindon May 09 53.29 18,234 5,062 21 1991 Company was ounded in themanaging directors spare bedroom
100 David Pillips FurnitureFurniture retailer
Central London Mar 08 52.92 12,273 3,432 73 1997 Furnished more than 100 apartments inCyprus this year
Rank20
09
Compan
y
Activity
Staff20
08/09
Founded
Salesgr
owth
%
pa
Sales20
08/09
000
Rank20
08
HQloca
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Sales20
05/06
000
Commen
t
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2009 Fast Track 100 www.asttrack.co.uk
AbOUT ThE SPONSORS
Fast Track would particularly like to thank the title sponsor o Fast
Track 100, the Virgin Group, and our media partner, The Sunday
Times, or their support through all 13 years.
We would also like to thank HSBC or its sixth year o sponsorship,
and KPMG and Royal Mail or their second years o sponsorship.
Virgin is the title sponsor o Fast Track 100.
Virgin was ounded in 1970 by Sir Richard Branson. The group
now has more than 200 branded companies worldwide in sectors
spanning airlines, trains, mobile phones, fnancial services and
ftness clubs, as well as sustainable technologies.
Sir Ricard branson is president o Virgin Group. He is currently
growing Virgin's international business and Virgin Unite, the
Group's not-or-proft entrepreneurial oundation.
www.virgin.com
Sir Ricard branson
President
The Sunday Times is the media sponsor.
The Sunday Times is Britain's leading Sunday broadsheet
newspaper, attracting three million readers every week. It is the
leading business newspaper with a business readership o over500,000, three times more than its nearest rival The Sunday
Telegraph.
Jon Waples is the business editor. He was previously deputy
business editor and city editor, and has been at the paper or
14 years.
www.timesonline.co.uk
Jon Waples
Business editor
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2009 Fast Track 100 www.asttrack.co.uk
Royal Mail is a main sponsor.
Royal Mail can help a business grow by inding it new
customers, retaining the ones it has, and helping it to save time
and money. Royal Mail has thousands o ideas, products and
services designed to help businesses grow.
Tim Rivett is head o small business. He has been at Royal
Mail or seven years, and is primarily involved with new product
development and working with the small business community.
www.royalmail.com/growth
Tim Rivett
Head o Small Business
HSBC is a main sponsor.
hSbC bank is a principal member o the HSBC Group, one o
the worlds largest banking and inancial services organisations
with around 9,500 oices in 85 countries and territories.
Steve Price is head o commercial Banking having joined
HSBC in July 2008. He previously spent 24 years at Barclays,
most recently as Head o Commercial Banking.
www.hsbc.co.uk/business
Steve Price
Head o Commercial
Banking
KPMG is a main sponsor.
KPMG is the global network o proessional services frms whose
aim is to turn knowledge into value or the beneft o its clients, its
people and its communities. In the UK, KPMG LLP operates rom
22 ofces with more than 11,000 partners and sta.
Malcolm Edge is UK Head o National Markets. His client base
ranges rom FTSE 100 clients, to successul entrepreneurs where
he deals with both corporate and personal matters and acts as
trusted advisor.
www.kpmg.co.uk
Malcolm Edge
Head o the UK National
Market
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Fast Track 100 Research Report 2009 21
bACKGROUND
Aout te autors
Dr hamis StevensonHamish owns and runs Fast Track, which he ounded in 1997,
ater securing cornerstone sponsorship rom Sir Richard Branson.
He works closely with sponsors, leading entrepreneurs and media
partners; and retains an associate ellowship at Green Templeton
College, Oxord University.
Julia Paolitto
Julia is responsible or researching companies and managing
the Fast Track 100 research. She has a background in journalism
and publishing rom the US, and has undertaken reelance work
or management consultancy irms. She recently completed her
doctoral degree in English at Oxord University.
Eva Gronec
Eva is responsible or managing the Fast Track research. Prior
to joining Fast Track in 1999, she worked or companies such
as Kuwait Petroleum and Maersk Line. She has a masters in
politics rom Oxord University, and a degree in business rom
Copenhagen Business School.
2009 Fast Track 100 www.asttrack.co.uk
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Aout Fast Track
Fast Track 100 is compiled by Fast Track, the UK's leading
networking events and research company, which ranks Britains
top-perorming private companies. It has compiled league tables in
partnership with Te Sunday Times or the last thirteen years.
Fast Tracks annual league tables, awards events and dinners
provide an opportunity or private companies to raise their proile,
and or entrepreneurs and directors to network and meet our
sponsors.
Fast Track publishes ive other annual league tables ranking
Britain's top-perorming private companies, on dierent criteria:
Tec Track 100, with title sponsor Microsot, ranks Britainsprivate tech (TMT) companies with the astest-growing sales.
Profit Track 100, with title sponsor PricewaterhouseCoopers,
ranks Britains private companies with the astest-growing proits.
buyout Track 100, with title sponsor Deloitte, ranks Britainsprivate equity-backed companies with the astest-growing proits.
Top Track 250, with title sponsor HSBC, ranks Britains biggestmid-market companies by their latest sales.
Top Track 100, with title sponsor Deloitte, ranks Britains
biggest private companies by their latest sales.
Fast Track is based in Oxord with 17 ull-time sta and a network
o reelance researchers.
CONTACT DETAILS
Fast Track
Angel Court
81 St Clements
OxordOX4 1AW
Tel: 01865 297 100
Fax: 01865 297 001
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.asttrack.co.uk
The Fast Track team
Fast Track 100 Research Report 2009 22