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Research report 2018Britain's 200 mid-market private companies with the fastest-growing international sales

© 2018 International Track 200 fasttrack.co.uk

International Track 200 research report 2018 i

CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION 1Top 10 International Track 200 companies 1

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 2International sales 2 Key themes 2

KEY STATISTICS 3International sales 3 Overseas markets 4 Sector breakdown 5Industry breakdown 5Regional breakdown 6Job creation 7 Main ownership 7 Foundation dates 7 Brexit 8

KEY THEMES & SELECTED COMPANY PROFILES 9 Trading in the US 9Acquisitions and joint ventures 10External investment 11Women founders and directors 12 Ecommerce 13Innovation 14 Food and drink 15 Brands 16

2018 INTERNATIONAL TRACK 200 LEAGUE TABLE 17

METHODOLOGY 25Qualification criteria 25Research approach 25

SPONSORS & MEDIA PARTNER 26Sponsors 26Media partner 27

ABOUT FAST TRACK 28Compiler and publisher 28 The authors 28Fast Track 29

CONTACT DETAILS 29


International Track 200 research report 2018 1

1 Lincoln & YorkCoffee manufacturer Lincolnshire Jan 17 265.08% 7,205 32,243 100 1994 Opened its first international office, in

Poland, in 2017

2 OCSLIT services provider West Sussex Mar 17 229.72% 8,295 85,852 217 1990 Works with corporate and public sector

clients from Holland to Japan

3 Cult Beauty Online beauty retailer Central London May 17 213.18% 15,621 37,641 65 2008 Sells cult and up-and-coming beauty brands

from around the world

4[19]

Ceuta GroupSales and marketing agency Bournemouth Mar 17 200.99% 32,750 88,068 358 1994 Has built an international network of distributors,

which is active in more than 100 markets

5[159]

Gtech Appliance manufacturer Worcester Nov 17 200.83% *17,991 *121,449 206 2001 Has sold more than 25m domestic

appliances in 19 countries

6 White Light Entertainment production supplier

Southwest London Mar 17 194.94% 6,823 28,926 205 1971 Its audiovisual kit was used by the Discovery

Channel to broadcast the 2018 Winter Olympics

7 SaltRecruitment agency Central London Dec 16 180.05% 7,058 30,856 92 2009 Operates in eight locations and has been

expanding into Asia and Australasia

8 iPulseHair removal technology Swansea Dec 17 167.13% *30,914 *32,843 39 2002 Almost 95% of its total revenue is

generated overseas

9 [7]

Carrs Foods InternationalBaked product provider Manchester Dec 17 163.80% *19,744 *49,199 24 1986 Sales to the US accounted for 37% of total

revenue in 2017

10[4]

MiQ Digital marketing agency Central London Dec 16 156.93% 53,950 91,880 308 2010 Helped Sony plan the launch of its

PlayStation baseball game MLB

INTRODUCTIONThis is the 9th year of The Sunday Times HSBC International Track 200, the league table of Britain’s mid-market private companies with the fastest-growing international sales. HSBC is the title sponsor, and DHL Express is the main sponsor.

The International Track 200 ranks the 200 mid-market companies (total sales of £25m+) based on their growth in international sales over the last two years of available data; whereas our SME Export Track 100 ranks companies with sales of less than £25m. However, available data on international sales have limitations [page 25].

Despite the backdrop of volatile international markets and the UK's impending departure from the EU, this year's league table findings show the resilience of UK companies trading overseas and the remarkable progress they are making.

The average international sales growth for the 200 companies was 62% a year, to a total of £10.1bn on combined total sales of £22.8bn. They export to all corners of the globe and employ 106,000 staff, having added 24,000 jobs over the same period.

Featured companies include: sports car maker Aston Martin (No 166), appliance manufacturer Gtech (No 5), fashion retailers Mint Velvet (No 100), Seasalt (No 28) and White Stuff (No 145); and sushi bar chain Wasabi (No 109).

This year’s No 1 company is coffee manufacturer Lincoln & York, which owns the UK's largest roastery

Top 10 International Track 200 companies

* supplied by company

Rank[2017]

Latest int'l sales

£000

Av. annual int'l sales

growthFYEHQ locationActivity Company

Latest total sales

£000 Staff Founded Comment



EXECUTIVE SUMMARYInternational sales• The International Track 200 companies grew their overseas sales

by an average of 62% a year over two years. Their combined exports rose from £4.6bn to £10.1bn over this period

• 86% of the companies (172) sell to mainland Europe, making it the most popular market, followed by North America (125) and Asia (71)

• The top countries for overseas sales are the US (118 companies), Germany (95), France (65), Australia (54), Ireland (50), China (46) and the Netherlands (44)

• There are 88 manufacturers, and 62 of these make products in the UK

• Technology, media and telecoms (TMT) and consumer goods are the largest industries (46 companies each), followed by food and drink (29) and business services (26)

Key themes1. Trading in the US: The US is the most popular country for

overseas sales, with 118 companies citing it as a major market. It is also the top choice for future growth (107 firms) [page 9]

2. Acquisitions and joint ventures: Sixty companies have bought or partnered with businesses to expand internationally, up 30% on last year [page 10]

3. External investment: More than a quarter of the league table have raised private equity investment (53 firms), while others have raised funding from banks or business angels [page 11]

4. Women founders and directors: Just under a fifth of the league table (37 companies) is founded/co-founded by women, or has a woman in a main leadership role, a 32% increase on last year [page 12]

5. Ecommerce: Ecommerce is a cost-effective route to cross-border trade, and 35 goods exporters generate at least 10% of their international sales online, a 40% rise on last year [page 13]

6. Innovation: Investment in R&D to develop world-beating products has driven export success for companies in industries such as healthcare, consumer goods and engineering [page 14]

7. Food and drink: There are 29 food and drink-related companies, selling traditional British fare or tapping into new trends [page 15]

8. Brands: Household names on the league table include brands in the food and drink, fashion and automotive sectors such as BrewDog, Gymshark and Aston Martin [page 16]

Growth in international sales*

Number of companies in each range

16

5 >200%

150-200%

100-150%

50-100%

25-50%

71

103

37* two-year CAGR (compound annual growth rate)

Characteristics of a typical International Track 200 company

International sales Average growth over two years 62% paInternational sales in 2016-18 £30mInternational sales in 2014-16 £10m

Total sales Sales in 2016-18 £70mSales in 2014-16 £45m Staff Typical number of staff in 2016-2018 50–1,000Average increase in staff over two years 19% pa Company characteristics HQ Greater London (67 companies)Sector Services (89)

5



KEY STATISTICS

International sales

• Companies on the league table are required to have total sales greater than £25m, to have international sales greater than £1m, and to be profitable

• The top-ranked company is coffee manufacturer Lincoln & York. It grew international sales 265% a year, from £0.5m in 2015 to £7.2m in 2017

• International sales at the 200th ranked company, pharmaceutical regulations consultancy Kinapse, grew an average of 25% a year, from £15.5m in 2015 to £24.5m in 2017

• 26 companies had triple-digit growth in international sales, including appliance manufacturer Gtech (No 5), whose international sales rose an average of 201% a year, from £2m in 2015 to £18m in 2017; and online sportswear retailer Gymshark (No 16), which grew international sales an average of 129% a year, from £5.9m in 2015 to £30.8m in 2017

• Sports car maker Aston Martin (No 166) had the highest international sales on the table, at £683m in 2017

• Online retailer The Hut Group (No 45) recorded the biggest absolute increase in international sales, which grew £345.2m between 2015 and 2017

• Combined international sales of the 200 companies were £10.1bn and total sales were £22.8bn

• Average operating profits are £7.9m. The company with the highest profit margin is insurance intermediary CFC Underwriting (No 144), which made an operating profit of £14.6m on total sales of £45.5m in 2017

Nick Grey founded Gtech (No 5) in 2001 to take on established brands with his own cordless vacuum cleaner. It generated exports of £18m last year and profits of £18m

Latest international salesNumber of companies in each range

Latest total salesNumber of companies in each range

5

18

21

>£100m

£75m-£100m

£50m-£75m

£25m-£50m

>£100m

£75m-£100m

£50m-£75m

£25m-£50m

£10m-£25m

£1m-£10m

22

51

42

49

61

87

44

Rank Company Activity FYE Int'l sales

£m

166 Aston Martin Sports car maker Dec 17 683

138 The Collinson Group Loyalty and benefits provider Apr 17 521.4

45 The Hut Group Online retailer Dec 17 *512.4

63 Westcoast Technology distributor Dec 17 437.1

156 Hyperion Insurance Group Insurance broker and underwriter Sep 17 422

Top 5 companies with the largest international sales

* Supplied by the company



Overseas markets• 86% of the companies (172) sell to mainland Europe, making it

the most popular market, followed by North America (125) and Asia (71)

• More than half the companies (115) focus their sales on one or two continents. Twenty companies have key markets spread across four or more continents. For example, Hyperion Insurance Group (No 156) employs 3,800 people across Europe, the Middle East, Asia Pacific and the Americas

• The top countries for overseas sales are the US (118 companies), Germany (95), France (65), Australia (54), Ireland (50), China (46), and the Netherlands (44)

• Half the companies (99) export to or operate in emerging markets†, including sports car maker Aston Martin (No 166), which announced a five-year, £620m trade and investment drive in China in January 2018

• The top countries identified for future international expansion are the US (107 companies), Germany (62), China (49), France (39), Australia (39), India (25), and Canada (24)

† Emerging markets as defined by the FTSE list of emerging countries

China is the fastest-growing market for sports car maker Aston Martin (No 166)

Main markets of the International Track 200 companies*

* map shows the number of companies targeting each market

172EUROPE

71ASIA

125NORTH AMERICA

8SOUTH AMERICA

16AFRICA

38MIDDLE EAST

59

AUSTRALASIA



Sector breakdown

The International Track 200 companies operate in a range of sectors, and, due to the breadth of their activities, 86 companies are considered to operate in two sectors. For example, The Hut Group (No 45) is both a manufacturer and retailer.

The largest sectors are services (89 companies) and manufacturing (88, including some firms that manufacture overseas).

• Services (89) encompass a wide range of industries, including recruitment agencies such as Amoria Bond (No 155); consultancies, like consumer research agency MMR Research Worldwide (No 112); and media firms, such as digital marketing agency Jellyfish (No 30)

• Manufacturers (88) include office furniture manufacturer Boss Design (No 119), pet food maker Natures Menu (No 101), and appliance manufacturer Gtech (No 5)

• Wholesalers (57) include food distributors, such as meat importer and wholesaler Oakfield (No 35), and IT suppliers, including The Change Organisation (No 116)

• Retailers (43) include companies that trade online, such as online sports retailer Gymshark (No 66). The sector also features firms that have opened shops overseas, such as maternity and babywear retailer JoJo Maman Bébé (No 185) and jewellery designer Monica Vinader (No 48)

• Construction (3) comprises firms such as Northern Ireland construction contractor Mac (No 65), which works for US companies, including Oracle, Intel and IBM

Industry breakdown

• TMT is the joint best-represented industry, with 46 companies, up from 43 last year. This category includes digital design studio ustwo (No 143), media agency the7stars (No 108) and Harry Potter ebook publisher Pottermore (No 13)

• Consumer goods also comprises 46 companies (up from 45 last year), including online beauty store Cult Beauty (No 3), and fashion retailer White Stuff (No 145), which has 19 stores in Germany

• Food and drink also features strongly, with 29 companies (four more than last year). This includes the top-ranked company, coffee manufacturer Lincoln & York, as well as sushi bar chain Wasabi (No 109) and coffee house operator Caffè Nero (No 177)

Industry breakdown

Business services 26

Food and drink 29

TMT 46

Building 10

Other 15

Automotive 9

Engineering 11

Consumer goods 46

Laura Tenison founded maternity and babywear retailer JoJo Maman Bébé (No 185) in 1993; it opened its first three stores in the US this year.

Finance 8



Regional breakdown

• The region with the highest number of companies is London, with 67 firms

• Other regions are also performing strongly, including the southeast (47 companies), Midlands (21), and northwest (19)

• Regions with export strength in particular sectors include:

– London and the southeast, which accounts for all nine IT consultancies and resellers, such as OCSL (No 2), and Claranet (No 69), which opened an office in Italy last year, bringing its European offices to a total of 23

– Scotland, which has five food and drink companies, the joint highest number with London and the Midlands. These include Macphie (No 90), which supplies cake mixes and other ingredients to bakeries and kitchens around the world

• The region with the lowest representation is Northern Ireland, with three companies: construction contractor mac (No 63), CDE Global (No 170), which makes waste and materials processing equipment, and blind manufacturer Decora (No 140)

Food ingredients producer Macphie (No 90) is one of five Scottish-based food and drink firms to feature on the league table

Regional breakdownof headquarters

HQ locations of the International Track 200 companies

Region Number of companies

London 67

Southeast 47

Midlands 21

Northwest 19

Southwest 11

Scotland 10

East 9

Northeast 8

Wales 5

Northern Ireland 3



Job creation

• The 200 companies directly employ 106,000 people, with typical staff numbers ranging between 50-1,000. The largest employer, facilities maintenance provider City Facilities Management (No 66), has more than 11,000 on the payroll

• The smallest employers are generally wholesalers, such as coffee merchant DR Wakefield (No 122), which has 17 staff. 15 companies employ fewer than 50 people

• The companies have increased total staff numbers by 24,000 over the past two years. New jobs have been created by companies such as Caffè Nero (No 177), which added 1,000 people to its payroll last year. Other companies, including online retailer The Hut Group (No 45), have boosted staff numbers through acquisition

Main ownership

• Entrepreneurs and founders majority-own just over half the companies (104). Examples include appliance manufacturer Gtech (No 5), founded by inventor Nick Grey in 2001; and children’s book publisher Usborne Publishing (No 137), owned by its eponymous founder, Peter Usborne

• 37 companies are majority-owned by private-equity firms, including luxury fashion retailer Matchesfashion.com (No 60) whose founders Ruth and Tom Chapman sold a majority stake to Apax Partners last year, valuing the company at a reported £800m. Bullitt Group (No 85), which designs consumer electronics, also sold a majority stake last year to private equity firm Exponent for an undisclosed sum

• 30 companies are family-owned, i.e. they remain owned by the founder’s offspring or other relatives. An example is jewellery retailer George Pragnell (No 161), run by the founder’s grandson, Charlie Pragnell

• Management owns a majority stake in 25 companies, such as CAE Technology Services (No 71), bought out by management in 2004

Foundation dates

• The International Track 200 companies are of very diverse ages, with an average foundation date of 1985, although this is skewed by eight companies established pre-1900

• The company with the oldest foundation date is jewellery retailer Aurum (No 77). Goldsmiths, which forms part of the group, can traces its roots back to 1778, when it established its first shop

• Six companies were set up in 2010 or later, including aircraft and spares services company Aerfin (No 12), which topped last year's league table and now has exports of £59m

Majority ownership typeNumber of companies in each range

EmployeesNumber of companies in each range

30

37

Entrepreneur and/or founder

PE and/or VC

Family

Management

Employees

Business Angels

25

2

104

Caffè Nero (No 177) took on 1,000 new staff last year, and now employs 5,500 people

13

11 >=2,000

1,000-1,999

500-999

250-499

100-249

50-99

<50

65

44

29

15

23

2



BREXITThe International Track 200 uses historical financial information, and, for many companies, the impact of the 2016 vote to leave the European Union is reflected for the first time in their performance.

Fast Track conducted a survey during the research period (January 2018 – May 2018) asking the companies about the overall impact the Brexit vote has had on their business. This is the second year that the survey has been conducted.

Of the 148 respondents (74% response rate):

• The majority (62%, up from 57% last year) said the vote has had no, or a neutral, impact on their business

• 29%, up from 26%, said the vote has had a negative effect on their business, due to factors such as increased import costs for raw materials, and difficulties hiring and retaining European staff

• 9%, down from 17%, said the vote has had a positive influence on their business. For example, the weak pound has boosted exports for some manufacturers

Survey on the impact the Brexit vote has had on International Track 200 businesses

29%NEGATIVE

9%POSITIVE

62%NEUTRAL / NO IMPACT



KEY THEMES & SELECTED COMPANY PROFILES

On the following pages we profile examples of companies that demonstrate some of the key themes from this year’s league table.

Trading in the USThe US is the world’s largest economy and Britain’s biggest single trading partner. It is also the most popular country for overseas sales among the International Track 200 companies, with 118 firms citing it as a major market (compared to 109 last year). It is the top choice for future growth, with more than half the companies (107) planning to expand there (versus 89 last year). Examples include homeware manufacturer DOMU Brands (No 46), whose US sales grew by almost 50% to £19.9m last year, as well the companies profiled below.

Avalon (No 153) produces the US talk show Last Week Tonight with John Oliver


9 Carrs Foods InternationalBaked product provider

Sales to the US accounted for 37% of total revenue in 2017

Location Manchester Latest financial year Dec 17 Two-year CAGR 164%Latest international sales *£19.7mBase international sales £2.8mLatest sales *£49.2mEmployees 24

This Manchester business supplies European bakery products to more than 10,000 stores in the UK and worldwide. Its brands include Paul Hollywood ready-to-bake rolls, and the St Pierre range of brioche, croissants and crêpes. It entered the US market in 2014, where strong growth boosted exports to £19.7m last year. Managing director Jeremy Gilboy, 59, and international director Paul Baker, 49, led a buyout of Carrs in 2004.

131 Mind GymCorporate learning provider

Helped US mortgage company Freddie Mac implement change across the organisation

Location Central London Latest financial year Mar 17 Two-year CAGR 38%Latest international sales £21.8mBase international sales £11.5mLatest sales £30.6mEmployees 195

This London firm, founded in 2000 by Octavius Black, 50, and Sebastian Bailey, 43, uses psychology and behavioural science to help employees and leaders improve performance and deal effectively with change. The company says 59% of the FTSE and S&P 100 have been customers, including GSK, Microsoft and Unilever. It works in more than 30 countries, and in 2017, its US sales grew 71% to £16m.

153 AvalonEntertainment producer and manager

Its TV programmes include the US talk show, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver

Location West London Latest financial year Jun 17 Two-year CAGR 34%Latest international sales *£68.2mBase international sales £38.2mLatest sales *£131.6mEmployees 133

Founded in 1988 by Jonathan Thoday, 57, and Richard Allen-Turner, 52, Avalon manages talent such as Daniel Radcliffe and Russell Howard, promotes live comedy, and produces and distributes TV shows. Its programmes include US talk show Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, hit comedy Catastrophe and critically-acclaimed entertainment formats Taskmaster and The Button. With offices in New York and Los Angeles, it works with global broadcasters and streaming services, helping international sales to reach £68.2m in 2017.



Acquisitions and joint ventures

Acquisition can be a time-efficient way to access new markets and gain economies of scale. Sixty companies have bought or partnered with businesses to expand internationally, up 30% on last year (46 firms). For example, IT services consultancy Teneo (No 53) has made three acquisitions in the US in the last two years. Others include jewellery retailer Aurum (No 77), which bought US chain Mayors Jewelers for $105m last year.

Acquisitions have boosted growth at online retailer The Hut Group (No 45), whose exports hit £512.4m last year

36 CinesiteVisual effects and animation

Acquired two Canadian companies, Image Engine and Nitrogen Studios, in 2015 and 2017

Location Central London Latest financial year Apr 17 Two-year CAGR 88%Latest international sales £36.1mBase international sales £10.2mLatest sales £43.9mEmployees 699

The James Bond and Harry Potter film franchises are just two examples of this Emmy award-winning company’s work. Cinesite produces visual effects and feature animations for the likes of Disney, 20th Century Fox and Sony Pictures Animation. It was founded in 1991 as a division of Kodak before chief executive Antony Hunt, 56, led a management buyout in 2012. It bought two Canadian companies, Image Engine and Nitrogen Studios, in 2015 and 2017 for undisclosed sums, helping overseas sales to reach £36.1m last year.

45 The Hut GroupOnline retailer

Its 2017 acquisitions include beauty subscription service Glossybox and skincare brand ESPA

Location Manchester Latest financial year Dec 17 Two-year CAGR 75%Latest international sales *£512.4mBase international sales £167.2mLatest sales *£736.0mEmployees 3,222

This online retailer sells premium health and beauty goods via 166 localised websites. A string of acquisitions, including Berlin-based beauty subscription service Glossybox, helped overseas sales to hit £512.4m in 2017. The group was valued at £2.5bn last August, when asset management firm Old Mutual Global Investors acquired a 5% stake in the business for £125m. Founder and chief executive Matthew Moulding, 46, leads the Manchester-based company.

107 Total Media GroupMedia agency

Launched a joint venture with German agency Mediaplus this year

Location Central London Latest financial year Dec 17 Two-year CAGR 46%Latest international sales *£41.5mBase international sales £19.5mLatest sales *£85.0mEmployees 123

This company says it delivers effective media strategies through understanding people’s behaviour using a range of tools, from ethnography and neuroscience to behavioural economics and data analytics. In 2017, it launched a technology and innovation hub in Estonia and international sales, including ad buying, hit £41.5m under chief executive Guy Sellers, 61. This year, it set up a joint venture with Germany’s Mediaplus and was appointed as media agency for collaboration tool Slack, which it will be promoting across Europe, the Middle East and Africa.




105 E-LeatherEco-friendly materials developer

Raised £70m of private-equity funding in 2018 for new factory to meet strong overseas demand

Location Peterborough Latest financial year Apr 17 Two-year CAGR 46%Latest international sales £26.4mBase international sales £12.4mLatest sales £29.4mEmployees 161

Airlines, trains and bus seats are upholstered using this Peterborough firm’s environmentally-friendly, recycled leather material, which is lighter, stronger and more durable than traditional leather. Led by president Chris McBean, 59, E-Leather sells to more than 40 countries and exports hit £26.4m in 2017. In February this year, private-equity firms ETF Partners and Hermes GPE invested £70m in the business to fund a new factory.

110 Clarion EventsEvents organiser

Bought by private-equity firm Blackstone in a £600m deal last year, which has helped to fuel international acquisitions

Location West London Latest financial year Jan 17 Two-year CAGR 45%Latest international sales £53.1mBase international sales £25.1mLatest sales £146.0mEmployees 775

This events company organises more than 240 conferences and exhibitions around the world. In 2017, private-equity firm Blackstone acquired the group from Providence Equity Partners in a £600m deal and has backed the latest two acquisitions in a long series - Hong Kong's Global Sources for an undisclosed sum, and the $310m purchase of PennWell Corporation in Oklahoma, both earlier this year. Clarion has 15 offices worldwide and international turnover reached £53.1m in 2017, under chairman Simon Kimble, 54.

129 BrewDogBrewery

Valued at £1bn last year, when private-equity firm TSG Consumer Partners bought a 22% stake for £213m

Location Aberdeenshire Latest financial year Dec 17 Two-year CAGR 38%Latest international sales *£21.6mBase international sales £11.3mLatest sales *£111.6mEmployees 777

Founded in 2007 by James Watt and Martin Dickie, both 35, this Scottish brewer exports its craft beer to more than 60 countries and has opened 50 bars as far afield as Brazil and Japan. In 2017, it was valued at £1bn when US private-equity firm TSG Consumer Partners bought a 22% stake for £213m. Overseas sales hit £21.6m that year. BrewDog's latest crowdfunding campaign aims to raise up to £50m, which will help to finance a $30m Australian brewery, set to open in 2019.

External investment

The International Track 200 have employed a range of strategies to fund overseas growth. Private-equity firms have invested in 53 companies (versus 46 last year) and majority-own 37. Examples include cycling brand Rapha (No 154), marketing technology firm ITG (No 11), and retailer World of Books (No 197). Others are financed by corporations, business angels or banks, such as creative agency The&Partnership (No 15), backed by advertising giant WPP, and e-tailer Cult Beauty (No 3), whose investors include Net-a-Porter’s co-founder Carmen Busquets.

Co-founders Martin Dickie (left) and James Watt of craft brewer BrewDog (No 129), which has financed growth through private-equity and crowdfunding




Women founders and directors

Just under a fifth of the league table (37 companies) is founded/co-founded by women, or has a woman in a main leadership role*. This is a 32% increase on last year (28 companies). Examples include clinical research firm Clintec (No 84), founded in 1997 by immunologist Rabinder Buttar, and food producer Baxters (No 172), run by executive chairman Audrey Baxter, the fourth generation of her family to lead the business.

*Defined as a woman in the role of chief executive, managing director or chairman.Monica Vinader (No 48) launched her eponymous jewellery brand in 2008

48 Monica VinaderJewellery designer

Led by founder Monica Vinader and her sister Gabriela

Location Norfolk Latest financial year Jul 17 Two-year CAGR 73%Latest international sales £15.9mBase international sales £5.3mLatest sales £35.8mEmployees 184

Celebrities across the world including the Duchess of Cambridge, Olivia Palermo and Rita Ora are fans of this Norfolk company's jewellery. Founded in 2008 by Monica Vinader, 49, it now has 15 international boutiques, as well as four in London and an ecommerce operation. Piper Private Equity and Winona Capital invested £20m in 2016, helping to fund expansion in America. Doubling its revenues in the US boosted international sales to £15.9m in 2017.

100 Mint VelvetWomenswear retailer

Co-founded by chief executive Liz Houghton and three colleagues in 2009

Location High Wycombe Latest financial year Apr 17 Two-year CAGR 47%Latest international sales £4.9mBase international sales £2.2mLatest sales £87.4mEmployees 712

Mint Velvet’s range of women’s clothing, accessories and footwear is available online and at its 38 shops in the UK and 96 concessions. It also has 12 stores in Switzerland, eight in Ireland, and three franchise outlets in Dubai. Co-founders Liz Houghton, 53, Lisa Agar-Rea, 49, Stuart Grant, 43, and Jane Rawlings, 51, set up the retailer in 2009. Investment business The Lewis Trust Group, owned by the founders of River Island, bought a stake of undisclosed size in the company in 2015 to support its expansion.

185 JoJo Maman BébéMaternity and babywear retailer

Launched by serial entrepreneur Laura Tenison in 1993

Location South Wales Latest financial year Jun 17 Two-year CAGR 28%Latest international sales £6.0mBase international sales £3.7mLatest sales £57.5mEmployees 783

Managing director Laura Tenison, 51, set up this maternity and baby wear brand in 1993 with £50,000 from the sale of her first business. It now runs 88 stores in the UK and Ireland, including eight outlets opened last year. The Newport-based firm also exports to trade customers in more than 60 countries. It has been investing in its ecommerce sites and expanding in the US - where it opened its first three shops this spring.




61 BULK POWDERSSports nutrition brand

Sells more than 1,000 products via 11 online stores and marketplaces such as Alibaba

Location Colchester Latest financial year Dec 17 Two-year CAGR 66%Latest international sales *£15.5mBase international sales £5.6mLatest sales *£32.2mEmployees 150

Superfood powders, nut butters and whey proteins are among the health and performance products made by this sports nutrition specialist. Fitness fanatics Elliot Dawes and Adam Rossiter, both 35, started the Colchester firm in 2006, and it now exports more than 1,000 different food supplements to customers in Europe after launching a female range earlier this year. International sales hit £15.5m in 2017, with expansion to the increasingly health-aware US and Chinese markets on the horizon.

139 ChildrensalonChildrenswear retailer

Says it is the largest global specialist e-tailer of luxury childrenswear

Location Tunbridge Wells Latest financial year Dec 17 Two-year CAGR 37%Latest international sales *£67.5mBase international sales £36.1mLatest sales *£78.5mEmployees 286

Childrensalon was started in 1952 by Sybil Harriman with a shop in Tunbridge Wells selling children’s clothes. It is now a global online retailer, stocking childrenswear from 280 brands, such as Gucci and Dolce & Gabbana. A surge in sales of traditional styles, after the births of Prince George and Princess Charlotte, helped exports hit £67.5m last year. The company is headed by the founder’s daughter, Michele Harriman-Smith, 66, and her husband George, 70.

148 WiggleCRCOnline sports goods retailer

Bought German online retailer Bike24 for a reported £100m last year

Location Portsmouth Latest financial year Jan 17 Two-year CAGR 35%Latest international sales £148.4mBase international sales £82.0mLatest sales £282.9mEmployees 751

WiggleCRC was formed in 2016 when online sports retailer Wiggle, backed by private-equity firm Bridgepoint, bought its Belfast-based rival Chain Reaction Cycles for £43.5m. The group says it is the largest online retailer in its sector and has customers in more than 100 countries. Last October, it added German competitor Bike24 for a reported £100m. Chief executive Will Kernan, 48, heads the group.

Ecommerce

Ecommerce can be a cost-effective route to cross-border trade. This year’s league table features 35 ecommerce goods exporters that generate at least 10% of their international sales online – a 40% rise on last year (25 companies). They include 16 firms selling clothing online, such as luxury fashion retailer Matchesfashion.com (No 60), whose website attracts 3m unique visits a month. There are also eight ecommerce firms selling sports goods, including Gymshark (No 16), whose 11 online stores sell to 177 countries.

Olympic diver Tom Daley is a brand ambassador for sports nutrition e-tailer Bulk Powders (No 61)



Innovation

Investment in R&D to develop innovative, world-beating products has driven export success for some of the companies on this year’s list. These include businesses developing safety products, such as fume extraction systems (BOFA International, No 163) and road safety devices (Brigade Electronics, No 178); healthcare products, such as antimicrobial wipes (Gama Healthcare, No 99); and consumer goods, including cordless vacuum cleaners (Gtech, No 5).A-Safe (No 59) invests heavily in R&D to develop its

patented safety barriers

8 iPulseHair removal device developer

Uses pulsed light technology to remove unwanted hair

Location Swansea Latest financial year Dec 17 Two-year CAGR 167%Latest international sales *£30.9mBase international sales £4.3mLatest sales *£32.8mEmployees 39

The devices created by this Swansea manufacturer use high intensity pulses of light to target unwanted hair and stop growth at the root. iPulse opened its first overseas office in Japan last year and sells its SmoothSkin products in 12 other countries through retailers such as Shaver Shop. Backed by BGF chairman Sir Nigel Rudd, 71, and early Betfair investor Richard Koch, 68, the company increased international sales to £30.9m in 2017, under chief executive Giles Davies, 50.

59 A-SafeSafety barrier manufacturer

Invented the first fixed polymer safety barrier in 2001

Location Halifax Latest financial year Dec 17 Two-year CAGR 68%Latest international sales *£36.3mBase international sales £12.9mLatest sales *£44.6mEmployees 335

This Halifax firm’s flexible polymer safety barriers are used in factories by the likes of Nestlé and Heineken to protect staff and machinery. Its bright yellow products are also found in car parks and airports. A-Safe has offices in 14 countries, and it also sells through distributors in a further 22 countries. Luke Smith, 38, and brother James, 40, are joint managing directors.

166 Aston MartinSports car maker

Launching its first all-electric vehicle, the RapidE sports car, next year

Location Warwickshire Latest financial year Dec 17 Two-year CAGR 31%Latest international sales £683.0mBase international sales £396.0mLatest sales £876.0mEmployees 1,753

Demand for Aston Martin's DB11 globally, and particularly across America and China, drove sales of its luxury sports cars to more than 5,000 worldwide last year. This pushed overseas turnover to £683m in 2017, under chief executive Andy Palmer, 54, with total profits rising to £148.8m, the highest on the league table. The Warwickshire business is developing a second manufacturing site in Wales, launching further models of the Vantage, DBS Superleggera and its first SUV, and expanding in China and Japan. The brand's investors - Adeem, Tejara and Italy’s Investindustrial - are reportedly considering a stock market listing among other options.




Food and drink

UK food and drink exports reached a record high of £22bn last year, reflecting the global appetite for British produce. This year’s league table features 29 food and drink-related firms (up from 25 last year). They include companies exporting traditional British fare, such as Ahmad Tea (No 195) and cheddar maker Wyke Farms (No 192). Others have tapped into trends such as the craft beer revolution (BrewDog, No 129), healthy snacking (Evolution Foods, No 76), and fair trade coffee (DR Wakefield, No 122).Salmon farmer Loch Duart (No 78) helped Scotland’s

salmon exports hit a record £600m last year

1 Lincoln & YorkCoffee manufacturer

Has helped fuel the growth in coffee shops across the UK and Northern Europe

Location Lincolnshire Latest financial year Jan 17 Two-year CAGR 265%Latest international sales £7.2mBase international sales £0.5mLatest sales £32.2mEmployees 100

From hand roasting coffee in a garden shed in 1994, founders James Sweeting, 48, and Simon Herring, 53, have since moved to a state-of-the-art facility in Lincolnshire featuring the UK's largest roaster. They run a discreet manufacturing business that is behind hundreds of coffee blends throughout Europe, and say that more than one shop on every British high street sells their coffee. Last September, the company launched a cold brew coffee called Black Eye.

78 Loch DuartSalmon farmer

Exports salmon to 20 countries, with Belgium, France, Spain and Italy its main overseas markets

Location Sutherland Latest financial year Mar 17 Two-year CAGR 57%Latest international sales £34.5mBase international sales £14.1mLatest sales £42.5mEmployees 100

Loch Duart has been farming Atlantic salmon in Scotland’s Badcall Bay since 1999, when it was co-founded by sales director Andy Bing, 57. The fish has graced the tables of top restaurants worldwide, including the Michelin-starred French Laundry in California, and Nobu's Japanese eatery in New York. Loch Duart sells to more than 20 countries and exports hit £34.5m in 2017, under managing director Alban Denton, 54.

126 Les Caves de Pyrene Wine merchant

Champions artisanal winemakers and runs the Real Wine Fair, promoting 'natural' wines

Location Surrey Latest financial year Mar 17 Two-year CAGR 39%Latest international sales £6.5mBase international sales £3.4mLatest sales £34.1mEmployees 128

Les Caves supplies wine from small wineries to restaurants, retailers, wholesalers and private customers. The Surrey company is led by founder Eric Narioo, 55, and has operations in Spain, Australia and Italy. It also runs the Real Wine Fair in the UK and has an interest in restaurants in London, Melbourne, and Logroño, Spain.



Brands

Household names on the league table include cycling brand Rapha (No 154), which features for a fifth consecutive year, as well as coffee house chain Caffè Nero (No 177) and brewery BrewDog (No 129), which appear for the fourth year in a row. Outdoor clothing retailer Mountain Warehouse (No 24) and food producer Baxters (No 172) are listed for the third consecutive year.

New entrants include sports car maker Aston Martin (No 166), fashion retailer Mint Velvet (No 100), and sportswear brand Gymshark (No 16).

Founder & CEO Dong Hyun Kim is expanding sushi bar chain Wasabi (No 109) across the US

28 SeasaltClothing retailer

Rosamunde Pilcher’s popular novels, set in Cornwall, have helped boost its profile in Germany

Location Falmouth Latest financial year Jan 17 Two-year CAGR 98%Latest international sales £2.2mBase international sales £0.6mLatest sales £41.5mEmployees 613

America and New Zealand are among the countries where this retailer’s Cornish-inspired clothing has proved a hit. Brothers Neil, Leigh and David Chadwick, 52, 60 and 59, took over the business from their father, who had a store in Penzance, in 2001. They now sell to 56 countries through an ecommerce site and wholesale businesses in Germany, its largest overseas market, and Ireland. Chief executive Paul Hayes, 47, joined in 2013.

109 WasabiSushi bar chain

Is opening sushi outlets across New York and will expand to other US cities

Location Northwest London Latest financial year Dec 16 Two-year CAGR 46%Latest international sales £6.1mBase international sales £2.9mLatest sales £98.1mEmployees 1,767

Dong Hyun Kim, 45, set up this takeaway business in 2002 with one outlet on London’s Embankment, and now runs 55 branches nationwide and five in New York. The chain serves sushi and hot dishes under the Wasabi and Bento brands. It also operates Korean restaurant brand Kimchee, and Asian-inspired Soboro Bakery, and has opened sushi counters in five M&S supermarkets. Store openings in New York helped international sales reach £6.1m in 2016, and further outlets are planned across America.

145 White StuffFashion retailer

Its casual clothes are popular in Germany, where it has 19 stores

Location South London Latest financial year Apr 17 Two-year CAGR 35%Latest international sales £9.0mBase international sales £4.9mLatest sales £153.6mEmployees 2,084

Selling casual clothes and accessories through 182 stores and concessions in Britain and Europe, as well as online and via wholesale, White Stuff has come a long way since Sean Thomas and George Treves, both 54, began selling T-shirts in Val d’Isère in 1985. New store openings in Germany, where the company has 19 outlets, helped international sales reach £9m in 2017. Jo Jenkins, former M&S clothing and beauty director, took over as chief executive this spring.



2018 INTERNATIONAL TRACK 200 LEAGUE TABLE


1 Lincoln & YorkCoffee manufacturer Lincolnshire Jan 17 265.08% 7,205 32,243 100 1994 Opened its first international office, in

Poland, in 2017

2 OCSLIT services provider West Sussex Mar 17 229.72% 8,295 85,852 217 1990 Works with corporate and public sector

clients from Holland to Japan

3 Cult BeautyOnline beauty retailer Central London May 17 213.18% 15,621 37,641 65 2008 Sells cult and up-and-coming beauty brands

from around the world

4[19]

Ceuta GroupSales and marketing agency Bournemouth Mar 17 200.99% 32,750 88,068 358 1994 Has built an international network of distributors,

which is active in more than 100 markets

5[159]

GtechAppliance manufacturer Worcester Nov 17 200.83% *17,991 *121,449 206 2001 Has sold more than 25m domestic

appliances in 19 countries

6 White LightEntertainment production supplier

Southwest London Mar 17 194.94% 6,823 28,926 205 1971 Its audiovisual kit was used by the Discovery

Channel to broadcast the 2018 Winter Olympics

7 SaltRecruitment agency Central London Dec 16 180.05% 7,058 30,856 92 2009 Operates in eight locations and has been

expanding into Asia and Australasia

8 iPulseHair removal technology Swansea Dec 17 167.13% *30,914 *32,843 39 2002 Almost 95% of its total revenue is

generated overseas

9[7]

Carrs Foods InternationalBaked product provider Manchester Dec 17 163.80% *19,744 *49,199 24 1986 Sales to the US accounted for 37% of total

revenue in 2017

10[4]

MiQDigital marketing agency Central London Dec 16 156.93% 53,949 91,880 308 2010 Helped Sony plan the launch of its

PlayStation baseball game MLB

11[10]

ITGMarketing technology provider Birmingham Aug 17 148.39% 12,100 94,669 549 2009 Runs media and marketing campaigns

in 120 countries

12[1]

AerFinAircraft and spares services Caerphilly Dec 17 146.81% 58,589 70,221 87 2010 Says it is the largest independent supplier

of Embraer plane parts worldwide

13 PottermoreDigital publisher Central London Mar 17 141.55% 37,693 40,303 51 2012 The Harry Potter ebooks have been

translated into more than 80 languages

14 Opus Talent SolutionsRecruitment consultancy Bristol Dec 17 138.77% *23,500 *78,000 241 2008 Its international clients include Uber,

Bank of America and GE

15 The&PartnershipAdvertising agency Central London Dec 17 134.45%

*187,891 *460,892 700 2001 Created a European network to handle Toyota

Europe’s account, won at the end of 2016

16 GymsharkOnline sportswear retailer Solihull Jul 17 128.51% 30,832 40,525 100 2012 Exports to 177 countries, including the US,

which accounts for about 40% of its sales

17 Jupiter Group Fruit distributor Shropshire Sep 17 127.52% 9,429 58,779 76 2003 Operates 500 acres of table grape

vineyards across Chile, Greece and India

18 Gray & Adams Vehicle manufacturer Aberdeenshire Apr 17 126.42% 12,449 148,307 731 1957 Its trailers are used by food groups such as

Bidfood in Holland and Tesco in Ireland

19[200]

Bamboo DistributionHandset supplier and recycler Hertfordshire Jun 17 119.31% 37,064 69,171 106 2009 Distributes recycled and refurbished

consumer electronics to 22 countries

20[14]

Austin FraserRecruitment consultancy Reading Feb 17 115.86% 10,862 40,383 122 2007 Opened an office in Denver last year to

service the city's growing tech industry

21[15]

MissguidedFashion retailer Manchester Mar 17 114.13% 87,523 205,825 436 2009 Is launching franchise stores and online

shopping in the Middle East with retailer Azadea

22[25]

EndavaIT services provider Central London Jun 17 106.17% 79,430 159,368 3,471 2000 Its latest acquisition added six software

development centres across Latin America

23 CashFlowsPayment services provider Cambridge Dec 17 103.94% *38,900 *50,520 152 2003 1,500 businesses across Europe use its

technology to accept online payments

24[24]

Mountain WarehouseOutdoor clothing retailer Central London Feb 17 102.19% 46,404 184,781 1,418 1997 Opening stores in Holland and the

Czech Republic this year

25 Anglia MaltingsMalt producer Norfolk Dec 16 101.59% 62,934 155,632 340 1870 Acquired European production sites in

2016 to increase production capacity

Rank[2017]

Latest int'l sales

£000


growthFYEHQ locationActivityCompany

Latest total sales






26 Wilson JamesSecurity and facilities manager Essex Jul 17 101.26% 8,741 133,481 3,031 1988 Provided logistics services for Intel's $5bn

campus upgrade in Ireland

27[91]

Sahara Presentation SystemsAudiovisual equipment supplier Kent Dec 17 98.74% *25,673 *59,947 80 1924 Its interactive touchscreens are found in schools,

colleges and universities in over 80 countries

28 SeasaltClothing retailer Cornwall Jan 17 97.67% 2,214 41,478 613 1981 Rosamunde Pilcher’s novels, set in Cornwall,

have helped boost its profile in Germany

29[18]

Reward GatewayEmployee engagement services Central London Jun 17 97.35% 61,654 304,370 326 2006 American Express, Unilever and

Samsung are among its global clients

30[42]

JellyfishDigital marketing agency Central London Mar 17 97.03% 38,323 66,205 331 2005 Opened in Barcelona in 2017 to support brands

Nina Ricci, Paco Rabanne and Jean Paul Gaultier

31[92]

Matchroom SportSporting events promoter Essex Jun 17 93.41% 30,397 100,247 74 1982 Broadcasts major sporting events to more

than 130 countries worldwide

32 TrutexSchool uniform supplier Lancashire Jan 17 93.23% 1,949 27,738 257 1865 Its British-style school uniforms are

proving popular in the Middle East

33[29]

PaymentsensePayment services provider West London Mar 17 91.76% 4,850 57,507 238 2009 Processed over £6.5bn of card payments

last year in the UK and Ireland

34 Touch AssociatesEvent communications agency Surrey Dec 16 89.05% 19,381 27,724 69 2012 In 2017, it managed the media launch of Ford's

new Fiesta in Spain for more than 600 guests

35[76]

Oakfield Meat importer and wholesaler North London Dec 16 88.71% 37,010 127,587 50 1987 Sources meat from Ireland to Thailand

and sells it internationally

36 CinesiteVisual effects and animation Central London Apr 17 88.33% 36,064 43,888 699 1991 Producing visual effects for Mary Poppins

Returns and the Marvel Cinematic Universe

37 Kerridge Commercial SystemsSoftware provider Hungerford Sep 17 86.39% *24,017 *57,099 560 1976 Supports more than 14,900 customers at over

18,000 locations around the world

38 blu-3Infrastructure provider Kent Mar 17 83.84% 43,982 93,461 127 2004 Works on data centre projects in Scandinavia,

Ireland and the Netherlands

39 Cult WinesWine merchant West London Aug 17 81.99% 16,347 33,706 22 2007 Sales of fine wine to Asia increased 123% to £11m

in 2017 and now account for a third of turnover

40 AC GroupInterior and exterior contractor Bedfordshire Mar 17 81.49% 17,229 32,048 66 1987 Partners with international firms such as Mace

Construction and WeWork in Europe

41 Thermoseal GroupInsulated glass parts supplier Birmingham Dec 16 79.46% 2,751 26,020 132 1979 Ships insulated glass components to distributors

in 27 countries spanning five continents

42[71]

ViadexIT reseller Surrey Jun 17 78.27% 25,372 49,411 57 2001 Has overseas offices in South Africa, the US

and Singapore

43[37]

Titan AirwaysAirline Stansted Mar 17 78.04% 23,281 89,469 277 1988 One of its fleet is being used to transport the FIFA

World Cup trophy on a round-the-world tour

44 Oliver James AssociatesRecruitment consultancy Central London Dec 17 75.29% *39,173 *91,186 289 2002 Moved into Milan's new S32 skyscraper last

year, in the heart of the city's fintech district

45[58]

The Hut GroupOnline retailer Manchester Dec 17 75.04% *512,400 *736,000 3222 2004 Its 166 localised websites are available in 35

languages and ship to 193 locations

46[93]

DOMU Brands Homeware manufacturer Manchester Jun 17 74.65% 21,974 57,396 104 2009 Its US sales grew by almost 50% to

£19.9m last year

47 Optal Payment services developer Central London Dec 17 73.43% *177,653 *177,653 60 2002 Offers payment processing in 34 currencies

48[50]

Monica Vinader Jewellery designer Norfolk Jul 17 73.23% 15,875 35,767 184 2008 Has 15 boutiques across Asia, the Middle East

and the US

49 MNCMedia agency Central London Dec 16 71.85% 15,931 71,337 18 1997 Buys advertising in the UK for European

brands such as Shpock

50 PelsisPest control North Yorkshire Dec 16 71.59% 54,108 66,420 267 1984 Its Synergetic fly lights help to control flying

insects in the US, Canada and the Caribbean

Rank[2017]

Latest int'l sales

£000



Latest total sales






51 Fundamental MediaMedia agency Central London Dec 16 69.81% 34,781 59,773 60 2003 Provides media and marketing intelligence for

fund managers across more than 20 countries

52 Pureprint GroupPrinting services provider East Sussex Dec 17 69.66% *6,817 *58,005 431 1926 Says it became the first carbon neutral

printer in the world in 2002

53[131]

TeneoIT services consultancy Reading Jun 17 69.39% 33,447 46,963 79 2000 Has made three acquisitions in the US in

the last two years

54[148]

CVPAudiovisual equipment supplier West London May 17 68.86% 20,772 84,306 120 1986 Supplies video equipment to production

companies and broadcasters worldwide

55 VSI GroupLocalisation services provider Central London Dec 16 68.39% 18,291 30,360 109 1989 Localises more than 200,000 hours of

programming into over 50 languages each year

56 Delta GroupMarketing services provider

Northeast London Dec 17 68.06% *9,524 *94,975 851 1992 Its work includes movie promotions for Disney

and point-of-sale displays for Hasbro

57 PaladoneGift wholesaler West Sussex Jun 17 67.95% 14,240 32,064 85 1994 Strong demand in the US for its licensed and

own-brand ranges has boosted overseas sales

58 OriginBifold door manufacturer High Wycombe Dec 17 67.93% *2,220 *34,767 295 2002 Its doors have been tested in Florida to

withstand hurricane-force winds

59[82]

A-SafeSafety barrier manufacturer Halifax Dec 17 67.57% *36,304 *44,613 335 1984 Its safety barriers have been installed in

more than 30 international airports

60[67]

Matchesfashion.comLuxury fashion retailer Central London Jan 18 66.94% 227,812 292,791 574 1987 Delivers luxury fashion to 176 countries

61 BULK POWDERSSports nutrition brand Colchester Dec 17 66.38% *15,519 *32,201 150 2006 Heavyweight boxing champion Anthony

Joshua is a brand ambassador

62 END.Online menswear retailer

Newcastle upon Tyne Mar 17 66.24% 45,751 69,627 192 2005 The US is its largest international market

63[69]

WestcoastTechnology distributor Reading Dec 17 65.32% 437,054 2,227,220 1301 1984 Employs more than 1,300 people across

the UK and Europe

64[9]

Millennium GroupFood and drink distributor Essex May 17 62.83% 59,937 120,768 73 1999 Exports branded food and drink products

to Europe, Africa and the UAE

65[64]

mac-groupConstruction and fit-out County Down Dec 17 60.89% 94,724 94,724 83 2002 Works for global firms seeking modern

offices in Dublin

66 City Facilities ManagementFacilities maintenance provider Glasgow Dec 16 60.62% 266,022 617,736 11844 1985 Plans to expand in Europe after acquiring

French firm AMF in March last year

67 Highway Care Group Road safety product manufacturer Kent Dec 16 59.92% 17,594 27,358 82 1976 Its portable steel guards for roads are

popular in Australia

68[62]

Peninsula Employment law consultancy Manchester Mar 17 59.72% 56,139 176,039 2149 1983 Employs over 750 people across its operations

in Australia, New Zealand and Canada

69[170]

ClaranetIT services provider Central London Jun 17 59.52% 115,400 216,500 1289 1996 Opened an office in Italy last year, its first

organic growth in 20 years after 19 acquisitions

70[100]

CloserStillExhibition organiser West London Dec 17 58.83% *13,886 *47,189 200 2008 Its 27 annual global events and trade shows

attract more than 164,000 delegates

71 CAE Technology ServicesIT reseller Watford Jun 17 58.78% 6,098 95,672 201 1992 Has installed WiFi in Mulberry's luxury

handbag shops all around the world

72 VHRRecruitment consultancy

Southeast London Sep 17 58.63% *27,502 *34,925 84 2003 Has placed more than 1,300 staff for

Etihad Airways

73 Capital Hair and BeautyHair products wholesaler Brighton Dec 16 58.22% 2,324 40,166 357 1954 Runs 50 wholesale stores in the UK and Ireland

74[35]

Optima ContractingPartitioning systems manufacturer High Wycombe Jan 17 57.68% 12,633 55,310 340 1986 Completed nine projects in Saudi Arabia

last year

75 D R CollinSeafood supplier Berwickshire Apr 17 57.31% 31,837 43,915 160 1952 Supplies fresh fish and live shellfish to

restaurants in Spain, Italy, France and the US

Rank[2017]

Latest int'l sales

£000



Latest total sales





* Supplied by the company † annualised figure

76[115]

Evolution FoodsHealth foods retailer Shropshire Jun 17 56.86% 4,555 41,775 25 2006 Exports its packs of dried fruits, nuts and

healthy snacks to Europe

77 AurumJewellery retailer Leicester Apr 17 56.74% 39,845 565,531 1802 1778 Opening a flagship showroom in Hudson

Yards, New York in Spring 2019

78 Loch DuartSalmon farmer Sutherland Mar 17 56.59% 34,450 42,503 109 1999 Sells salmon to 20 countries, with Belgium,

France and Spain its main overseas markets

79 FreudsPublic relations agency Central London Dec 16 55.86% 20,023 41,575 246 1985 Mo Farah starred in its campaign to position

Dubai as a top tourist destination

80[54]

Vision Support ServicesTextile distributor Blackburn Mar 17 55.76% 12,253 47,243 140 2005 Some of the world's most famous hotels, such

as the Burj Al Arab in Dubai, use its linens

81 AVMIAudiovisual systems integrator Surrey Jun 17 55.53% 3,394 56,533 410 1990 Its 800 global customers include Facebook

and Bloomberg

82[30]

ContechsDesign and engineering consultancy Essex Dec 16 55.51% 12,575 48,683 124 1997 Its top overseas market is Germany, where it

has offices in Munich and Cologne

83 Eurostar GlobalElectronics distributor Staffordshire Apr 17 54.82% 47,061 70,858 42 2007 Recently appointed the only UK distributor of

Energizer's long battery life mobile phones

84 ClintecClinical researcher Glasgow Dec 17 54.65% *51,674 *52,069 747 1997 Says it provides clinical research to seven of

the top 10 global drug companies

85[161]

Bullitt Group Consumer electronics designer Reading Dec 17 54.52% *148,755 *156,785 120 2009 Has offices in the US, Taiwan, Singapore and

China and sells to more than 70 countries

86[104]

Frank Recruitment GroupIT recruitment consultancy

Newcastle upon Tyne Nov 17 53.19% *134,100 *177,700 1152 2006 Its seven global brands operate from 11

offices across the world

87 The Instant GroupOutsourced office supplier Central London Jul 17 52.98% 7,662 69,157 182 1999 Has found office space around the world for

more than 45,000 people in the last year

88[57]

John MorleyDried fruit importer Cheshire Dec 16 52.65% 10,660 31,205 123 1944 Imports fruit, nuts and seeds from 20

countries around the world

89[106]

Solent GroupConsumer goods supplier Dorset Dec 16 52.02% 5,524 42,144 124 1994 Supplies anti-bacterial reusable bags to South

African supermarkets

90 MacphieFood ingredients producer Aberdeenshire Mar 17 51.86% 13,636 53,922 321 1928 Supplies food ingredients to Europe and the

Middle East, its fastest-growing market

91 Simms InternationalIT distributor Kent Dec 16 51.76% 5,365 31,266 32 1990 Plans to expand its presence in Germany

and Scandinavia

92[94]

Cambridge CommoditiesNutritional supplement wholesaler Ely May 17 51.14% †10,351 †33,883 107 1998 Its ingredients are used by sports nutrition,

health and pet food companies across Europe

93 QualtexSpare parts distributor Manchester Dec 17 50.75% *8,100 *36,668 231 1961 Exports spare parts to more than 40 countries,

including the US

94 Comtec GroupTelecoms products distributor Cambridgeshire Dec 16 50.53% 9,236 46,162 142 1978 Expanded into Oman to support Ooredoo's

rollout of a superfast fibre network

95[40]

PrincipleBrand implementation agency Huddersfield Dec 17 50.38% *106,046 *154,287 460 1987 Acquired Italian agency Underline last year

to boost its European presence

96[46]

Mark Allen GroupPublisher and events organiser South London Mar 17 50.37% 5,782 37,147 280 1985 Organises events on four continents

97[26]

Efficio Procurement consultancy Central London Jun 17 50.21% 32,129 54,789 290 2000 Has 10 offices across the world, with regional

hubs in New York and Germany

98 Recycling LivesWaste management provider Preston Sep 17 49.45% 20,545 46,452 238 2008 Sales of scrap metals to countries such as

Pakistan support the firm's social welfare charity

99[98]

Gama HealthcareAntimicrobial product distributor Watford Mar 17 49.02% 5,513 26,374 53 2005 Australia and New Zealand are the biggest

markets for its infection control wet wipes

100 Mint VelvetWomenswear retailer High Wycombe Apr 17 47.33% 4,873 87,444 712 2009 The founders of River Island are supporting its

expansion in the UK and abroad

Rank[2017]

Latest int'l sales

£000



Latest total sales






101 Natures MenuPet food manufacturer Norfolk Mar 17 47.27% 2,461 30,856 189 1981 Has a Germany subsidiary that sells its

products to specialist pet stores

102 Financial ExpressFinancial data provider Central London Sep 17 47.18% 4,096 31,129 470 1996 Bought Australia's Money Management

publication last year

103[41]

LovehoneySex toy retailer Bath Mar 17 47.14% 26,203 76,340 251 2002 A licensing tie-up with US show Broad City is

helping it to broaden its appeal in America

104[166]

Morris & CompanyConglomerate Shrewsbury Mar 17 46.86% 4,197 52,027 708 1869 Sells lighting towers, generators, pumps and

pressure washers into 25 countries

105 E-LeatherEco-friendly materials developer Peterborough Apr 17 46.21% 26,444 29,435 161 1995 Has partnered with US sports giant Nike to

develop a new material, Nike Flyleather

106 White Clarke GroupFinance software developer Milton Keynes Dec 16 46.19% 42,273 51,619 450 1992 Its asset finance software is used by 100

customers in 30 countries

107[130]

Total Media GroupMedia agency Central London Dec 17 45.99% *41,481 *85,000 123 1982 Will be launching software tool Slack across

Europe, the Middle East and Africa

108[49]

the7starsMedia agency Central London Mar 17 45.73% 59,569 245,489 141 2005 Recent wins include the media contract for

Deliveroo across the UK and Ireland

109 WasabiSushi bar chain

Northwest London Dec 16 45.59% 6,107 98,092 1767 2002 Is opening sushi outlets across New York and

will expand to other American cities

110 Clarion EventsEvents organiser West London Jan 17 45.44% 53,111 146,021 775 1947 Organises more than 240 conferences and

exhibitions around the world

111[101]

OptionsFinancial technology provider Central London Dec 17 45.36% 34,443 50,402 172 1993 Has a global network of seven offices, 15

support locations and over 30 data centres

112 MMR Research WorldwideConsumer research agency Oxfordshire Mar 17 45.12% 31,129 44,538 366 1989 Owns a whisky distillery, which exports the Rascally

Liquor brand to Germany and Scandinavia

113[88]

XexecReward programme administrator

Northwest London Nov 17 44.76% *6,184 *33,476 48 2000 Its client base includes all big four global

accountancy firms and all five magic circle law firms

114 AardmanAnimated film producer Bristol Dec 16 44.44% 19,748 26,293 256 1976 Collaborated with the British Council to use its

Timmy Time character to teach English abroad

115[119]

MVFCustomer generation services North London Mar 17 43.63% 28,540 54,257 319 2009 Acquired Tech.co, a US technology news

site, earlier this year

116 Jones Knowles RitchieBrand design agency Central London Dec 16 43.53% 13,721 25,152 213 1990 Helped with the global launch of Hippeas - a

chickpea snack for millennials

117 STR GroupRecruitment consultancy Portsmouth Dec 16 43.40% 15,740 56,673 159 2000 Sources candidates for the robotics sector in

the US automotive and life sciences industries

118 Whitworth Group Flour miller Northamptonshire Mar 17 43.22% †15,661 †253,780 520 1886 Exports flour to large-scale food manufacturers

and bakeries in Ireland and across Europe

119[154]

Boss DesignOffice furniture manufacturer Dudley Mar 17 42.09% 13,765 41,396 265 1983 Has designed seating and tables for Etihad's

airport lounges around the world

120[47]

MicroliseVehicle tracking developer Nottingham Jun 17 41.70% 4,516 48,432 430 1982 In 2017, it won a deal to supply its technology to

Emirates Logistics in the Middle East

121 Core AssetsFoster care agency Worcestershire Dec 16 41.40% 52,301 178,586 1616 1994 Provides social care services for children in 10

countries across four continents

122[107]

DR WakefieldCoffee merchant Central London Jan 17 41.15% 13,182 31,673 17 1970 Distributes more than 350 different coffees

to 32 countries around the world

123[66]

CennoxBanking automation services Surrey Dec 17 40.30% *36,257 *60,370 682 2004 Supplies some of the largest global banks

with cash machines

124[165]

The Little GroupMedia wholesaler Eastbourne Feb 17 39.98% 141,005 306,073 1207 1996 Its distribution centre in Florida supplies CDs,

DVDs, vinyl and books to the US market

125[48]

John AdamsToy wholesaler Cambridgeshire Dec 17 39.75% *5,738 *34,609 40 1967 Sells its own brand and licensed character

games to 20 countries

Rank[2017]

Latest int'l sales

£000



Latest total sales






126[153]

Les Caves de PyreneWine merchant Surrey Mar 17 39.26% 6,523 34,080 128 2010 Represents 18 American wine growers in

California, Oregon and Vermont

127 TWMAEnvironmental services provider Aberdeen Dec 16 38.99% 32,552 49,245 312 2000 Has a strong presence in the Middle East and

North Africa, including a new base in Abu Dhabi

128[136]

Winning MovesGames maker Central London Mar 17 38.81% 20,852 35,267 142 1997 Makes the Monopoly board game, sold in 111

countries and printed in 37 languages

129[193]

BrewDogBrewery Aberdeenshire Dec 17 38.26% *21,628 *111,551 777 2007 Ships the equivalent of 65m bottles of beer

to more than 60 countries annually

130[171]

CDE GlobalProcessing equipment manufacturer County Tyrone Dec 17 38.23% *47,439 *65,043 253 1992 Its industrial processing machinery is

used in 70 countries

131[151]

Mind GymCorporate learning provider Central London Mar 17 38.01% 21,842 30,613 195 2000 Helped US mortgage company Freddie Mac

implement change across the organisation

132[117]

The Change OrganisationIT distributor Kent Mar 17 37.86% 5,595 28,642 38 1992 Its warehouse in Kent supplies IT hardware to

resellers across Britain and Europe

133 EnerMechEngineering services provider Aberdeen Dec 17 37.86% *295,900 *365,269 2900 2008 Operates from 40 facilities in 23 countries,

including Australia and Azerbaijan

134[6]

NCMTEngineer Surrey Feb 17 37.80% 14,742 40,330 111 1964 Is the sole UK agent for the Japanese

machine tool firm, Makino

135 Demon TweeksMotorsports retailer Wrexham Dec 16 37.62% 10,874 48,418 174 1971 Its website accepts sales in nine

currencies and ships to 200 countries

136[144]

Osprey EuropeBackpack distributor Poole Jul 17 37.50% 26,656 36,122 47 2003 Distributes its products throughout Europe

from its warehouse in the Netherlands

137[192]

Usborne PublishingChildren's book publisher Central London Jan 17 37.33% 55,499 78,857 244 1973 Publishes children's books in more than

100 languages

138 The Collinson GroupLoyalty and benefits provider Central London Apr 17 37.25% 521,429 625,833 2,009 1991 Its Priority Pass scheme provides members with

access to more than 1,200 airport lounges

139[85]

ChildrensalonChildrenswear retailer Tunbridge Wells Dec 17 36.79% *67,526 *78,519 286 1952 Its customer service staff speak more

than 30 languages

140 DecoraBlind manufacturer

Northern Ireland Dec 16 36.49% 5,042 58,827 631 1979 Recently launched its first bespoke product

for the European blind market

141[139]

Amoria BondRecruitment consultancy Manchester Nov 17 36.46% 33,637 51,223 129 2007 Its overseas clients include Mercedes-AMG,

Bosch and Honda

142[142]

BPD HoldingsBuilding product manufacturer Cheshire Mar 17 36.44% 6,778 29,835 284 2002 Has manufacturing facilities in South Africa,

Nottinghamshire and South Wales

143 FAI AutomotiveAutomotive parts supplier

Leighton Buzzard Dec 17 35.79% 13,726 30,123 108 1985 Planning to open a distribution hub in

Eastern Europe

144 ustwoDigital design studio Central London Dec 16 35.02% 15,542 29,236 249 2004 Its Monument Valley game has been

downloaded 30m times worldwide

145 CFC UnderwritingInsurance intermediary Central London Sep 17 34.85% 34,310 45,489 215 2000 Provides insurance to over 50,000 businesses

in more than 75 countries

146 White StuffFashion retailer South London Apr 17 34.82% 8,978 153,602 2084 1985 Its casual clothes are popular in Germany,

where it has 19 stores

147 NiftyliftLift manufacturer Milton Keynes Dec 16 34.69% 37,124 87,100 443 1985 Exports to more than 40 countries worldwide

and its website is available in four languages

148 Tech21 Device impact protection maker

Southwest London May 17 34.67% 111,273 121,576 81 2005 Retail partnerships with Apple and Amazon

have boosted international sales

149 WiggleCRCOnline sports goods retailer Portsmouth Jan 17 34.52% 148,398 282,946 751 1999 Bought German online retailer Bike24 for a

reported £100m last year

150[109]

Leo GroupRecycler Halifax Apr 17 34.18% 50,814 79,544 408 1970 Has processing plants in Europe, Africa and Asia

Rank[2017]

Latest int'l sales

£000



Latest total sales






151 Titan EntertainmentPublisher Central London Dec 16 34.10% 16,526 43,018 276 1978 Its book publishing arm has ecommerce

sites in America, Canada and Australia

152 Fayrefield FoodsDairy services provider Crewe Dec 16 33.86% 87,778 207,638 193 1982 Stores, cuts and packs cheddar before exporting

it to more than 30 countries worldwide

153 Orbital EducationInternational schools operator Cheshire Aug 17 33.84% 27,467 27,767 446 2005 Its schools offer a British education and have

proved popular in China and Ecuador

154[89]

AvalonEntertainment producer and manager West London Jun 17 33.68% *68,178 *131,612 133 1988 Produces worldwide hit shows including Last

Week Tonight with John Oliver and Catastrophe

155[128]

RaphaCycling clothing maker North London Jan 17 33.47% 48,100 67,076 344 2004 Has 22 'clubhouse' stores across four continents

156[75]

Hyperion Insurance GroupInsurance broker and underwriter Central London Sep 17 33.11% 421,977 541,659 3,794 1994 Secured $400m funding from Canadian

investor CDPQ last year

157 ReissFashion retailer Central London Jan 17 32.71% 42,132 164,540 1,474 1971 Plans to open 12 concessions in South Korean

department stores by the end of 2018

158 NisbetsCatering equipment supplier Bristol Dec 17 32.68% *88,426 *380,533 1,754 1983 Ships catering equipment to more than

500,000 customers in 100 countries

159[84]

ProsealSealing equipment manufacturer Cheshire Jan 17 32.67% 24,930 51,713 292 1998 Has 12 global distributors as well as overseas

manufacturing facilities in the US and Australia

160 Gravity Media GroupBroadcast services provider Watford Dec 16 32.42% 54,239 75,187 207 2000 Services customers globally from offices in the

UK, Australia, US, France, Germany and Qatar

161[68]

George PragnellFine jewellery retailer

Stratford-upon-Avon May 17 32.08% 18,647 36,765 70 1954 Its customers include European royalty and

international entrepreneurs

162[145]

SupremiaMarketing services provider

Northwest London Mar 17 31.98% 49,307 51,843 114 1981 Works in 32 countries across five continents

for clients including Unilever and Diageo

163 BOFA InternationalFume extractor manufacturer Poole May 17 31.72% 21,067 25,128 206 1987 Its fume and dust extraction systems are

sold to more than 120 countries

164 Hadley GroupMetal product manufacturer West Midlands Apr 17 31.71% 45,774 127,681 603 1964 Its products will be used in the construction of

zero-carbon Masdar City in Abu Dhabi

165 Horizon International CargoFreight forwarder Heathrow Dec 16 31.70% 37,817 39,709 82 1991 Processes more than 15,000 tonnes of air

freight a year

166 Aston MartinSports car maker Warwickshire Dec 17 31.33% 683,000 875,993 1,753 1913 Sold more than 5,000 cars around the world last

year, boosted by demand in the US and China

167 The Knowledge AcademyTraining provider Bracknell Mar 17 31.15% 8,004 28,858 187 2009 Offers training globally in English, French,

Spanish and other languages

168[135]

HH GlobalMarketing services provider Surrey Mar 17 31.04% 205,901 266,826 827 1991 Global brands that use its services include

Samsung, Bayer and Google

169[124]

Connect Distribution ServicesAppliance parts distributor Birmingham Apr 17 31.03% 8,289 103,202 562 1969 Supplies more than 100,000 parts and

accessories across Europe

170 Beautybay.comOnline cosmetics retailer Salford Dec 16 30.84% 17,044 51,059 117 1999 Ships cosmetic products to customers in

101 countries

171[137]

MPM ProductsPet food producer Manchester Dec 17 30.62% 36,212 56,854 68 2002 Exports have been boosted by a boom in pet

ownership in China

172[34]

BaxtersFood producer Edinburgh Apr 17 30.62% 212,369 296,719 1,463 1868 Its Canadian business produced 84m cans of

soup during the 2017 financial year

173[21]

ShinerSports goods distributor Bristol Apr 17 30.57% 17,825 39,988 97 1936 Exports sports equipment, such as

skateboards, to 35 countries

174 PricecheckConsumer goods supplier Sheffield Apr 17 30.06% 22,325 54,912 98 1978 Distributes over 3,000 branded consumer

products to more than 75 countries

175 iKas GroupRecruitment consultancy Central London Dec 16 29.34% 12,997 35,805 63 2004 Turnover at its Asia Pacific operations grew

51% to £12.8m in 2016

Rank[2017]

Latest int'l sales

£000



Latest total sales





* Supplied by the company † annualised figure

176 IM GroupCar distributor Warwickshire Dec 16 29.31% 238,569 626,895 460 1976 Has a property portfolio worth over £900m,

30% of which is in Europe and America

177[169]

Caffè NeroCoffee house operator Central London May 17 29.07% *57,763 *328,864 5500 1997 Plans to expand across New England from

Boston, where it has 18 cafés

178 Brigade ElectronicsSafety device manufacturer Kent Jan 17 28.97% 21,458 36,057 143 1976 Exports its vehicle safety systems to

five continents

179[87]

Comline Auto PartsAutomotive parts supplier Luton Mar 17 28.90% 30,338 48,535 159 1991 Set up a subsidiary in Ireland last year,

adding to its bases in Greece and Spain

180[81]

M2M DirectIT distributor Kent Dec 16 28.81% 23,943 53,857 18 1998 Exports memory and storage

products to the US, Asia and Europe

181 John Cotton GroupBedding manufacturer West Yorkshire Feb 17 28.58% 31,104 180,509 1285 1916 Acquired Australian pillow and duvet

manufacturer Tontine last year for A$14m

182[197]

NPWGift maker

Southwest London Feb 18 28.44% *22,973 *35,298 114 1992 Supplies retailers Target and Walgreens in

the US, and H&M and OVS in Europe

183 BearmachVehicle parts supplier Caerphilly Dec 17 28.36% *29,301 *39,699 152 1958 Sells 330,000 spare parts a month to more

than 140 countries

184 Result ClothingClothing wholesaler Colchester Jun 17 28.25% 14,563 28,974 37 1994 Manufactures in Bangladesh and China

and has a distribution centre in Suffolk

185 JoJo Maman BébéMaternity and babywear retailer South Wales Jun 17 28.19% 6,040 57,535 783 1993 Opened its first three US shops in

Connecticut and New Jersey this spring

186 Panesar FoodsSauce manufacturer West Midlands Feb 17 28.15% 3,006 28,023 178 1992 Produces 12,000 tonnes of sauces a year,

sold in the UK and Europe

187[179]

Swan Mill HoldingsPaper tableware manufacturer Kent Mar 17 27.88% 11,770 56,447 280 1892 Has expanded its Asian Daisy Darcy brand

into greeting cards and Christmas decorations

188[164]

Travel CounsellorsTravel services provider Manchester Oct 17 27.88% *47,344 *216,892 339 1994 Its 1,800 self-employed travel experts offer

trips to 450,000 customers globally

189 Study GroupEducation service provider Central London Dec 16 27.44% 168,469 310,400 3325 1994 Recruits and teaches international students

for top universities across the world

190[99]

ApricotFashion retailer Central London Feb 17 27.38% 12,249 42,622 235 2007 Has 800 concessions and stockists across

mainland Europe, the US and Canada

191[118]

Charles FaramBrewery raw materials supplier Worcestershire Jun 17 27.22% 15,465 41,379 45 1865 Exports more than 140 varieties of hop to

breweries in 50 countries

192[120]

Wyke FarmsCheesemaker Somerset Mar 17 26.84% 11,479 67,455 262 1963 Its award-winning cheddars are sold around

the world, from Sierra Leone to Seoul

193[152]

Sapphire SystemsSystems integrator Central London Mar 17 26.65% 8,818 31,203 210 1993 Paddy Power Betfair uses its cloud

hosting service across the US and Italy

194 The Brand Machine GroupBranded childrenswear designer Hertford Jan 17 26.60% 7,452 43,033 63 1990 Designs and supplies childrenswear

under licence from global brands

195 Ahmad TeaTea maker Hampshire Dec 16 26.51% 54,311 58,006 303 1986 Supplies its tea to international airlines

including Royal Jordanian and Thai Airlines

196 Tangerine GroupAnimal nutrition manufacturer Lancashire Jun 17 26.35% 11,606 25,038 219 1995 Sends its own vets to run training

seminars around the globe

197 World of BooksBooks and media reseller West Sussex Oct 17 26.34% *18,692 *57,360 592 2002 Says it is Europe's largest seller of used

books, sold through 21 international websites

198 Ptarmigan MediaFinancial media agency Central London Dec 17 26.13% *44,623 *84,221 85 1993 Its New York office serves financial firms

such as J.P. Morgan and Franklin Templeton

199[44]

Whitemeadow FurnitureFurniture manufacturer Nottinghamshire Dec 16 25.71% 2,254 43,692 443 1994 Supplies Irish furniture retailers with

handcrafted upholstered furniture

200[174]

KinapsePharmaceutical regulation consultant

Southwest London Mar 17 25.48% 24,470 32,857 650 2005 Works with 19 of the world’s top 25

pharmaceutical companies

Rank[2017]

Latest int'l sales

£000



Latest total sales




METHODOLOGY

Qualification criteria

Companies were ranked on their compound annual growth rate (CAGR) in international sales over their latest two years of available accounts, predominantly from 2014 to 2016, or 2015 to 2017. International sales were defined as declared non-UK revenue.

Of the 200 companies in the league table, 41 had financial years ending in 2016, 157 had financial years ending in 2017 and two had financial years ending in 2018.

Limitations: The research is based on the limited available data on international sales. Companies filing abbreviated accounts are not required to disclose any geographical breakdown of sales, and many companies filing full accounts do not make this disclosure on the grounds that it may be prejudicial to their interests.

Qualification criteria:

• UK-registered, unquoted, independent and making an operating profit

• Base year international sales greater than £500,000

• Latest year international sales greater than £1m

• Latest year total sales greater than £25m. Any sales from joint ventures were excluded (companies with sales less than £25m are eligible for our SME Export Track 100)

• International sales greater than 5% of total sales in latest year

• No drop in international sales from penultimate to latest year

• Latest year staff numbers greater than 10

• Recruitment, media and travel agencies must show gross profits of at least £5m in the latest year

• At least 25 trading weeks in latest and base year (trading periods different from 52 weeks were annualised on a simple straight pro-rata basis)

• Companies in the top 10 cannot feature on the same figures two years in a row

Research approach

The main research was conducted by Fast Track primarily between January 2018 and May 2018. Companies were selected from a database of 2m private limited UK companies after extensive desk, telephone and case study research. The majority of the companies in the league table have been interviewed by Fast Track.



SPONSORS & MEDIA PARTNERFast Track would particularly like to thank the title sponsor of International Track 200, HSBC, for sponsoring the league table for all nine years, and DHL Express, which is supporting the table for the second year.

The sponsors do not endorse, guarantee or recommend investment in any of the companies.

Sponsors

HSBC has been the title sponsor for all nine years.

HSBC is one of the world’s largest banks serving over 1 million UK businesses among 37 million customers worldwide. Our international banking network covers 54 international markets and gives us access to around 90% of world trade flows.

Alongside specialist teams serving eight key sectors, two further teams offer core financing support. Our Leverage Finance service supports deals of all sizes, facilitating M&A, syndication financing, and access to high-yield bonds and Treasury. Our Commercial Banking Origination service facilitates and advises on sophisticated corporate financing in the UK and Europe.

Amanda MurphyHead of Commercial Banking, UK

business.hsbc.uk/corporate@HSBCUKBusiness

DHL Express is a main sponsor for a second year.

DHL Express is the global market leader in the international express delivery market, specialising in time and day critical shipping to all corners of the world. With a network spanning over 220 countries and territories, DHL ensures your products are quickly and reliably delivered to destinations all over the world, providing tailored delivery options and returns. Whether you are a new or experienced international shipper, DHL is here to help. From improving your website’s international appeal, to the intricacies of customs duties and taxes, DHL Express offers support at every stage of the export journey.

Ian WilsonChief executive, DHL Express UK & Ireland

DHLguide.co.uk@DHLExpressUK



Media partner

The Sunday Times has published the International Track 200 for all nine years.

The Sunday Times is Britain’s No 1 newspaper for business, and the leading broadsheet newspaper attracting over 3m readers every week. More than half (54%) of the business elite read The Sunday Times, a greater market share than any other publication, according to the latest Ipsos survey.

Iain Dey Business editor

thesundaytimes.co.uk@ST_Business



ABOUT FAST TRACK

Compiler & publisher

Hamish Stevenson owns and runs Fast Track, which he founded in 1997 after securing cornerstone and ongoing sponsorship from Sir Richard Branson. He works closely with our sponsors and our network of leading entrepreneurs and media partner to try to ensure their expectations are exceeded, and that they remain engaged with the alumni network.

Hamish is an associate fellow at Green Templeton College, Oxford University, where he completed his masters and doctorate in management studies, and subsequently set up and held the Virgin research fellowship in entrepreneurship. He also has a degree in politics from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.

The authors

Lindsay Uppadine manages the research for the International Track 200 league table. She joined the company in 2006, having previously worked as a research associate at Library House in Cambridge. She spent three years as a post-doctoral research chemist at the Université Louis Pasteur in Strasbourg, France; and has a doctorate and masters in chemistry from Oxford University.

Richard Tyler leads Fast Track’s editorial, working closely with sponsors and companies within our network. He was the enterprise editor of The Daily and Sunday Telegraph for nine years, covering private companies and government policy. He trained in journalism at Euromoney, part of The Daily Mail & General Trust, after completing his degree at Manchester University.

Jon MacLeod is director of research at Fast Track. Prior to this he was a director in the equity research department of Citigroup Global Markets, where he worked for 17 years. He began his career in the fixed income markets and has also worked as a financial journalist. He has a masters in social and political science from Cambridge University.



Fast Track

International Track 200 is compiled by Fast Track, the UK's leading research and face-to-face networking events company, which ranks the UK's top-performing private companies and entrepreneurs.

Fast Track has compiled league tables on private companies in partnership with The Sunday Times for the last 21 years. It produces six other annual private company league table awards programmes:

SME Export Track 100 ranks Britain's private SMEs with the fastest-growing international sales (total sales less than £25m)

Tech Track 100 ranks Britain's private technology (TMT) companies with the fastest-growing sales

Fast Track 100 ranks Britain’s private companies with the fastest-growing sales (excluding tech companies)

Profit Track 100 ranks Britain's mid-market private companies with the fastest-growing profits

Top Track 250 ranks Britain’s leading mid-market private growth companies with the biggest sales (next tier down from Top Track 100: £115m to £630m with a minimum 5% growth in sales or profit)

Top Track 100 ranks Britain’s private companies with the biggest sales (£630m to £20bn)

Fast Track is based in Oxford with 29 staff, and a network of freelance researchers.

CONTACT DETAILS

Fast Track Angel Court 81 St Clements Street Oxford OX4 1AW

Tel: 01865 297 100 Fax: 01865 297 001

Email: [email protected] Web: www.fasttrack.co.uk twitter: @ST_FastTrack

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