Strong performances have beenrecorded across a wide range of sectors,and for different reasons. For instance,shoemaker Dr Martens (No 25) has beeninvesting heavily in its Northamptonshirefactory as it drives brand awareness world-wide. Consumers from Asia to America have responded, lifting 2019 sales by 30% to £454.4m and ebitda by 70% to £85m.

The dominant sector is services, with100 such companies making the grade.Fast-growing ventures include Iris(No 172), which develops accounting soft-ware used by small businesses and wasvalued at £1.3bn last year when it wasacquired by Hg Capital. It has scaled rap-idly, partly through acquisitions, hittingsales of £162.2m in 2019. Other compa-nies, such as school operator InspiredEducation (No 102), marketing servicesfirm Paragon (No 9) and VetPartners(No 250), are all taking part in the consoli-dation of their sectors in the UK andabroad. In his article below, Grant Thorn-ton’s Dave Munton looks at why suchcompanies remain so resilient.

One sector that has declined is retail,with 42 companies represented, downfrom 57. Yet even here there are examplesof rapid expansion, such as Solihull-basedGymshark (No 154), the fitness clothingbrand founded only in 2012.

Sustained growth over long periods is acharacteristic shared by many of thisyear’s companies, as Scott Barton ofLloyds Banking Group highlights thisresilience on page 4. Boasting a record 14consecutive appearances is Travelodge(No 2), the budget hotel chain. It clockedup a 9% rise in sales to £693.3m. Based inOxfordshire, it is one of eight companiesin the top 10 that are headquartered out-side London. The north of England ishome to 64 companies, the southeast 41and the Midlands 34 — including this year’sNo 1, Nuneaton- based Holland & Barrett.

While private equity may be backingsome of the fastest-growing companies,that is so for only 65, down from 87 lastyear. Instead, more founders or family-owned firms feature, from Stefan King’sG1 Group (No 236), whose venues includeScotland’s smallest pub, to AnthonyBloom’s Brighton & Hove Albion footballclub (No 206).

They will all be working to sustain thatsuccess — be it on the pitch or shop floor —in the years to come.

2 TravelodgeSales £693.3m U 9% Profit £61.3m U 5%

Founded in 1985 with its first hotel in Barton-under-Needwood, Staffordshire, the Oxfordshire-based Travelodge chain operates more than 580 hotels in Britain, Ireland and Spain. In May, its chief executive, Peter Gowers, 47, revealed plans to open a further 17this year, including in Bury St Edmunds, Glasgow and Winchester. Theseestablishments, to be developed by third-party investors, will have an estimated value of £115m.

3 IM GroupSales £661.8m U 15% Profit £82.5m V 9%

Car sales and financing, alongside property, make up this Warwickshire business, founded in 1976 by its chairman, Lord Edmiston, 73. It owns franchises for Subaru, Isuzu and China’s Great Wall Motor Company. His son Andrew Edmiston, 50, as managing director, has expanded the group’s property portfolio in Germany, France and America, where its largest development — a 750,000 sq ft retail site in Wisconsin — opened in 2017.

4 BGL GroupSales £660.9m U 13% Profit £152.8m U 18%

The Peterborough-based BGL Group provides insurance and household financial services to 10m customers through brands including comparethemarket.com and Beagle Street. In 2017, the company, led by chief executive Matthew Donaldson, 46, sold a 30% stake to the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board in a deal worth £675m. Profit rose to £152.8m in 2018, making it one of the most profitable companies on the league table.

5 Turner & TownsendSales £639.9m U 17% Profit £53.1m U 25%

This construction consultancy works in infrastructure, property and natural resources and is advising on projects such as the Battersea power station redevelopment and the expansion of Schiphol airport in Amsterdam. Based in Leeds and led by chief executive Vincent Clancy, 55, the firm has more than 110 offices in 45 countries. Its work on a project for the Australian Rail Track Corporation, with a value of £2.2bn, helped increase sales by 17% to £639.9m.

While the clock is tickingdown on Britain’s exitfrom the EU and parlia-ment is focused on theshort term, the leadersof the country’s mid-market private growthcompanies have theirheads up and are plan-ning for the new dec-

ade. Research for the 15th annual SundayTimes Grant Thornton Top Track 250found directors are investing in technol-ogy to drive productivity and automaterepetitive tasks, and revising their busi-ness models to reflect the changing com-petitive environment.

“The key thing for us is that all thelong-term trends are great,” said PeterMunk, chief executive of Hull-basedholiday home maker Willerby (rankedNo 158 in our table).

“It’s really important not to get caughtup in the next month and it is crucial thatwe stay close to our customers.”

The directors’ views are explored fur-ther by Mo Merali and Simon Littlewoodof Grant Thornton on page 3.

Despite difficult trading conditions,this year’s companies have seen theircombined profits increase by 20% to£5.9bn, with two-thirds improving profitmargins. Total sales were up 16% to£63.3bn, and together they employ373,000 people.

Against the headwinds of political and economic uncertainty that have been a consistent feature of the UK economy over the past year, mid-market firms have continued to prove their resilience. For some, doing deals is how to get ahead. With the profits of this year’s Sunday Times Grant Thornton Top Track 250 up 20% to £5.9bn on combined sales of £63.3bn, many firms are catching the eye of domestic and international investors.

Despite the ructions in Westminster, inquiries from

Mid-market firms are navigating choppy waters home and abroad

Adapting to uncertainty and finding ways to growAmerican, Chinese, Indian and Middle Eastern investors have increased. There have been 7,119 mergers or acquisitions involving UK companies by foreign buyers since the start of 2016, according to the data firm Dealogic, up 40% on the previous three years.

It means UK managementteams have options — and are making big calls. Derby-based Pattonair, for instance, a Top Track 250 alumnus, agreed a $1.9bn merger in August with its American aerospace peer Wesco. Earlier in the year, Alastair Storey, the founder of catering group WSH, chose to raise capital by selling “a significant stake” to the American private equity firm Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, in a deal valuing the former Top Track 250 member at £780m.

The fastest-growing companies on this year’s league table have also acted decisively. For instance, Patrick Crean, the chief

executive of Paragon (No 9), a marketing services and technology group with sales of £594.6m in 2018, has tripled the sizeof his business in recentyears through organic growth and deals in the UK and the rest of northern Europe.

Instead of tapping privateequity, Crean has retained ownership and used Paragon’s strong cash flows and credit rating to buy complementary businesses. Since 2016, it has issued €141m in bonds on the Luxembourg MTF market. The most recent was significantly oversubscribed.

This experience reflects our conversations with companies operating in the UK’s mid-market. Learning from the last financial crisis, companies now have a tighter control on their treasury functions and pay much closer attention to working capital requirements. Management teams with this

disciplined approach to finance, and a clear vision, are attractive to institutional and private equity investors.

This dynamic is giving private companies such as Paragon the confidence to pursue their plans. Sean Shine, Paragon’s chief operating officer, says his industry — customer communications and marketing services — is undergoing “dramatic change”. The continuing rise of digital communications is one factor, and the new GDPR regulations on personaldata use are prompting companies to rethink how they contact customers.

“There is now a much higher risk of sanctions, and this means companies are questioning the capability and processes of their suppliers,” says Shine, adding that Paragon is in a strong position. “Although there is a degree of uncertainty, the market is

ripe for consolidation. We continue to review a number of significant acquisition opportunities, and have the funding lined up to execute the right deals.”

Like Paragon, more than half the companies on this year’s Top Track 250 operate overseas, and there is no substitute for being on the ground when local opportunities arise. To help more mid-market companies capitalise on overseas opportunities, our Growth 365 international team of advisers works alongside management to expand their businesses. We can tap our global network of 50,000 people in 135 countries, leveraging their connections and providing valuable introductions to customers, suppliers and local advisers.

After all, great business ideas can come from anywhere in the world. Five Guys (No 191), for instance, took the concept for its

freshly prepared burgers and milkshakes from America and launched it in the UK in 2012, where it already has more than 100 restaurants. A good-quality product at a distinct price point, delivered with American-style customer service, makes Five Guys stand out clearly in the competitive casual dining sector. The company also uses its mystery shopping programme to invest almost 2% of its £149.5m revenue in its staff, rewarding excellent service.

Looked at through the lensof this year’s Top Track 250, Britain’s mid-market companies remain in good health. International capital continues to knock on doors, and our leading mid-market companies will be able to use that money to create jobs at home, as well as to take their intellectual property out into the world.

Dave Munton is head of UK markets at Grant Thornton UK

DAVE MUNTONGrant Thornton

Businesses could learn from Five Guys’ launch in the UK

Long-term optimists are setting the paceChief executives are adapting to grasp the future with both hands, writes Richard Tyler

October 6, 2019 Researched and compiled by Fast Track

Title sponsor Main sponsor

BRITAIN’S LEADING PRIVATE MID-MARKETGROWTHCOMPANIES

TOPTRACK 25050K 250K 250

FAST TRACK

Follow us @ST_Fast Track

Awards dinnercar partner

Top Track 250 ranks Britain’s private mid-market growth companies by sales, with required growth in profit or sales. It is produced by Fast Track, the Oxford firm that researches Britain’stop-performing private companies and organises invitation-only dinners for their owners and directors to network and meet its sponsors.

For full ranking criteria, see page 2

1 Holland & BarrettSales £697.3m U 6% Profit £110.7m V 3%

Surging demand for health food and dietary supplements has made high street stalwart Holland & Barrett a household name with a global footprint. Founded in 1870 by Alfred Slapps Barrett and Major William Holland as a single grocery store in Bishop’s Stortford, it now stocks 9,000 products ranging from Valerian root to vegan protein shakes at 1,300-plus stores as far afield as Sweden and Hong Kong.

International sales accounted for aquarter of its £697.3m revenue last

year, up 6%. Now based in Nuneaton, it has 225 stores in India, 164 in Holland and 18 in Belgium. It also ships directly to consumers across Europe via its website, which saw sales leap by a third to £70.7m.

In Britain and Ireland, where the company has almost 800 stores, it is taking on the fast-growing “free-from” market, with plans to stock 3,000 products for food allergy sufferers. It is also rebranding to highlight its green credentials — last month it stopped selling wet wipes to reduce environmental damage — and position itself as the retailer of choice for

environmentally and health-conscious consumers.

Under the ownership of L1 Retail, thecompany’s ambitions are global. The investment fund, led by Russian billionaire Mikhail Fridman, bought it for £1.8bn in 2017 from private equity firm Carlyle, the owner since 2010. Holland & Barrett has outlined a 10-year strategy that will see the business become bigger outside Britain than inside it, and triple sales to £2bn.

A leadership reshuffle has ensued, with the former Travis Perkins chief operating officer Tony Buffin, 47, named chief executive in May, replacing Peter

Aldis, who held the role for 10 years. Meanwhile, Steve Carson, 51 — a former director at Argos and Sainsbury’s — was promoted to group managing director.

The global health and wellbeing market is fiercely competitive. Pressure from companies such as Amazon, which bought the upmarket chain Whole Foods for $13.7bn in 2017, has made digital innovation essential. Holland & Barrett has responded with the appointment of its first chief technology officer as it aims for a greater share of the market — estimated to be worth $4.2 trillion.

Tony Buffin, who joined Holland & Barrett as chief executive in May, has ridden the surge in healthfoods and witnessed a 6% rise in sales to £697.3m

VICKI COUCHMAN

2 The Sunday Times October 6, 2019

RULES OFENGAGEMENT

Sponsors: Fast Track’s sole source of revenue is our sponsors. We would like to thank our title sponsor, Grant Thornton, for a 10th year, and main sponsor Lloyds Banking Group for a fourth year.Nominations: submissionsto Fasttrack.co.uk or info@fasttrack.co.uk.

famecompanyinfo.com

Disclaimer: Featured companies are not endorsed or recommended by the sponsors or Fast Track.

The league table is basedon historical data and is not an indicator of present or future performance; nor are they necessarily the best-run companies.

Some exceptions were made to the qualification criteria. The compiler’s decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into.

Data collection: Sources included Bureau van Dijk’s Fame, Companies House and Experian’s MarketIQ. Some companies nominated themselves, others were identified through desk research and draft accounts.

The research was concluded on July 26, 2019. Accounts filed later were not necessarily considered.Incomplete data: Every effort is made to include all qualifying companies, but there may be omissions.

Exclusions: Quoted companies, subsidiaries, joint venture and consortium organisations, entities majority-owned by quoted or other companies or that generate the majority of sales through quoted subsidiaries, financial trading companies, not-for-profit companies, mutual societies, co-operative societies, member-owned buying groups, housing associations and partnership structures are excluded.

reporting turnover for financial years ending after December 31, 2017, are included.

Companies had to be registered in the UK and be independent, unquoted and ultimate holding companies.

Sales for recruitment, marketing or travel agencies include gross monies handled on behalf of clients. Companies with sales below the 250th company were considered for our Ones to Watch table (page 9).

The annual Top Track 250 league table — now in its 15th year — ranks Britain’s private mid-market growth firms by latest sales. It complements the Top Track 100 league table of Britain’s biggest private companies by listing the next 250 growth firms.Criteria: Operating profit margins must exceed 2%. Sales in the latest year must have grown by 5% or more for companies with the highest sales, 10% for those with lower sales; or profit growth

must have been 5% or more. Sales must be no more than £700m and are taken from latest available accounts, excluding shares from joint ventures.

Profits are operating profitsbefore exceptional items, joint ventures and impairmentof assets; in some exceptions, where indicated, ebitda was used. For accounting periods not equal to a year, financials have been presented in proportion on an annual basis. Only companies

* Supplied by the company † Annualised figure ‡ Profit = Ebitda Publisher and compiler: Hamish Stevenson. Editorial: Richard Tyler, John Elliott. Research managers: Mike Harding, Will Paige

Rank2019

Rank2018 Company Activity Location

Yearend

Sales,£m

Operating profit, £m Staff

1 6 Holland & Barrett Health food and supplements retailer Warwickshire Sep 18 697.3 110.7 7,288

2 8 Travelodge Budget hotel operator Oxfordshire Dec 18 693.3 61.3 7,210

3 IM Group Car distributor Warwickshire Dec 18 661.8 82.5 530

4 5 BGL Group Insurance/price comparison provider Peterborough Jun 18 660.9 152.8 2,684

5 19 Turner & Townsend Construction consultancy Leeds Apr 19 *639.9 *53.1 6,105

6 49 HC-One Care home operator Darlington Sep 18 639.1 54.1 25,281

7 14 Barchester Healthcare Care home operator Central London Dec 18 621.3 35.1 15,754

8 18 Keepmoat Homes Housebuilder Doncaster Oct 18 597.0 45.7 1,129

9 13 Paragon Marketing communications services Central London Jun 18 594.6 13.4 5,674

10 17 RAC Breakdown and motoring services Walsall Dec 18 592.4 83.0 3,658

11 24 Andrew Marr International Seafood trader East Yorkshire Mar 18 590.5 18.6 310

12 15 Virgin Active Health club operator Central London Dec 18 *586.7 *86.3 9,440

13 21 Hyperion Insurance Group Insurance broker and underwriter Central London Sep 18 578.9 107.7 4,332

14 20 Associated British Ports Port operator Central London Dec 18 577.6 261.7 2,344

15 CEF Electrical parts wholesaler Warwickshire Apr 18 569.0 12.9 2,806

16 28 NG Bailey Mechanical, electrical contractor West Yorkshire Mar 19 555.7 21.2 3,224

17 ERM Environmental consultancy Central London Mar 19 *551.7 *45.3 4,929

18 telent Infrastructure services provider Warwick Mar 19 542.4 18.5 2,280

19 JRL Group Construction contractor North London Dec 18 *535.0 *34.0 1,363

20 30 Tennants Consolidated Chemicals conglomerate Central London Dec 18 509.7 26.4 1,217

21 PA Consulting Management & tech consultancy Central London Dec 18 503.6 30.8 2,835

22 38 Hill Housebuilder Waltham Abbey, Essex Dec 18 501.5 48.1 503

23 Winvic Construction Construction contractor Northampton Jan 18 485.3 31.2 204

24 42 David Lloyd Leisure Health club operator Hertfordshire Dec 18 483.4 65.5 5,620

25 83 Dr Martens Shoe manufacturer and retailer Northamptonshire Mar 19 *454.4 ‡*85.0 1,377

26 31 Avant Homes Housebuilder Chesterfield Apr 18 446.9 63.6 676

27 53 Chelsea Football Club Football club Southwest London Jun 18 443.4 82.7 756

28 64 Busy Bees Nurseries operator Staffordshire Dec 18 432.4 16.7 11,554

29 Parkdean Resorts Holiday parks operator Newcastle upon Tyne Dec 18 432.2 54.6 5,248

30 32 Meadow Foods Dairy product producer Chester Mar 18 427.0 22.0 273

31 Steven Eagell Car dealer Milton Keynes Dec 18 426.7 10.1 830

32 33 RSG Recruitment consultancy Bristol Jun 18 426.5 15.4 271

33 44 Thor Group Chemicals manufacturer Kent Dec 18 422.5 60.8 1,454

34 51 AvailableCar Car dealer Castle Donington Dec 18 421.1 12.0 772

35 52 EnerMech Engineering services provider Aberdeen Dec 18 *414.3 *36.7 3,320

36 47 Dorchester Collection Luxury hotel operator Central London Dec 18 *411.2 *39.1 3,019

37 67 Whitworth Group Flour miller Northamptonshire Mar 19 397.9 12.8 607

38 62 MKM Building Supplies Builders' merchant Hull Sep 18 393.8 13.8 1,348

39 77 Global Media & entertainment provider Central London Mar 18 388.0 83.1 1,323

40 54 LGC Life science tools provider Southwest London Mar 19 *387.7 *61.9 2,604

41 55 Boden Clothing retailer Northwest London Dec 18 382.6 30.1 1,155

42 72 Tottenham Hotspur Football club North London Jun 18 380.7 152.0 485

43 61 Hays Travel Travel agency Sunderland Oct 18 379.8 9.0 1,315

44 74 HH Global Marketing services provider Surrey Mar 19 *377.0 *16.0 1,051

45 123 Claranet IT services provider Central London Jun 19 *373.0 *10.8 2,200

46 80 Matchesfashion.com Luxury fashion retailer Central London Jan 19 *371.8 ‡*2.5 682

47 Kitwave Wholesale Group Food and drink wholesaler North Shields Apr 19 *367.0 *10.2 972

48 JW Galloway Beef and lamb processor Stirling Feb 18 349.5 8.2 1,040

49 87 Princess Yachts Luxury yacht builder Plymouth Dec 18 340.3 29.8 2,865

50 58 Kurt Geiger Shoe retailer Central London Jan 18 338.9 14.5 2,300

51 79 Baxters Food Group Food producer Edinburgh Mar 18 338.3 24.1 1,586

52 59 The Little Group Media wholesaler Eastbourne Feb 18 338.1 17.4 1,218

53 60 Study Group Education services provider Central London Dec 18 337.4 16.9 3,349

54 Mawdsleys Pharmaceuticals wholesaler Manchester Mar 18 326.0 6.6 600

55 Optionis Professional services group Warrington Oct 18 321.3 17.5 7,388

56 Shepherd Building Group Modular buildings York Dec 18 320.5 53.6 1,873

57 70 Cedo Household products maker Telford Dec 18 319.7 21.8 2,068

58 94 Sushi Daily Sushi bar operator West London Dec 18 317.9 29.1 347

59 81 Barrett Steel Steel stockholder Bradford Sep 18 317.7 9.1 1,078

60 103 ZPG Digital brands owner Central London Sep 18 317.3 71.3 850

61 102 LWC Drinks Drinks distributor Manchester Sep 18 310.3 10.6 880

62 Cleveland Cable Company Electrical cable distributor Middlesbrough Apr 18 310.1 25.5 554

63 92 ProCam Europe Crop protection specialist Cambridgeshire Dec 18 304.4 9.1 593

64 71 O'Halloran & O'Brien Construction contractor Surrey Mar 19 300.3 27.1 113

65 119 GRS Roadstone Group Aggregate distributor & waste removal Nuneaton Dec 18 300.2 ‡11.2 805

66 98 Encon Insulation distributor West Yorkshire Jul 19 *299.8 *19.5 646

67 Hatfields Car dealer Wakefield Jan 19 297.8 10.0 442

68 108 Arora Group Hotel developer Heathrow Mar 18 293.7 38.4 1,936

69 Lowell Group Debt collector Leeds Dec 18 293.7 112.1 1,914

70 141 Audley Travel Tour operator Oxfordshire Dec 18 *291.2 ‡*33.8 574

71 88 Swift Group Caravan and motorhome maker East Yorkshire Aug 18 289.4 17.9 1,259

72 The Emerson Group Builder, property developer Cheshire Apr 18 286.7 99.3 184

73 CH&Co Group Catering group Reading Dec 18 286.5 9.3 6,211

74 89 S Norton Metal Recycler Liverpool Dec 18 *286.0 *8.2 210

75 105 Stewart Milne Group Housebuilder Aberdeen Jun 18 279.2 13.5 813

76 96 Timpson Retail services provider Manchester Sep 18 277.6 14.3 4,734

77 113 Leisure Pass Group Tourism smartcard provider Central London Dec 18 276.8 12.2 121

78 86 Morris Group Housebuilder Cheshire Apr 18 *275.6 *56.3 256

79 115 Peninsula Employment law consultancy Manchester Mar 19 *270.6 *42.9 2,747

80 160 Optal Payment services provider Central London Dec 18 269.6 30.5 75

81 109 Bridgetown Holdings Civil engineer and plant hire Birmingham May 18 269.1 14.8 139

82 104 Alexander Mann Solutions Outsourcing and consulting Central London Dec 18 *269.0 *38.5 3,908

83 111 Hadleigh Timber Group Wood panel distributor Stoke-on-Trent Dec 18 266.6 13.3 587

84 126 Halewood Wines and Spirits Alcoholic drinks maker Liverpool Jun 18 265.2 14.3 1,041

85 121 Travel Counsellors Travel services provider Manchester Oct 18 262.2 17.4 370

86 142 Regatta Outdoor clothing distributor Manchester Jan 19 *260.1 *24.4 1,760

87 132 FES Construction support services Stirling Aug 18 260.0 5.9 2,154

88 Foster + Partners Architect Southwest London Apr 19 258.0 26.6 1,317

89 Ardmore Group Builder North London Sep 18 257.9 25.8 315

90 156 The Trade Centre Group Car dealer West Glamorgan Nov 18 257.4 22.4 524

91 135 Weston Group Housebuilder Essex Jul 18 257.1 36.4 425

92 149 Mountain Warehouse Outdoor clothing retailer Central London Feb 19 *255.0 *24.0 2,082

93 FP McCann Civil engineering contractor Londonderry Dec 18 255.0 18.6 1,592

94 101 QA Training & education provider Central London Jun 18 *253.3 *50.5 2,139

95 131 Modiano Wool merchant Central London Mar 18 251.5 22.0 392

96 112 Voyage Care Care home operator Staffordshire Mar 19 249.8 24.2 10,249

97 143 Qualasept Pharmaxo Pharmaceuticals manufacturer Wiltshire Apr 19 239.6 17.4 270

98 107 Fat Face Clothing retailer Hampshire Jun 18 238.1 30.2 2,705

99 Converse Pharma Pharmaceuticals supplier Doncaster Mar 18 237.9 7.8 773

100 134 Click Travel Corporate travel management Birmingham Mar 19 237.1 5.9 230

101 Talon Outdoor Media agency Central London Dec 18 *235.6 *11.2 105

102 Inspired Education Holdings Education services Central London Aug 18 *234.7 ‡*51.2 3,729

103 McLaughlin & Harvey Builder and engineering contractor County Antrim Dec 18 233.9 6.4 465

104 Day's Motor Group Car dealer Swansea Dec 18 231.3 10.1 619

105 116 Story Homes Housebuilder Carlisle Mar 19 *230.8 *15.6 505

106 235 PX Group Energy infrastructure services Stockton-on-Tees Mar 19 *230.7 *6.6 427

107 Taylor Maxwell Building products supplier Bristol Mar 19 229.1 6.6 195

108 155 CCS Media IT & services reseller Chesterfield Dec 18 *229.0 *5.5 480

109 137 PureGym Gym operator Leeds Dec 18 228.4 44.4 973

110 154 Frank Recruitment Group IT recruitment consultancy Newcastle upon Tyne Nov 18 227.9 14.3 1,281

111 82 Together Specialist lender Cheshire Jun 19 226.3 145.7 740

112 Briggs & Forrester Group Building services and engineering Northampton Oct 18 222.4 4.9 780

113 Huntswood Customer services provider Reading Sep 18 221.4 28.1 226

114 140 Solventis Solvent distributor Guildford Dec 18 219.5 6 45

115 Imagination Creative agency Central London Aug 18 219.3 6.4 592

116 130 Rocco Forte Hotels Luxury hotel owner and manager Central London Apr 19 218.9 20.5 2,270

117 Megger Electrical products manufacturer Dover Nov 18 217.7 22.7 1,328

118 John Cotton Group Bedding manufacturer West Yorkshire Feb 19 *217.0 *11.6 1,419

119 Caddick Group Construction & property developer West Yorkshire Aug 18 212.3 8.6 448

120 120 Charles Tyrwhitt Clothing retailer Central London Jul 19 *212.2 *15.2 1,130

121 159 Smartway Pharmaceuticals Pharmaceuticals supplier Southwest London Feb 18 211.8 17.8 76

122 Loudwater Consumer product distributor Northwest London Sep 18 209.2 5.2 24

123 172 NoteMachine Cash machine operator Powys Jun 18 208.5 33.0 1,470

124 145 Bettys & Taylors of Harrogate Food producer & cafe operator Harrogate Oct 18 208.1 11.2 1,403

125 197 Big Bus Tours Bus tour operator Central London Apr 19 *206.4 *21.2 1,863

Rank2019

Rank2018 Company Activity Location

Yearend

Sales,£m

Operating profit, £m Staff

126 Big Motoring World Car dealer Kent Dec 18 206.0 8.4 230

127 183 The Entertainer Toy retailer Buckinghamshire Jan 19 *204.4 *14.6 1,937

128 148 Edinburgh Airport Airport operator Edinburgh Dec 18 203.9 97.3 664

129 151 Barbour Clothing manufacturer South Shields Apr 18 202.3 33.5 968

130 138 JJ Food Service Food distributor Enfield Mar 18 201.5 6.9 836

131 211 Motordepot Car supermarket East Yorkshire Aug 18 199.8 8.4 284

132 James Walker Group Sealing and railway systems Woking Mar 19 *199.4 *8.4 2,020

133 215 Crown Oil Fuel and lubricant distributor Bury Jul 18 197.5 10.0 303

134 Radisson Blu Edwardian Hotels Hotel operator West London Dec 18 197.5 33.9 2,343

135 193 MiQ Digital marketing agency Central London Dec 18 196.9 10.4 612

136 163 Castle View Leisure services manager Stirling Mar 18 195.6 8.9 7,125

137 190 Churchill Contract Services Facilities services provider Hertfordshire Jun 19 *192.0 *9.5 11,407

138 Advance Construction Group Construction services provider Lanarkshire Mar 18 190.1 11.7 1,403

139 144 The Belfield Group Furniture and furnishings maker Derbyshire Dec 17 189.9 8.4 2,181

140 Croudace Homes Housebuilder Surrey Dec 18 189.4 23.0 284

141 167 Hopkins Homes Housebuilder Suffolk Apr 18 189.2 47.2 182

142 Ethigen Pharmaceuticals supplier East Kilbride May 18 188.8 6.5 268

143 Reiss Fashion retailer Central London Feb 19 186.5 12.9 1,439

144 Dalziel Butchers' supplier Lanarkshire Sep 18 184.9 14.3 662

145 161 Dune London Footwear retailer Central London Jan 18 184.2 5.8 1,975

146 Pitch International Sports marketing agency West London Mar 18 183.6 21.4 95

147 198 James Donaldson Group Timber merchant Fife Mar 19 *183.4 *8.6 832

148 Toomey Group Car dealer Essex Dec 18 183.3 7.6 448

149 Arlington Industries Group Components supplier Manchester Mar 19 *182.6 *3.2 1,862

150 Tara Developments Civil engineer and housebuilder Staffordshire Dec 18 181.8 20.4 221

151 170 AESSEAL Mechanical seal manufacturer Rotherham Dec 18 181.3 27.9 1,819

152 BW Workplace Experts Commercial building refurbishment Central London Dec 18 180.5 5.2 195

153 218 Europa Worldwide Logistics provider Dartford Dec 18 *180.0 *5.2 663

154 Gymshark Fitness clothing retailer Solihull Jul 19 *179.5 *19.4 300

155 186 NEC Group Venue management Birmingham Mar 19 *179.5 *53.7 810

156 Richard Hochfeld Fruit importer and farmer Borough Green, Kent Jun 18 179.4 4.2 64

157 TransferWise Currency transfer provider East London Mar 19 179.1 12.1 1,700

158 177 Willerby Mobile home maker Hull Sep 18 174.8 17.0 1,002

159 Cotswold Motor Group Car dealer Cheltenham Dec 18 173.3 3.8 363

160 230 Readie Construction Construction contractor Romford, Essex Mar 19 172.8 7.3 142

161 Davies Turner Logistics and freight operator Warwickshire Mar 18 172.2 5.4 823

162 233 CCG Building contractor Glasgow Mar 19 *168.4 *12.9 669

163 Cameron Mackintosh Theatrical producer Central London Mar 18 168.4 17.3 783

164 176 APP Wholesale Plumbing wholesaler Dagenham, Essex Jul 18 167.2 6.1 159

165 James Walker Timber merchant West Lothian Mar 18 166.8 15.0 618

166 Newship Conglomerate Southwest London Dec 18 166.5 11.3 598

167 205 InHealth Diagnostic services provider High Wycombe Sep 18 165.2 4.4 1,797

168 244 The Sebden Group Steel processor, stockholder Cheshire Apr 18 165.2 4.4 246

169 225 Durkan Building developer and contractor Hertfordshire Nov 18 164.9 10.8 182

170 208 Lindum Group Construction services provider Lincoln Nov 18 163.8 7.6 660

171 Bond International Tyre wholesaler York Dec 18 162.2 7.5 350

172 227 IRIS Software Group Business software developer Berkshire Apr 19 *162.2 ‡*78.8 1,388

173 Firmdale Hotels Hotelier Central London Jan 19 162.0 12.5 1,692

174 219 Consolidated Timber Holdings Lumber wholesaler Shepperton, Surrey Mar 18 161.3 7.4 210

175 APS Group Marketing services provider Cheshire Jan 19 160.9 5.4 906

176 248 Molson Group Construction equipment dealer Bristol Sep 18 160.8 7.3 181

177 189 Medequip Assistive Technology Homecare medical equipment Middlesex Dec 18 *159.9 *6.3 735

178 242 Mick George Construction services provider Huntingdon May 18 158.3 9.8 1,191

179 Numatic International Cleaning products manufacturer Somerset Dec 18 157.9 14.6 998

180 Keltruck Truck dealer West Bromwich Dec 18 156.9 5.0 460

181 International Plywood Timber merchant Gloucester Apr 18 156.0 7.2 81

182 EH Smith Builders' merchant Shirley, Solihull Jun 18 155.5 5.0 574

183 Vital Energi Energy services provider Blackburn Jun 19 *154.5 *8.3 461

184 202 Strata Homes Housebuilder and developer Doncaster Jun 18 154.1 18.4 221

185 226 Mulalley Construction contractor Essex Mar 19 153.9 6.9 529

186 Mount Anvil Property developer and contractor Central London Dec 17 153.7 12.7 205

187 231 Dingbro Automotive component distributor Aberdeen Sep 18 153.1 10.1 1,364

188 241 Flying Trade Group Conglomerate Essex Dec 18 152.6 11.3 815

189 HG Construction Construction services Hertfordshire Dec 18 152.6 12.7 75

190 Byrom Sporting events management Cheshire Sep 18 150.1 13.6 258

191 Five Guys Burger restaurant chain West London Dec 18 149.5 7.3 2,497

192 EBB Paper Paper and board merchant Farnborough Dec 18 149.3 4.3 284

193 Masterson Holdings Building contractor Hertfordshire Aug 18 149.2 10.9 285

194 238 Lawton Tubes Copper tube supplier Coventry Sep 18 149.0 5.8 103

195 Mediaforce Marketing services provider Central London Mar 18 147.2 6.0 353

196 213 CeX Used electronics retailer Hertfordshire Dec 17 146.3 3.0 2,740

197 Reconomy Waste management services Telford Dec 18 146.0 11.4 386

198 223 Batt Cables Cable supplier Kent Mar 18 145.7 6.9 299

199 240 Hall & Pickles Steel stockholder Cheshire May 19 145.5 3.5 271

200 Matchroom Sport Sporting events promoter Essex Jun 19 *145.0 *30.0 90

201 Oktra Office interior design and fit-out Central London May 19 143.9 10.6 163

202 The Access Group Business software developer Central London Jun 18 143.1 6.9 1,332

203 Walters Group Civil engineering conglomerate Mid Glamorgan Feb 18 141.2 33.7 523

204 Ralawise.com Clothing distributor Flintshire Dec 17 141.1 10.3 557

205 Millbrook Group Furniture manufacturer Southampton Jun 18 140.8 6.9 1,085

206 Brighton & Hove Albion Football club Brighton Jun 18 139.4 30.7 305

207 CLC Group Painting and maintenance contractor Southampton Dec 18 138.6 11.1 1,021

208 Saxton 4X4 Car dealer Essex Jun 19 *138.0 *6.6 109

209 Euromonitor Market research agency Central London Mar 18 137.4 29.7 1,243

210 AJN Steelstock Steel stockholder Kentford, Suffolk Apr 19 136.8 5.0 362

211 Welding Alloys Alloy Welder Hertfordshire Dec 18 136.6 5.6 956

212 O'Connor Utilities Utility contractor Manchester Apr 18 136.0 10.7 191

213 END. Online menswear retailer Newcastle upon Tyne Mar 19 134.7 27.0 464

214 250 O'Shea Residential developer & contractor Northwest London Mar 18 133.4 22.0 154

215 Watling JCB Machinery retailer Leicestershire Dec 18 133.1 4.5 198

216 Riverside Motor Group Franchised car dealer Doncaster Dec 18 132.9 3.0 183

217 Renaker Build Construction contractor Manchester Oct 18 132.8 4.7 136

218 Bewley Homes Housebuilder Hampshire Sep 18 132.5 17.5 136

219 Scan Computers International IT hardware supplier Bolton Jun 18 131.0 2.7 228

220 Exponential-e Managed services provider Central London Jan 19 130.7 20.0 506

221 Nycomm Telecoms distributor & supplier Manchester Dec 18 *130.4 *4.6 389

222 Metaswitch Networks Communications technology Enfield Aug 18 130.3 21.7 812

223 Martin Group Transport and waste service provider Derbyshire Jul 18 129.7 10.0 823

224 2M Holdings Speciality chemicals distributor Cheshire Apr 18 128.9 6.3 292

225 Grosvenor Contracts Leasing Vehicle contract hirer Northamptonshire Dec 18 128.6 4.6 274

226 Medivet Veterinary practices Hertfordshire Apr 18 127.9 4.7 1,967

227 Elta Group Air movement equipment maker West Midlands Mar 19 *127.8 *5.9 869

228 Castell Howell Foods Food and tobacco wholesaler Carmarthenshire Oct 18 126.9 3.7 582

229 FNZ Wealth management technology Edinburgh Dec 18 126.8 13.8 1,521

230 Cormar Carpets Carpet manufacturer Lancashire Sep 18 †126.6 †6.5 274

231 BVG Group Mail order retailer South Wales Aug 18 126.6 5.1 869

232 Smith Brothers (Leicester) Conglomerate Leicester Sep 19 *124.5 *10.5 450

233 Odgers Berndtson Recruitment consultancy Central London Apr 19 124.5 31.0 513

234 Beaverbrooks the Jewellers Jewellery retailer Lancashire Mar 18 †124.2 †13.4 949

235 Shorterm Group Recruitment consultancy West Drayton Dec 17 124.1 4.6 112

236 G1 Group Leisure and hospitality operator Glasgow Mar 18 123.6 12.6 1,832

237 Burgess Farms Vegetable supplier Peterborough Dec 18 120.9 6.5 556

238 Ground Control Grounds maintenance services Billericay Mar 19 120.3 10.1 782

239 Iqbal Poultry Halal poultry seller Doncaster Jun 18 119.7 4.1 85

240 GMI Construction Group Construction contractor Leeds Sep 18 119.3 3.7 98

241 Clearway Metal recycler Portadown Dec 17 118.9 16.1 168

242 Wing Yip Oriental food supplier Birmingham Sep 18 118.8 4.1 390

243 GCH Corporation Manufacturing conglomerate West London Dec 18 *118.8 ‡*9.4 748

244 Cory Riverside Energy Waste management services Central London Dec 18 *118.2 *37.3 290

245 Grundon Waste management services Oxfordshire Sep 18 118.2 5.9 858

246 Victorian Plumbing Online bathroom retailer Merseyside Sep 18 118.1 3.5 266

247 Thrifty Car rental company Exeter Mar 18 116.1 29.5 1,437

248 BJSS IT & business consultancy Leeds Apr 18 116.0 26.5 775

249 Ptarmigan Media Financial media agency Central London Dec 18 115.9 3.6 109

250 Vetpartners Veterinary practices York Jun 18 115.7 3.7 2,320

BRITAIN’S 250 PRIVATE MID-MARKET GROWTH COMPANIES

The Sunday Times October 6, 2019 3

TOP TRACK 250

6 HC-OneSales £639.1m U 70% Profit: £54.1m U 89%

Founded in 2011, this Darlington business cares for more than 19,000 residents at 350 care homes throughout Britain. It became the UK’s biggest care home provider in 2017 when it bought 110 sites from Bupa in a £300m deal — as a result, sales rose 70% to £639.1m in 2018, with profits almost doubling to £54.1m. With a workforce of more than 25,000, it is the biggest employer on the league table. Led by chief executive Justin Hutchens, 45, it focuses on dementia, nursing and specialist care.

7 Barchester HealthcareSales £621.3m U 5% Profit: £35.1m U 46%

This company was set up in 1992 and is now led by chief executive Pete Calveley, 58, a former police surgeon. It oversees more than 200 nursing homes, caring for 11,000 people and offers dementia care and assisted living along with support for younger people with disabilities. Irish tycoons JP McManus, 68, Dermot Desmond, 69, and John Magnier, 71, invested in the group 25 years ago.

8 Keepmoat HomesSales £597.0m U 7% Profit: £45.7m U 10%

This Yorkshire firm is a leading builder of affordable homes, working in partnership with Homes England, local authorities and other registered providers. With an average sale price of £150,000, 72% of its homes are sold to first-time buyers, with 28% going to housing associations for affordable rent. Its chief executive, Tim Beale, 42, joined from Crest Nicholson in 2017 and aims to build more than 4,000 homes this year.

9 ParagonSales £594.6m U 56% Profit: £13.4m U 4%

This London business provides diverse services ranging from secure customer communications to smartcards and passports. Led by chief executive Patrick Crean, 56, it acquired six companies last year including ones in Germany and Ireland and, in May, a further three with operations in the UK and overseas. Since 2016 the group has nearly tripled in size and says its pro forma sales this year were €945m (£833m).

10 RACSales £592.4m U 6% Profit: £83.0m U 4%

The RAC has been providing roadside assistance since 1897. Today, it also provides breakdown cover and insuranceto 10.6m motorists and can count more than 25% of all British drivers as members. Under the leadership of chief executive Dave Hobday, 50, RAC patrols attended 2.4m breakdowns in 2018 and new contracts were won with Hastings, HSBC and First Direct. In 2019 innovations including an all-wheels-up recovery service, electric vehicle charging van and heavy-duty petrol van, were launched. The Walsall-based firm is owned by private equity firm CVC and Singapore’s GIC.

11 Andrew Marr InternationalSales £590.5m U 12% Profit: £18.6m V 4%

Founded in 1902, this family-owned fish and seafood business catches, transports and stores fish. Based in Yorkshire, the company provides cold storage and distributes directly to British hotels, pubs and restaurants. The firm has added to its fleet of North Sea vessels in the year, with the delivery of a new trawler to operate from Peterhead and another under construction. Former chairman Andrew Marr, 77, has three sons involved in the business — Alexander, 49, Christian, 47, and Sebastian, 45.

12 Virgin ActiveSales £586.7m U 1% Profit: £86.3m U 7%

South African private equity firm Brait acquired an 80% stake in this health club operator in 2015 from CVC Capital Partners, with Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Group cutting its stake to 20% in a deal that valued Virgin Active at £1.3bn. It now has more than 240 clubs in eight countries, including 43 in the UK. Matthew Bucknall, 59, is founder and group chief executive.

13 Hyperion Insurance GroupSales £578.9m U 7% Profit: £107.7m U 8%

Chief executive David Howden, 55, formed this London insurance broking and underwriting group when he led a buyout from Lloyd’s broker SBJ. It now has offices across 36 territories, employing 5,000 people and recently celebrated 25 years of trading. In 2017, Canadian pension fund CDPQ acquired a minority stake in the business, investing £311m. This helped fund £145m of acquisitions and investments in 2018, boosting profit to £108m, topping £100m for the first time.

14 Associated British PortsSales £577.6m U 6% Profit: £261.7m U 4%

Handling 87.6m tons of cargo last year, ABP is a port operator with 21 ports in Britain. They include Immingham, the nation’s busiest cargo port, and Southampton, the second-largest container port and the most popular for cruises. It recorded operating profits of £261.7m in 2018 — the highest on the league table — but also has long-term debts of £5.3bn. Chief executive Henrik Pedersen, 44, joined from Dutch group APM Terminals in August last year.

15 CEFSales £569.0m U 9% Profit: £12.9m V 51%

This Warwickshire group of electrical companies extends throughout Britain and into America, Ireland, Spain and Australia. It has almost 400 UK branches, supported by a dedicated national accounts team. Its website provides customers with stock visibility and next-day delivery of more than 200 brands. It has recently launched a priced catalogue containing 26,000 products, all available with next-day delivery. The group is led by chairman Thomas Mackie, 31, grandson of the founder.

16 NG BaileySales £555.7m U 16% Profit: £21.2m U 55%

Founded in 1921, West Yorkshire-based NG Bailey provides mechanical and electrical engineering services, as well as facilities management. Recent projects

include designing and building Manchester University’s engineering campus, and the rail control centre at London Bridge. Chief executive David Hurcomb, 55, oversaw a 16% rise in sales to £555.7m in 2019. Since its acquisition last year of power generation maintenance engineers Freedom Group, the group says its future order book has grown to £1.4bn.

17 ERMSales £551.7m U 14% Profit: £45.3m U 76%

Led by chief executive Keryn James, 50, London-based ERM provides environmental, health, safety, risk and social consulting services for clients suchas Unilever, Shell and the World Bank. Last November, ERM acquired Kathy Jones & Associates, an Australian communications consultancy, followed two months later by SustainAbility, a think tank with offices in London, New York and San Francisco, adding to ERM’s 160-plus offices in 40 countries. Omers Administration Corporation and Aimco bought a majority stake in ERM from Charterhouse in 2015, valuing the company at £1.5bn.

18 TelentSales £542.4m U 38% Profit: £18.5m V 9%

Warwick-based Telent provides network and communications services across a range of industries including transport, public safety and defence. Its 38% jump in sales was partly due to the first year of the National Roads Telecommunications Service contract, worth £500m and lasting seven years. In March, Highways England renewed all three of its regional technology maintenance contracts. Chief executive Mark Plato died last month in a motorbike accident. He had led the company since its formation in 2006. Director Heather Green, 48, has been appointed interim chief executive.

19 JRL GroupSales £535.0m U 38% Profit: £34.0m U 18%

Since chairman John Reddington, 47, founded this Hertfordshire-based firm in 1996, it has grown from specialising in

groundworks and concrete frames into a diversified construction group with a workforce of more than 4,000. Its main operating companies are J Reddington and Midgard. Contracts include redeveloping the John Nash-designed Park Crescent at the edge of Regent’s Park in London, and Landmark Pinnacle in Docklands — Europe’s tallest residential tower.

20 Tennants ConsolidatedSales £509.7m U 9% Profit: £26.4m V 12%

In the late 18th century, Charles Tennant revolutionised the linen trade by creating bleaching powder. Today, Tennants, the company he founded, is owned by the Alexander family and makes and distributes more than 3,000 chemicals across the world, from adhesives to animal feed. Under the leadership of group chairman Paul Alexander, 65, sales reached £509.7m in 2018, exceeding half a billion for the first time.

21 PA ConsultingSales £503.6m U 15% Profit: £30.8m U 66%

From creating patches that monitor patients’ health remotely, to designing sustainable water packaging made from seaweed-based material, this consulting firm works with companies and governments to develop new technology and attract investment. The group is jointly owned by current employees and private equity firm the Carlyle Group. Led by chief executive Alan Middleton, 53, the group employs more than 2,800 specialists and operates globally from offices across America, Europe, the Nordics and the Middle East.

22 HillSales £501.5m U 21% Profit: £48.1m U 2%

This Essex-based developer operates in southeast England, building private homes for sale, as well as for housing associations and local authorities. Led by founder and chief executive Andy Hill, 60, the company grew sales by 21% last year to reach £501.5m. In 2018, it built more than 1,550 houses and is on track to achieve its target of 2,500 a year by 2020.

23 Winvic ConstructionSales £485.3m U 5% Profit: £31.2m U 10%

This Northampton construction firm delivers millions of square feet of commercial and retail space every year for the industrial and distribution sectors. In recent years it has diversified from “mega sheds” into student and residential accommodation and civil engineering. Under managing director David Ward, 58, the business has capitalised on high demand for distribution centres, particularly from online retailers.

24 David Lloyd LeisureSales £483.4m U 13% Profit: £65.5m U 58%

Founded by former professional tennis player David Lloyd in 1982, this Hertfordshire group provides health, sports and leisure services to 620,000 members at 99 clubs in the UK, 15 in continental Europe and one in Asia. In 2013, private equity firm TDR acquired the business for a reported £750m. Under chief executive Glenn Earlam, 54, it has been expanding in Europe, last year acquiring clubs in France and Germany.

25 Dr MartensSales £454.4m U 30% Profit: ‡£85.0m U 70%

Originally produced as durable boots for workers and later adopted by a variety of youth subcultures, Dr Martens’ iconic footwear and accessories now include luggage, clothing and children’s shoes. Backed by the private equity firm Permira, the Northamptonshire business drove ebitda profits up 70% to £85m on revenues of £454.4m in 2019, helped by market growth in Asia, America and Europe. Kenny Wilson, 53, joined from Cath Kidston last year as chief executive.

26 Avant HomesSales £446.9m U 21% Profit: £63.6m U 41%

This Chesterfield housebuilder sells more than 2,000 homes a year, and aims to double this within the next four years. Positive conditions in the housing market and government initiatives have

helped profits increase by 41% to £63.6m on revenues of £446.9m, under the leadership of chief executive Colin Lewis, 63. At the end of last year, the firm was reportedly being prepared for a £600m float or trade sale.

27 Chelsea Football ClubSales £443.4m U 23% Profit: £82.7m U 136%

This year’s Europa League champions and Carabao Cup runners-up have built on an impressive financial performance last year, when profits grew 136% to £82.7m on sales of £443.4m. The increase was due to a return to Champions League football, which in turn led to more broadcasting revenues and additional sponsorship agreements with Nike, Sony and Ericsson. The club isowned by Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich, 52, who has reportedly rejected a £2bn takeover bid.

28 Busy BeesSales £432.4m U 32% Profit: £16.7m U 11%

This Staffordshire business is Britain’s largest private provider of childcare services, caring for more than 50,000 children in the UK, Singapore, China, Malaysia, Canada, Ireland and Australia. It operates 600 nurseries in total, including 375 in the UK. Group chief executive Simon Irons, 56, led the acquisition of Foundation Early Learning in Australia, along with a number of smaller acquisitions in the UK, Canada and Malaysia, all of which boosted sales 32% to £432.4m in 2018.

29 Parkdean ResortsSales £432.2m U 9% Profit: £54.6m V 29%

Parkdean Holidays and Park Resorts merged in 2015 to create Parkdean Resorts, which operates 67 holiday parks throughout Britain. The following year, the leisure group was acquired by Canadian private equity firm Onex Corporation for a reported £1.35bn. In February, the business announced plans to spend more than £40m upgrading its current holiday parks. The Newcastle- headquartered firm is led by chief executive Steve Richards, 51.

people know it is all right to challenge those in authority, including the chief executive, and that encourages feedback, learning and improvement.”

Simon Tray, global chief financial officer of MiQ (No 135), a digital advertising technology firm, agreed, but he warned against creating too many checks and balances that can slow companies down. He joined MiQ last year from a listed multinational and has seen the onerous effect that well-intentioned legislation can have on entrepreneurialism. “You need good processes but also have to get the balance right,” he says.

Maintaining good governance is also tricky. Bob Weston, founder and chairman of Weston Homes, is proud of the way his firm differentiates itself. “While everyone else tries to outsource, we look to in-source,” he says. “We manufacture, and we have an import and distribution business. It makes us very efficient and gives us our edgein the market.” He is now looking at keeping the right management skills in the

business to ensure a smooth succession.

The risk of recession in the UK has prompted some companies to explore new opportunities overseas. One is diversifying its customer base from over-reliance on the UK, and exploring opportunities in Europe and Latin America. Another HH Global (No 44), the marketing execution group, is winning significant new business in China, India and Japan.

Robert MacMillan, chief executive, says he has a problem: “Trying to find people who are proactive, interact well with clients and think differently is always challenging in markets that are new to outsourcing.

“As well as hiring locally, we are relocating existing team members from other countries.”

We’re confident he will overcome this challenge. All these companies are thinking long term and know what they have to do to achieve their plans. We look forward to seeing them succeed.

Mo Merali and Simon Littlewood are partners at Grant Thornton UK

If you’re struggling to recruit, perhaps the job’s wrong Successful leaders are investing in tech that makes staff roles more creative, writeMo Merali and Simon Littlewood

Embracing change is never easy, but that is exactly what Britain’s boardrooms are doing as we approach a new decade. Despite the short-term political and economic uncertainties, big decisions are being made that will determine whether, andhow, Britain prospers in the years and decades to come.

Directors are scrutinisingtheir business models and harnessing new technology to improve productivity. Automation is making tasks more appealing to younger workers, who are demanding more freedom and purpose from employers.

Discussion with leaders of11 Top Track 250 companies at a recent round tablemade clear that all considered the digital transformation of their

Simon Littlewood and QA’s William Macpherson discuss how technology changes the game

agreement sees revenues from medicines frozen.

His company is working with its independent pharmacy customers to meet that challenge, and others.

“Technology will be an essential enabler as we meet the challenge of a growing and ageing population, increased regulations and the digitalisation of patient access,” says Horry.

A similar challenge is facing Justin Hutchens, chief executive of the UK’s largest care homes provider, HC-One (No 6). With more than 17,000 residents at 328 care homes, and 25,000 staff, Hutchens is tackling the well-documented shortage of skilled nurses. “I think there is a real opportunity to further professionalise the care sector,” he says, noting that his staff use a Facebook-style app to communicate directly with colleagues, which has improved engagement among all staff and management.

Jon Fisher, chief executiveof construction aggregates firm GRS Roadstone Group (No 65), raised an issue that requires a unified public and private-sector approach,

businesses to be essential. William Macpherson,

former chief executive of QA (No 94), the education and training provider, spoke for many when he said: “Technology is changing the way that every business is interacting with its customers, its staff and its suppliers. It requires us tore-engineer how our businesses work and poses an enormous challenge.”

Miki Travel, a Top Track 250 alumnus which provides travel and hotels for Asian tourists visiting Europe, is overhauling its IT. First, it is conducting a review to identify inefficient processes, and to automate repetitive tasks. “People don’t want to be stuck working at a computer all day. It’s tricky, but you must fit these roles to their aspirations,” says its finance director, Ingrid Cawood.

Some in healthcare are using technology to help them respond to changing market conditions. David Horry, chairman and chief executive of Converse Pharma Group (No 99), says the new five-year NHS pharmacy framework

MAURO MURGIA

highlighting the UK’s commitment to net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. “Our sector contributes heavily towards carbon and we are working hard to reduce our footprint, such as making more use of rail rather than road freight,” he says. “But we need better dialogue with government

with entrepreneurs and private equity is the importance of having a balanced board with balanced skills and operating style to improve decision-making,” says Steve Byrne from Travel Counsellors (No 85). “You then build your corporate governance alongside your culture, so

so we get more joined up — to achieve the targets, the government’s plans for large infrastructure projects need to be matched by policies that enable us to deliver materials in the most sustainable way.”

Breadth of experience onboards was another common theme. “One of the biggest things I have learnt working

After joining Northamptonshire business Dr Martens (No 25) last year, chief executive Kenny Wilson has seen profits soar 70% to £85m — helped by market growth in Asia, America and continental Europe

TOM STOCKILL

4 The Sunday Times October 6, 2019

30 Meadow FoodsSales £427.0m U 58% Profit £22.0m U 70%

This Chester-based dairy producer uses its network of 650 farmers to supply ingredients for the 100,000 tons of dairy products it makes each year, including butter and cream cheese. Sales increased 58% to £427m in 2018, the yearits chairman, Simon Chantler, 60, led the acquisition of the butter oils business Roil Foods for an undisclosed sum.

31 Steven EagellSales £426.7m U 21% Profit £10.1m U 78%

This car dealer was established in Milton Keynes in 2002 by managing director Steven Eagell, 53. In 2017, it acquired Lexus Milton Keynes from Sytner Group, bringing its total to 22 branches — 18 Toyota and four Lexus — in southeast England and helping 2018 turnover hit £426.7m. It made a third of its £10.1m profits from selling new cars, with the rest from used cars and aftersales.

32 RSGSales £426.5m U 44% Profit £15.4m U 30%

Since its founding as a recruitment agency in 1975, RSG has grown into an international network of businesses operating under the brands Sanderson and Resource Management. Last year the Bristol-based recruiter continued its expansion into Ireland with a new office in Limerick, helping it to raise revenue 44% to £426.5m. It is led by chief executive Mike Beesley, 62, and founder Keith Dawe, 68, the former chairman of Bristol City FC.

33 Thor GroupSales £422.5m U 8% Profit £60.8m U 13%

This company’s chemical compounds help keep furniture fire-retardant and prevent paints and inks from spoiling. Thor also manufactures ingredients used in personal care products, and has a division that tests cosmetics for eye and skin irritation without using animals. Headquartered in Canterbury, Thor’s international sites include Germany, Mexico and China. Its chief executive is Joan Antoni Pujante, 53.

34 AvailableCarSales £421.1m U 16% Profit £12.0m U 24%

This Castle Donington car supermarket says it sells 600 cars a week and will refund the difference if you find the same car cheaper elsewhere within

seven days. It is owned by husband-and-wife founders Graham and Alison Bell, 60 and 59, and has 5,000 cars at sites in Cannock, Leeds and Sutton-in-Ashfield as well as Castle Donington.

35 EnerMechSales £414.3m U 15% Profit £36.7m U 120%

Chief executive Doug Duguid, 57, launched this Aberdeen engineering group with five colleagues in 2008. It works on energy and infrastructure projects at 40 offices, including America and the Middle East. In 2017, it acquired the Australian electrical firm EPS Group, helping sales hit £414.3m in 2018. In the same year, the private equity firm Carlyle Group bought EnerMech from Lime Rock Partners in a £450m deal.

36 Dorchester CollectionSales £411.2m U 7% Profit £39.1m U 45%

Dorchester Collection runs nine five-star hotels across Europe and America, including Le Meurice in Paris and the Dorchester in London. It was established in 2006 by the Brunei Investment Agency and chief executive Christopher Cowdray, 63, who led the group to sales of £411.2m in 2018. With weaker trading in the UK and Europe this year, it expects sales to decline and is planning accordingly.

37 Whitworth GroupSales £397.9m U 24% Profit £12.8m U 21%

This family firm has been milling flour since 1886 but is at the forefront of milling and heat-treatment technology, running an innovation centre at its Northamptonshire headquarters. Led by chairman Martin George, 76, the company acquired Carr’s Flour Mills in 2016 for £36m, adding milling centres in Cumbria, Essex and Fife. Last year, it added two flour mills from Rank Hovis, which helped lift sales 24% to £397.9m.

38 MKM Building SuppliesSales £393.8m U 18% Profit £13.8m V 31%

With 54 branches in England and Scotland, MKM is one of Britain’s largest independent builders’ merchants. In 2017, its private equity backers LDC and 3i sold their stakes to Bain Capital for an undisclosed amount. Led by founder and chairman David Kilburn, 74, and chief executive Philip Johns, 56, the Hull-based business has opened seven more branches since then.

39 GlobalSales £388.0m U 28% Profit £83.1m U 61%

Global owns many of the UK’s biggest commercial radio brands, including Capital, Heart, Classic FM, Radio X and LBC. Its radio and digital platforms reach an average weekly audience of about 32m. Profits grew 61% to reach £83.1m in 2018, and the business launched an outdoor advertising division after acquiring Primesight and Outdoor Plus last September — reportedly for more than £200m — followed by the Top Track 250 alumnus Exterion Media two months later. It is led by founder and executive president Ashley Tabor, 42, and group chief executive Stephen Miron, 54.

40 LGCSales £387.7m U 8% Profit £61.9m U 30%

With headquarters in London, LGC is an international life sciences company developing products and techniques used in areas such as human healthcare, farming, sample analysis and environmental protection. It has more than 40,000 customers in 160 countries and has tested racehorses for doping since 1963. Under chief executive Tim Robinson, 56, the business made numerous acquisitions in 2018, including SeraCare Life Sciences.

41 BodenSales £382.6m U 10% Profit £30.1m U 11%

Johnnie Boden, 58, set up this home-retail business in 1991 and is still creative director. It continues to sell via its catalogue, although chief executive Jill Easterbrook, 48, who has said she will leave the company in December, has been building a digital strategy. About 40% of online sales now come from America. In September, it said trading has been hit by “ongoing uncertainty”.

42 Tottenham HotspurSales £380.7m U 23% Profit £152.0m U 87%

This north London football club enjoyed a dramatic 2018-19 season, playing in its first Champions League final, and securing a top four Premier League finish. To add to its achievements on the pitch, the club opened its 62,000-seat stadium in April, which cost £850m and features the world’s first dividing, retractable pitch. Under chairman Daniel Levy, 57, profits rose 87% to reach £152m, making it one of the most

profitable companies on the league table. This was driven by increased ticket sales, sponsorship and a £33m increase in hospitality revenue.

43 Hays TravelSales £379.8m U 12% Profit £9.0m V 3%

John Hays, 70, opened his first travel agency in Co Durham in 1980 and now has more than 180 shops and three call centres, which in 2018 booked £1bn of air travel, cruises and accommodation for the first time. The Sunderland-based business has been on an expansion drive in the past year, opening more than 40 branches, some co-owned with local entrepreneurs.

44 HH GlobalSales £377.0m U 24% Profit £16.0m U 56%

HH Global provides marketing, procurement and media services to clients in 44 countries, including Google, Unilever and JD Sports. Last year it won Walmart China as a customer, and in February it acquired the data analytics firm Blueberry Wave and the Italian marketing company Alecom. Under its chief executive, Robert MacMillan, 47, sales rose 24% to £377m in 2019.

45 ClaranetSales £373.0m U 15% Profit £10.8m V 31%

Founded in 1996 by Charles Nasser, 49, this company helps more than 6,500 businesses with cloud storage, networking, cyber-security and communications. Based in London, Claranet has 24 offices and 43 data centres worldwide. In the year to July, turnover grew 15% to reach £373m, driven by organic growth and acquisitions including last year’s purchase of the Italian cloud specialist Xpeppers, the Dutch IT firm Quinfox and the security specialist NotSoSecure Global Services, which has operations in the UK, America and India.

46 Matchesfashion.comSales £371.8m U 27% Profit ‡£2.5m

Husband and wife team Tom and Ruth Chapman, 56 and 57, launched their business with a single London boutique in 1987. The retailer now sells more than 450 luxury fashion brands from three shops and its website, which delivers to 176 countries. The private equity firm Apax Partners

bought a majority stake in 2017, valuing the group at a reported £800m, and sales grew 27% in 2019 to reach £371.8m. It is launching local versions of its website for international customers, including, this year, in France, South Korea and Japan. Chief executive Ulric Jerome, 41, left in August.

47 Kitwave Wholesale GroupSales £367.0m U 8% Profit £10.2m U 22%

This Tyne and Wear wholesaler was founded in 1988 by chief executive Paul Young, 62, as a cash-and-carry in North Shields and now has 26 depots across the UK, employing more than 1,000 people. Pricoa Capital and Allstate took a minority stake in the company in 2016, helping to fund acquisitions including Phoenix Fine Foods and the alcohol wholesaler HB Clark. Last year’s hot summer and football World Cup boosted sales, which rose 8% to £367m.

48 JW GallowaySales £349.5m U 9% Profit £8.2m U 27%

JW Galloway claims to be the biggest meat exporter in Scotland, slaughtering, processing and selling beef and lamb under the Scotbeef and Scotlamb brands. Founded in 1920 by James W Galloway as a butcher’s shop, the Stirling-based company counts Aldi and Marks & Spencer among its customers and also supplies restaurants and hotels in 20 countries across Europe. Turnover rose 9% to £349.5m last year, driven by demand in the UK. Its chief executive, Robbie Galloway, 52, is the fourth generation of the family to lead the firm.

49 Princess YachtsSales £340.3m U 24% Profit £29.8m U 174%

This Plymouth-based business, whose 3,000 staff build luxury vessels ranging in size from 35ft to a mighty 130ft, is majority-owned by L Catterton, a private equity fund backed by the luxury goods giant LVMH. Executive chairman Antony Sheriff, 56, is leading a five-year, £100m investment programme and saw profits nearly treble to £29.8m in 2018, when it launched six new models.

50 Kurt GeigerSales £338.9m U 9% Profit £14.5m U 20%

Ed Sheeran, Angelina Jolie and the Duchess of Cambridge are just a few of the celebrity fans of this London-based

footwear and accessories brand. Established in 1963 in Bond Street, central London, the group now has 200 shops and concessions worldwide. Chief executive Neil Clifford, 52, led expansion in India and Australia last year, as well as investment in e-commerce operations, while still managing the impact of upheaval at its department store partners in the UK. The private equity firm Cinven — its majority shareholder — is reportedly exploring options to sell the business for £450m.

51 Baxters Food GroupSales £338.3m U 14% Profit £24.1m U 24%

Executive chairman Audrey Baxter, 58, is the fourth generation of her family to lead this Scottish food business, which celebrated its 150th anniversary last year. Baxters has six factories worldwide, producing soups, jams, chutneys and fruit juices that are sold in more than 30 countries. Half of its sales are in America, where it supplies own-brand products to Walmart and the military.

52 The Little GroupSales £338.1m U 10% Profit £17.4m U 1%

Chairman Jonathan Little, 54, heads this family-owned holding company, which includes Gardners Books, one of Britain’s largest independent wholesalers of books, music and DVDs. It also owns Lasgo, which exports CDs and vinyl records to more than 50 countries. Sales for the group, formed in 1996 and based in Eastbourne, hit £338.1m in 2018, boosted by growth in its American operations and the resurgence of vinyl worldwide.

53 Study GroupSales £337.4m V 2% Profit £16.9m U 15%

More than 30,000 students from more than 142 countries enrolled in a Study Group programme last year. The company prepares international students for university, teaches high-school classes and runs English-language courses. It also owns and operates colleges, working with universities in Europe, North America and Australasia, reporting profits up 15% to £16.9m in 2018. Emma Lancaster, 50, took over as chief executive last year, and in February Ardian acquired a majority stake in the group in a deal that valued the company at a reported £500m.

54 MawdsleysSales £326.0m U 15% Profit £6.6m U 40%

This Salford-based supplier says it is Britain’s biggest independent pharmaceutical supplier, working with more than 500 manufacturers worldwide to supply 100,000 medicines. Founded almost 200 years ago, the firm has diversified to offer pre-wholesale services, repackaging, temperature-controlled logistics, unlicensed medicine supply, pharmacy IT systems and clinical trial services. Under the leadership of chairman John Mawdsley, 68, profits grew 40% to hit £6.6m in 2018.

55 OptionisSales £321.3m U 33% Profit £17.5m U 6%

This company specialises in managing tax, employment, accountancy and legislative compliance for tens of thousands of freelancers, contractors, small businesses and recruitment firms, under brands including Parasol, Nixon Williams, Brian Alfred, SJD Accountancy and ClearSky Business. Based in Warrington, it merged with the accountancy services firm Akarius in 2017, with the backing of private equity firm Sovereign Capital Partners. In 2018, it boosted its London presence by buying the self-employment accountancy specialist First Freelance for an undisclosed sum. Doug Crawford, 58, is Optionis’s chief executive.

56 Shepherd Building GroupSales £320.5m U 8% Profit £53.6m U 11%

In operation for almost 130 years, the Shepherd group shifted focus in recent years after the decline of its construction business. The York firm sold this division to the Wates Group for £9.8m in 2015, allowing it to focus on its Portakabin business, which has been buoyed in recent years by the trend for modular and portable buildings. David Williams, 66, is chairman.

The R35 from Princess Yachts (No 49) is one of six new models recently launched by the Plymouth company

QUIN BISSET

this year and saw sales rise 7.5% to £597m in 2018.

As part of Lloyds BankingGroup’s Helping Britain Prosper plan, we’re directing £5.5bn of new funding to the social housing sector by 2020 and, mindful that the manufacturing sector is a key element of a balanced economy, have pledged £3bn of support to that. Companies such as Meadow Foods (No 30), which supplies 100,000 tons of dairy ingredients every year for manufacturers of ice cream, ready meals and sandwiches, exemplify the importance of a resilient manufacturing sector. Supporting a network of 650 dairy producers, it increased sales 58% last year to £427m after acquiring Roil Foods, a butter oils company.

More than half the leaguetable have international operations — often becoming more resilient by diversifying revenues, as Charles Tyrwhitt (No 120), the classic menswear retailer, has done. “Over the past 15 years we’ve gone from a business that was

operating solely in the UK to one that is more than 50% overseas,” said Luke Kingsnorth, chief executive. “If one market is doing well, it helps to compensate for another market having a tougher time.”

Charles Tyrwhitt now has13 stores in America and an office in Manhattan. “In the past three years we’ve made a big push for the US market, which is strongly growing,” added Kingsnorth.

It’s clear, from working with many companies in the league table, that building resilience is a natural instinct for them. At Lloyds Bank, we’re aiming to support that resilience by talking about working capital requirements in particular, and how we see the uncertain economic picture affecting them. I know, as always, I’ll leave those meetings impressed by the calibre of people running our mid-market companies.

Scott Barton is managing director, large corporates,at Lloyds Banking Group

As times have got tough, top firms have grown tougherResilience is helping our best companies to boost profits and sustainability

year, as the Doncaster-based firm, which celebrates its centenary this year, sold 672 homes across Yorkshire and the Midlands for an average price of £248,000. Meanwhile, Keepmoat Homes (No 8), a leading provider of affordable housing and also based in Doncaster, plans to build more than 4,000 homes

Charles Tyrwhitt chief executive Luke Kingsnorth helped grow the brand overseas

exchange rates and hedging positions, and looking at how new trading arrangements with Europe might affect the financing of supply chains, while looking for new opportunities the current situation might produce.

Another theme this year has been sustainability — I can’t recall a client meeting over the past six months when this hasn’t come up. It’s only going to gain in prominence, with companies that have thought through sustainability set to reap the rewards. A good example is Cedo (No 57), which makes household products such as refuse sacks and food bags. Some of them are made from the output of one of Europe’s largest plastic film recycling plants, which it owns — operating profit hit £21.8m last year on sales of £320m.

Concerns about the environment — given new impetus by factors such as the government’s new target of net zero carbon emissions by 2050 — are very much in the minds of chief executives,

Lloyds Banking Group to all the firms in the league table.

Communities, and the country at large, are beneficiaries of their endeavours. These companies employ 373,000 people, a rise of 11%, while many more jobs are supported by their respective supply chains. With 141 of the 250 companies based outside London and the southeast of England, they are playing a vital role in spreading prosperity around the country. For example, BGL Group (No 4), the Peterborough-based insurance broker behind Comparethemarket.com, has seen sales rise 13% to £661m, while for Telent (No 18), the technology and network services company based in Warwick, they are up to £542m, a 38% increase.

For Lloyds Bank, helpingto protect against economic headwinds has been a focus of recent conversations with our mid-market corporate clients. This includes scenario-planning different

The successful mid-market companies in the Top Track 250 league table always brim with entrepreneurial spirit — but this year I have been struck by another winning quality: their resilience. In an economy buffeted by uncertainty, they have increased collective sales to £63.3bn, a year-on-year rise of 16%, and operating profits are up 20% to £5.9bn.

This determination to build their businesses evenin challenging times is testament to careful planning, consistent agility and hard work. I would like to offer congratulations from

SCOTT BARTONLloyds BankingGroup

though many are thinking about their responsibilities to communities too. The waste management and recycling provider Reconomy (No 197), for instance, appointed its first head of sustainability and social value last year, and has committed to putting 1% of profit before tax into its social value programme,

while using only renewable energy at its Shropshire HQ.

Creating settled communities where householders can pursue careers and raise families is of course central to the housebuilders on the league table. Family-owned Strata Homes (No 184) increased sales by 20% to £154.1m last

The Sunday Times October 6, 2019 5

TOP TRACK 250

HEADQUARTER LOCATIONS OF THE TOP TRACK 250

16

3

29

35

8

419

347

Scotland

Northeast

East

London

Southeast

Southwest

Wales

Northern Ireland

Northwest

Midlands

68

57 CedoSales £319.7m U 3% Profit £21.8m U 25%

Telford-based Cedo supplies consumer household products ranging from rubbish sacks to food bags to retailers and food services businesses in 35 countries. It also operates one of Europe’s largest plastic film recycling plants, which handles 80,000 tons a year. Products are supplied as own-brand and under its Paclan brand. Its chief executive is Helen Allum, 54.

58 Sushi DailySales £317.9m U 8% Profit £29.1m V 2%

Fish roe temaki, seafood chirashi and Californian rolls are among the 100 dishes prepared every day at Sushi Daily’s 700-plus kiosks in Europe. Kelly Choi, 51, founded the business in Paris in 2010 with her husband, Jérôme Castaing, 51, supported by her mentor and master of sushi, Yamamoto-San. Now with headquarters in London, the business has kiosks in shops, supermarkets and airports in 10 European countries. Sales hit £317.9m last year, of which 87% were overseas.

59 Barrett SteelSales £317.7m U 9% Profit £9.1m U 8%

Founded in 1866, this family-owned firm stocks more than 100,000 tons of steel at 27 locations, counting merchant bars, handrails and carbon steels among its products. Under group managing director James Barrett, 64, the Bradford business has recently expanded operations into Scotland, investing£3m in a new warehouse and two additional sites.

60 ZPGSales £317.3m U 30% Profit £71.3m U 1%

Zoopla, PrimeLocation, uSwitch and money.co.uk are just some of the websites that are operated by this property and comparison site group. The London-based business was floated in 2014 with a valuation of £920m. Four years later, the American private equity firm Silver Lake decided to delist the company — valuing it at £2.2bn. Last year, its sales increased by 30% to £317.3m, and its founder Alex Chesterman, 49, stepped down as chief executive.

61 LWC Drinks LimitedSales £310.3m U 25% Profit £10.6m U 2%

Manchester’s LWC distributes beer, wine, spirits and soft drinks, including its own brands Agnes Arber gin, Lucky Buddha beer and Old J spiced rum. Led by its founder and chairman,

Robin Gray, 68, and chief executive, Ebrahim Mukadam, 62, it offers delivery of 7,000 lines to more than 9,000 clients, seven days a week. In 2017, it acquired new premises in Eastbourne with the purchase of the wholesaler HT White, and this year, it opened a warehouse in Leeds.

62 Cleveland Cable CompanySales £310.1m U 18% Profit £25.5m V 21%

Founded in 1978 and still owned and run by Alastair Powell, 67, and his brother Michael, 62, this Middlesbrough business supplies electrical cables to industries including rail, construction and marine and offshore. Growth in its Irish subsidiary helped push sales up 18% to £310.1m in 2018, while profits fell £4.5m because of a downturn in copper prices.

63 ProCam EuropeSales £304.4m U 12% Profit £9.1m V 1%

Founded by chairman Tony White, 77, this Cambridge agronomy business is celebrating its 40th anniversary. The group is one of the largest privately owned agronomy businesses in Europe, with more than 200 full-time agronomists in Britain and Poland.Using predictive systems based oncrop data and in-house analysis, the company says it can help increase customers’ gross margins by 25%.

64 O’Halloran & O’BrienSales £300.3m V 2%Profit £27.1m U 5%

Founded in 1972, this Surrey company has evolved from a small groundworks firm to a large construction contractor that offers civil engineering, plant hireand residential development. Among its customers are Linden Homes, Canary Wharf Contractors, Bovis Homes, Galliford Try and Berkeley. Under the leadership of founder and chairman Tom O’Brien, 72, company profits rose to £27.1m in 2019 — despite a small drop in sales to £300.3m.

65 GRS RoadstoneSales: £300.2m U 36% Profit ‡£11.2m U 49%

Nuneaton-based GRS has 75 depots nationwide distributing more than 20m tons of aggregates a year to construction firms, builders’ merchants and retailers. It also provides waste management, logistics and handling services. Last year, the business, led by chief executive Jon Fisher, 41, secured £61m in funding to support the acquisition of Essex-based S Walsh Holdings, which works in waste material removal and landfill.

66 EnconSales £299.8m U 16% Profit £19.5m U 52%

Founded in 1981 and with its headquarters in West Yorkshire, Encon distributes thermal and acoustic insulation, fire protection and roofing materials from 22 warehouses. Recent projects include supplying insulation for the restoration of a classic 1930s superyacht. Chief executive Stuart Moore, 55, led a management buyout from the building materials group Wolseley in 2011.

67 HatfieldsSales £297.8m U 7% Profit £10.0m U 24%

Ernest Hatfield began selling cars in Sheffield in 1922, setting up one of the world’s first Jaguar dealerships. Now led by managing director Gareth Williams, 55, the Wakefield-based business sold 9,474 vehicles last year from 10 dealerships in the north of England, helping profits rise to £10.0m. In addition to Jaguar, its marques include Land Rover and Volvo.

68 Arora GroupSales £293.7m U 24% Profit £38.4m V 10%

Comprising property, construction and hotel companies, this business was founded in 1999 by chairman Surinder Arora, 61, who had been running bed and breakfast services for Heathrow’s airline staff. Revenue in 2018 grew 24% to £293.7m, helped by its expanding portfolio of 13 hotels, many of which are operated under franchises with InterContinental, Accor and Marriott. It acquired a luxury golf club in Buckinghamshire in November last year and has opened three more hotels in the past 12 months, with another scheduled to be completed in 2020.

69 Lowell GroupSales £293.7m U 10% Profit £112.1m V 4%

Founded in 2004 and backed by Permira funds, this Leeds-based group buys customer debts from a range of clients and then manages their recovery. It develops technology to provide tailored repayment plans. In 2017, it acquired part of Intrum, the debt purchaser, in a deal worth €730m (£650m). Chief executive Colin Storrar, 47, took over in June from co-founder James Cornell, 46, who remains as a consultant.

70 Audley TravelSales £291.2m U 36% Profit ‡£11.2m U 49%

Founded 23 years ago, this tour operator began by running guided visits to Vietnam and has since expanded to offer tailor-made trips to more than 80 countries. Headquartered in Oxfordshire, it has offices in London, and Boston in the US, where it has seen a fourfold increase in bookings in the last three years. Nick Longman, 51, became chief executive in January — he was a former UK and Ireland managing director for Tui.

71 Swift GroupSales £289.4m U 6% Profit £17.9m V 1%

This Yorkshire firm, founded in 1964, says it is Britain’s biggest leisure vehicle manufacturer, making touring caravans, motor homes and holiday homes. It also sponsors one of the top teams in the British Rally Championship. Managing director James Turner, 49, led the second phase of a management buyout last year, following a first transaction in 2012, from the founder’s son and current chairman, Peter Smith, 70.

72 The Emerson GroupSales £286.7m U 16% Profit £99.3m V 3%

Chairman Peter Emerson Jones, 84, founded this Cheshire builder and developer in 1959. The group works in the US and Portugal as well as the UK, with projects including golf courses and residential and commercial properties. Economic growth in Florida, where the group completed 331 homes and an apartment development at Daytona Beach, helped sales rise 16% to £286.7m.

73 CH&Co GroupSales £286.5m U 19% Profit £9.3m U 9%

This company provides catering for workplaces, schools, functions and livery halls and holds a royal warrant for its services to the Queen. Chief executive Bill Toner, 61, took the reins

after the company merged with his former employer, HCM, in 2015. The Reading-based firm has pressed on with organic and acquisitive growth, merging with Harbour & Jones and Concerto in 2017, and sales rose 19% in 2018 to £286.5m. This year it merged its Scottish business with the Stirling-based Inspire Catering, and saw Equistone Partners replace MML Capital as its minority shareholder.

74 S NortonSales £286.0m U 5% Profit £8.2m V 65%

This metal recycling firm is owned by John, Charles and Matthew Harry, 73, 70 and 69 respectively, and has been in their family for more than 50 years. It collects, processes and distributes about 1.5m tons of iron and steel scrap a year through its HQ in Liverpool and depots in London, Manchester and Southampton. It acquired Axion Recycling last year enabling it to recycle up to 95% of all material processed.

75 Stewart Milne GroupSales £279.2m U 16% Profit £13.5m U 93%

Aberdeen football club chairman and investor Stewart Milne, 69, started out in business renovating kitchens and bathrooms. Today his firm builds houses in Scotland and northwest England, as well as providing prefabricated timber frames to builders across the UK. Strong demand for new housing in northwest England and central Scotland along with increased sales in the group’s timber systems helped profits reach £13.5m in 2018, an increase of 93%.

76 TimpsonSales £277.6mU 7% Profit £14.3m U 11%

Originally a shoe retailer founded in 1865 by William Timpson, this high-street stalwart offers dry cleaning, key-cutting and watch and shoe repairs in more than 2,100 shops. Profits grew by 11% to £14.3m in 2018, on sales of £277.6m, as it consolidated its 2017 acquisition of the Johnsons dry-cleaning business. The Manchester firm — which employs 1,200 ex-offenders in its 4,700-strong workforce — is run by the founder’s great-grandson, chairman Sir John Timpson, 76, and his son James, 48, who is chief executive. It is planning to build a university near its head office, offering degree training to 500 staff a year.

77 Leisure Pass GroupSales £276.8m U 23% Profit £12.2m V 9%

Led by chief executive Ted Stimpson, 53, this London-based company’s multi-attraction smartcards are used by tourists in cities including London, New York and Paris. In May, it launched a California pass, offering access to 14 attractions in the Golden State. It also builds customised software for tourist boards to manage their own smartcard systems. In 2016, Exponent bought the group from Primary Capital Partners for an undisclosed sum and the following year merged it with two US companies, making it the world’s largest attraction pass operator. The group’s largest shareholder, with a 44% stake, is the Exponent-backed Big Bus Tours (No 125).

78 Morris GroupSales £275.6m V 3% Profit £56.3m U 15%

Based in Cheshire, Morris Group has been building homes in the Midlands, northwest and southern England for more than 60 years and is led by chief executive Mike Gaskell, 57. With a focus on brownfield developments, its projects range from small sites to large urban villages. It is now building 212 homes at Upton Park in Northampton.

79 PeninsulaSales £270.6m U 21% Profit £42.9m U 20%

Peninsula provides employment, HR and health and safety consultancy services to more than 75,000 companies around the world. The business was started in 1983 by Betfred’s co-founders, Fred Done, 76, and his brother Peter, 72. International sales growth in markets including Ireland, Australia, New Zealand and Canada has increased turnover 21% to £270.6m. The Manchester-based firm has sponsored Salford City FC since 2017, when Sir Alex Ferguson opened the club’s renamed Peninsula stadium.

80 OptalSales £269.6m U 50% Profit £30.5m U 98%

Founded in 2002 by managing director Rob Bishop, 63, Optal specialises in single-use virtual bank account numbers used by travel, insurance, education and procurement firms around the world to make fast, secure payments to suppliers. The business has offices in London, Melbourne, Hong Kong and Singapore, and in March it opened one

in Dublin. The London-based firm’s rapid growth continued in 2018 with revenue increasing 50% to £269.6m, driven by growth in online travel bookings in markets such as Hong Kong and Australia.

81 Bridgetown HoldingsSales £269.1m U 15% Profit £14.8m V 11%

This Birmingham group was formed in 2015 when two plant-hire businesses merged with MV Kelly, a civil engineer founded in 1995 by Vince Kelly, 75, and his son John, 50. Still majority-owned by the Kelly family, the group provides groundwork for housebuilders such as Taylor Wimpey and Redrow. Projects at more than 150 sites helped increase revenue 15% to £269.1m in 2018.

82 Alexander Mann SolutionsSales £269.0m U 11% Profit £38.5m U 8%

Chief executive Rosaleen Blair, 53, founded this London talent outsourcing and advisory business in 1996 and has expanded it into 100 countries. The company also provides outsourced services to blue-chip clients including Rolls-Royce and Nike. Last year, the Canadian pension fund Omers acquired the business from New Mountain Capital for £820m.

83 Hadleigh Timber GroupSales £266.6m U 15% Profit £13.3m U 3%

This Stoke-on-Trent firm supplies more than 7,000 wood-panel products through its Meyer, Panelco, Timbmet and Premium brands, offering next-day delivery from its eight depots, which have a combined floor space of 2m sq ft. Under chief executive Chris Rudd, 46, sales hit £266.6m in 2018, thanks to a greater focus on customer service and the addition of new products.

84 Halewood Wines and SpiritsSales £265.2m U 25% Profit £14.3m U 206%

This Liverpool-based, family-owned business has focused on distilling, brewing and distribution to create a portfolio of artisanal spirits and craft beers. The firm has seen rapid growth of profits by 206% to £14.3m, driven by its premium gin brand Whitley Neill. It has invested £50m in building a new Scottish malt whisky distillery in Edinburgh, for its John Crabbie brand, after completing its Welsh malt whisky distillery for its Aber Falls brand. The company also owns the City of London Distillery, Liverpool Distillers, Hawkshead Brewery and Sadler’s Ales. Under chief executive Stewart Hainsworth, 50, it is expanding overseas, opening operating units in Australia, America and Russia.

85 Travel CounsellorsSales £262.2m U 21% Profit £17.4m U 12%

This Manchester business has 1,800 self-employed “travel counsellors” offering tailor-made holidays and business trips. It operates in seven countries, including Ireland, South Africa and Australia. Last year, chief executive Steve Byrne, 54, led a secondary buyout, backed by Vitruvian Partners, from fellow private equity firm Equistone, valuing the business at £250m. In the same year, sales rose 21% to £262.2m, with profits up to £17.4m.

86 RegattaSales £260.1m U 7% Profit £24.4m U 17%

This business develops hi-tech fabrics such as Isotex, which is waterproof and breathable, and is also behind the Craghoppers and Dare2b brands. Founded by the Black family in 1981, the Manchester-based group exports to 56 countries and has offices across Europe and in America, China and Bangladesh. Under chairman and chief executive Keith Black, 60, profits reached £24.4m this year.

87 FESSales £260.0m U 27% Profit £5.9m V 25%

This family-owned group provides construction support and facilities management services across Britain. Vice-chairman Duncan Fletcher, 52, the son of its founder and chairman, Duncan S Fletcher, is leading the group’s expansion. The company is based in Stirling but also has offices in London, Leeds, Reading, Stornoway, Oban and Aberdeen, and says its growing secured order book is in excess of £1.7bn.

Rosaleen Blair of Alexander Mann Solutions (No 82): the talent outsourcing company’s clients include Rolls-Royce and Nike

PETER NICHOLLS

6 The Sunday Times October 6, 2019

88 Foster + PartnersSales £258.0m U 21% Profit £26.6m V 2%

Since it was founded in 1967, the firm has won more than 800 awards for architectural design excellence and established offices on four continents. It is responsible for dozens of landmark projects, including the reconstruction of the Reichstag building and Wembley Stadium. Led by founder and chairman Lord Foster, 84, turnover grew 21% to £258.0m in 2019, with more than 90% coming from overseas.

89 Ardmore GroupSales £257.9m V 30% Profit £25.8m U26%

Brothers and joint managing directors Patrick, 64, and Cormac Byrne, 68, started this London-based builder in 1974. It now specialises in developments combining residential, retail, industrial and commercial projects. Sales fell 30% to £257.9m in 2018, which the company attributes to Brexit uncertainty and reluctance within the market to commit significant capital to new schemes. Despite this, it completed a number of significant projects during the year, which lifted profits 26% to £25.8m.

90 The Trade Centre GroupSales £257.4m U 44% Profit £22.4m U 46%

Since its foundation in 2000 by chairman Mark Bailey, 51, this car supermarket group has grown from a single dealership to five showrooms offering a range of used cars, as well as providing finance deals and part-exchange. The firm, based in West Glamorgan, saw profits climb 46% to £22.4m in 2018 after it opened two new sites, including what the company says is one of Europe’s largest used car showrooms, in Coventry.

91 Weston GroupSales £257.1m U 29% Profit £36.4m U 55%

Established in 1987 by chairman and managing director Bob Weston, 64, this company builds homes and mixed-use projects on brownfield sites in London and southeast England. The business posted record profits of £36.4m in 2018, up 55%, driven by increased residential and commercial property sales. Recent projects include the £78m Fletton Quays in Peterborough, and the £41m Station Square in Cambridge.

92 Mountain WarehouseSales £255.0m U 13% Profit £24.0m U 13%

Founder Mark Neale, 51, leads this outdoor clothing chain, which has more than 300 stores across the UK, Europe, North America and New Zealand. Sales hit £255m in 2019, boosted by new shops in Canada, Poland and Germany; and it runs nine international websites shipping boots, jackets and ski gear to 100 countries. The firm is based in London and was valued at £310m in 2018, when private equity firm Inflexion invested £45m for a minority stake. It is spending £15m this year on new shops in the UK and overseas.

93 FP McCannSales £255.0m U 18% Profit £18.6m V 7%

This civil engineering firm says it is the UK’s largest manufacturer of precast concrete; it also carries out quarrying and construction services. The business has 12 manufacturing facilities, including its Londonderry headquarters and two quarries in Lisnaskea and Armagh. Under managing director Eoin McCann, 63, turnover rose 18% to £255m in 2018.

94 QASales £253.3m U 23% Profit £50.5m U 29%

Founded in 1983 and partly built throughacquisitions, QA specialises in learning and education services, providing business and IT training courses, apprenticeships, degree-level courses and consultancy services from more than 20 locations around Britain. With more than 500 educational specialists, the firm offers 1,500 courses to clients, including BT and Barclays. In 2017, CVC Capital Partners bought a majority stake for £700m. In September, Paul Geddes, 50, took over as chief executive from William Macpherson, 56.

95 ModianoSales £251.5m U 22% Profit £22.0m U 54%

Founded in 1957 by the late Giuseppe “Jo” Modiano, this firm is now led by his sons Laurence, 54, and Michael, 51. Modiano buys untreated wool from countries such as New Zealand and Australia before processing it at its factory in the Czech Republic. It then sells the semi-treated output, where it is used to produce yarn for products such as upholstery and hosiery. Sales grew 22% to £251.5m in 2018, helped by strong domestic wool prices.

96 Voyage CareSales £249.8m U 9% Profit £24.2m U 6%

Voyage Care supports people with learning and physical disabilities, brain injuries and other needs both in their own homes and in approximately 270 care homes across the UK. In 2014, a consortium led by private equity firm Duke Street acquired the Staffordshire-based care provider, paying £375m to

HgCapital. The business is led by chief executive Andrew Cannon, 50.

97 Qualasept PharmaxoSales £239.6m U 26% Profit £17.4m U 18%

This Bath University spin-out became a commercial operation in 2006, producing specialist, individually tailored medicines such as patient-specific chemotherapy. The company has two sister businesses: Pharmaxo, which provides traditional pharmacy and hi-tech homecare services, and Microgenetics, a biotech start-up specialising in microbiology and pathogens. Overseen by co-founder and chief executive Chris Watt, 51, the group has focused its research on increasing the shelf life of biological chemotherapy drugs, significantly reducing wastage. Sales rose 26% to £239.6m in 2019.

98 FatFaceSales £238.1m U 5% Profit £30.2m U 5%

A black run ski slope in the French resort of Val d’Isère, called La Face, inspired the name of this clothing retailer, launched in 1988 by Jules Leaver and Tim Slade to fund their skiing activities. Based in Hampshire and with more than 240 shops, it is led by chief executive Liz Evans, 48, who joined the business in March. The firm has continued to expand in America, opening 18 stores since 2015.

99 Converse PharmaSales £237.9m U 14% Profit £7.8m U 352%

This Doncaster group imports and distributes prescription medicines to more than 4,000 independent pharmacies throughout Britain and Ireland. It was formed in 2013, when managing director Mark Gulliford, 50, and finance director Andy Wilson, 54, led a £37m management buyout of DE Group, Doncaster Pharmaceuticals and Eurodrug from wholesaler Mawdsleys. Having dipped in 2017, profits recovered to hit £7.8m last year.

100 Click TravelSales £237.1m U 19% Profit £5.9m U 1%

Companies such as TalkTalk, Ocado and Whitbread are among the big names to use this Birmingham firm’s services to reduce the cost and complexity of arranging corporate travel. The business was co-founded in 1999 by James McLean, 44, and his late brother Simon. In July last year, chief executive Jill Palmer, 50, supported a multimillion-pound investment round in which growth capital firm BGF acquired a minority stake for an undisclosed sum.

101 Talon OutdoorSales £235.6m U 15% Profit £11.2m U 17%

If your attention has been caught by a digital billboard recently, the chances are that Talon Outdoor was responsible for it. The London-based company helps its clients — media agencies and advertisers — place outdoor advertising campaigns for brands such as McDonald’s and Google. In 2017, Mayfair Equity Partners acquired a 51% stake for an undisclosed sum. It is led by chief executive Barry Cupples, 54, who joined in January to work alongside founder Eric Newnham, 60.

108 CCS MediaSales £229.0m U 27% Profit £5.5m U 6%

This IT specialist provides its 14,000 customers with more than 1.3m products, from computers and printers to antivirus software and e-commerce platforms. Based in Chesterfield, it has its own brand of ink cartridges, and employs more than 350 IT experts working across 16 UK offices and two advanced technology centres. Under chief executive Terry Betts, 59, it partners with vendors such as Dell, Cisco and Microsoft, and surpassed £200m sales for the first time in 2018.

109 PureGymSales £228.4m U 15% Profit £44.4m U 20%

PureGym has 240 sites open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and all offer low-cost membership and onsite personal trainers without tying members to fixed-term contracts. Its membership rose to more than 1m last year, helping turnover reach £228.4m. In 2017, chief executive Humphrey Cobbold, 54, led a buyout backed by American private equity firm Leonard Green & Partners, valuing the Leeds-based business at more than £600m.

110 Frank Recruitment GroupSales £227.9m U 26% Profit £14.3m V 4%

This Newcastle-based recruitment group has 15 offices across Europe, America, Asia and Australia. The group’s rapid growth overseas followed its buyout by TPG Growth in 2016 — the private equity firm acquired a majority stake in a deal reportedly valuing the company at just under £200m. Sales rose 26% to £227.9m in 2018, under chief executive James Lloyd-Townshend, 46.

111 TogetherSales £226.3m V24% Profit £145.7m U 9%

Cheshire-based Together is a specialist lender offering residential mortgages, buy-to-let mortgages and bridging, commercial and development loans. It is owned by founder and chief executive Henry Moser, 70, who in 2016 bought back a 30% stake in the company that had been held by Equistone and SL Capital Partners. Despite a 24% drop in sales to £226.3m this year, profits rose 9% to reach £145.7m.

112 Briggs & Forrester GroupSales £222.4m U 22% Profit £4.9m U 19%

Established in 1947 and based in Northampton, this company provides a wide range of engineering, design and carbon-reduction consultancy services to the construction industry. Briggs & Forrester operates in sectors that include residential, commercial and education. Projects for clients including Jaguar Land Rover, Dyson and Kier Group helped sales rise by almost a quarter last year to £222.4m, under chairman Mike Stanton, 65.

113 HuntswoodSales £221.4m U 4% Profit £28.1m U 7%

This Reading-based business provides specialist resourcing and consultancy services for handling customer complaints and regulatory issues for banks, pension firms and insurance companies. Against a backdrop of

increased regulation and media scrutiny, sales rose to £221.4m in 2018. The group is majority-owned by founder David Brownlow, 56, and led by chief executive Matthew Bonfield, 41, who, last year, opened a centre of excellence in Liverpool with the aim of creating up to 600 jobs.

114 SolventisSales £219.5m U13% Profit £6.0m V 52%

Drawing on a background in chemical distribution, managing director David Lubbock, 60, founded this Guildford firm in 2002. It imports petrochemical solvents from around the world and stores them in its Antwerp facility for delivery worldwide. It also makes aircraft de-icing fluids at its Antwerp base through subsidiary Kilfrost Europe. Buying the automotive solvents division of German firm Haltermann Carless helped sales hit £219.5m in 2018.

115 ImaginationSales £219.3m V 11% Profit £6.4m U 31%

The skilled staff deployed by this London-based advertising and marketing company range from architects and 3D designers to film-makers, journalists and bloggers. Led by group chief executive Patrick Reid, 43, its clients include Ford, Shell and Major League Baseball. It has 13 studios worldwide, including in New York, Shanghai and Sydney.

116 Rocco Forte HotelsSales £218.9m U 6% Profit £20.5m V 1%

The company is run and owned by the Forte family, which has been in the hotel business for four generations. In May, new hotels in Rome and Puglia were opened, taking the group’s list of luxury properties across Europe to 12. Sir Rocco Forte, 74, and his sister Olga Polizzi, 73, plan to open hotels in Shanghai and Sicily in the coming year.

117 MeggerSales £217.7m U 8% Profit £22.7m U 21%

Able to trace its roots back to 1889 and the invention of the insulation tester, or “Megger”, today this business designs and makes portable test equipment used to ensure the safe and reliable operation of electricity networks. Led by chief executive Jim Fairbairn, 50, Megger operates internationally, with eight manufacturing sites and 25 sales offices.

Last year, the group acquired Baker Instruments, a manufacturer of electronic test equipment, for an undisclosed sum.

118 John Cotton GroupSales £217.0m U 4% Profit £11.6m U 28%

This family business, founded in 1916, makes more than 10m duvets and 20m pillows a year under its Slumberdown, Snuggledown and John Cotton brands. In 2017, it acquired Australian pillow and duvet maker Tontine for £7.3m,helping raise sales to £217m last year. Third-generation managing director Mark Cotton, 43, heads the West Yorkshire-based group.

119 Caddick GroupSales £212.3m U 45% Profit £8.6m U 56%

This family-owned civil engineering, construction and development business has 40 years’ experience delivering infrastructure and real estate projects across the UK. The West Yorkshire firm says it has a pipeline of business worth £5bn. Chairman Paul Caddick, 69, and son and director Johnny, 38, are leading the group’s expansion into new and emerging sectors such as build to rent, with its Moda Living brand and e-commerce logistics.

120 Charles TyrwhittSales £212.2m V 3% Profit £15.2m U 5%

Charles Tyrwhitt has sold classic menswear since 1986, and has thriving online and mail-order businesses primarily in Britain, America, Australia and Germany. Under founder, chairman and owner Nick Wheeler, 54, the company has expanded to 41 shops, including its flagship Jermyn Street site, 13 in America and one in France. Luke Kingsnorth, 42, became chief executive in April, stepping up from his role leading the retailer’s North American operations.

121 Smartway PharmaceuticalsSales £211.8m U 19% Profit £17.8m U 45%

This wholesaler exports pharmaceutical, medical and veterinary consumables across the globe. Based in Wimbledon, southwest London, the company was started in 1997 by Hitendra Patel, 53 and his wife Kirti, 51. It provides online quotations for generic and branded products that it will then source, pack and deliver anywhere in the world. Following our close of research, the company reported sales rose to an annualised £214m in 2019.

122 LoudwaterSales £209.2m 0 0% Profit £5.2m U 12%

Founded in 1991 and run by chief executive Maurice Stimler, 41, this London group sources, distributes and sells branded products around the world, including confectionery, household goods, toiletries and groceries. Its subsidiaries include the nuts, seeds and dried fruits supplier Barrow, Lane & Ballard, which the Stimler family acquired in 2010.

123 NoteMachineSales £208.5m U 23% Profit £33.0m U 9%

Founded in 2006 by chief executive Peter McNamara, 68, NoteMachine is one of Europe’s largest operators of cash machines, supplying £21bn in cash every year from its 11,000 dispensers across the UK and Germany. It has now diversified into foreign exchange, cash machine servicing and direct currency conversions. Last year it expanded its operations into Croatia, helping sales rise 23% to £208.5m.

124 Bettys & Taylors of HarrogateSales £208.1m U 10% Profit £11.2m V 26%

Yorkshire afternoon teas are a firm favourite at this company’s six Bettys Cafe Tea Rooms. Employing more than 1,400 staff, the business also owns Yorkshire Tea, Taylors of Harrogate coffee, a craft bakery, a cookery school and an online shop. The group is celebrating its centenary this year with a series of events, and an exclusive tea and cake collection. It was founded by Swiss confectioner Frederick Belmont, and is owned by his descendants, including chairwoman Lesley Wild, 66.

102 Inspired Education HoldingsSales £234.7m U 47% Profit ‡£51.2m U 69%

This London-based company owns and operates 53 schools across 18 countries on five continents, educating more than 40,000 students. It was founded in 2013 when chairman and chief executive Nadim Nsouli, 50, acquired Reddam House — a leading group of four schools in South Africa — from group president Graeme Crawford, 58. The group’s portfolio has since expanded to include the International School of Europe group in Italy and ACG schools in New Zealand among many others.

103 McLaughlin & HarveySales £233.9m V 13% Profit £6.4m U 70%

This 166-year-old company, based in County Antrim, has maintained its position — despite the property slump in Ireland — by focusing on its building and civil engineering work in the wider UK market. Among its projects are the £68m redevelopment of King’s College Hospital in southeast London.McLaughlin & Harvey listed on the stock market in 1979, before being taken private in 1993 by Kenneth Cheevers. Although sales fell by 13% to £233.9m in 2018, profits rose 70% to £6.4m.

104 Day’s Motor GroupSales £231.3m U 10% Profit £10.1m U 1%

Founded in 1926, this Swansea motor group remains family-owned and is led by Graham Day, 74, grandson of the founder. It sells Peugeot, Ford, Fiat and Iveco cars and vans at 12 sites across the south and west of Wales and also in Bristol, Exeter and Shrewsbury. Its property development arm is planning to build a trading estate on eight acres of land acquired from Swansea council for £2m in 2017.

105 Story HomesSales £230.8m U 3% Profit £15.6m U 94%

Fred Story, 62, founded this Carlisle-based housebuilder 32 years ago andit now works on developments across the north of England and southern Scotland. He relinquished his role as chief executive in 2017 but returned last year. Under his leadership, 2019 profits rose 94%, to £15.6m.

106 PX GroupSales £230.7m U 70% Profit £6.6m U 33%

This Teesside firm operates, maintains and manages facilities in the oil and gas, fuel storage and power generation sectors. Last year it completed the purchase of the 370-acre Saltend Chemicals Park in Hull, which is home to BP, among others. Chief executive Geoff Holmes, 60, joined in July from Ineos.

107 Taylor MaxwellSales £229.1m U 17% Profit £6.6m U 63%

This company provides timber and façade services to the construction industry and celebrates its 60th anniversary this year. Headquartered in Bristol, the firm now operates from 15 regional sites and supplies a range of products that include bricks, cladding, timber and masonry, as well as offsite services. Led by managing directors Martin Rudge, 54, and Tony Hammond, 58, sales hit £229.1m this year.

THE 10 BIGGEST EMPLOYERS

Rank Company Business Staff Page

6 HC-One Care home operator 25,281 3

7 Barchester Healthcare Care home operator 15,754 3

28 Busy Bees Nurseries operator 11,554 3

137 Churchill Contract Services Facilities services provider *11,407 7

96 Voyage Care Care home operator 10,249 6

12 Virgin Active Health club operator *9,440 3

55 Optionis Professional services group 7,388 4

1 Holland & Barrett Health food and supplements retailer 7,288 1

2 Travelodge Budget hotel operator 7,210 1

136 Castle View Leisure Services manager 7,125 7

* Supplied by company

Founded by Mark Neale, Mountain Warehouse (No 92) sells outdoor gear through more than 300 shops worldwide, and made a profit of £24m last year

TOM STOCKILL

The Sunday Times October 6, 2019 7

TOP TRACK 250

125 Big Bus ToursSales £206.4m U 25% Profit £21.2m U 444%

Formed by the merger in 2011 of two sightseeing businesses in London and Paris, this firm provides open-top bus tours in 23 cities across four continents. It added four new cities in the past year including Berlin, its first move into Germany. Last year it expanded into Dublin with the acquisition of Irish City Tours, boosting 2019 sales to £206.4m, with profits of £21.2m. The London-based group, which is led by chief executive Alex Payne, 51, was acquired by private equity firm Exponent in 2015 for an undisclosed sum.

126 Big Motoring WorldSales £206.0m U15% Profit £8.4m U 27%

Chief executive Peter Waddell, 53, started this business 33 years ago, selling used cars from his driveway. The Kent-based company now stocks thousands of cars at its sites in West Malling, Chatham, Snodland, Canterbury and Stratford in east London. Initially focused solely on premium brands such as Audi, BMW and Mercedes, it now stocks all brands of second-hand cars, and sells an average of 2,000 a month.

127 The EntertainerSales £204.4m U 22% Profit £14.6m U 28%

This Buckinghamshire firm is the biggest independent toy retailer in Britain, with more than 160 stores. It was founded in 1981 by husband-and-wife team Gary and Catherine Grant, 61 and 65 respectively, and has franchised stores in Egypt, Cyprus, Pakistan and Kazakhstan, plus its own brand of toys — Addo Play. Continued growth in ecommerce has helped profits rise 28% to £14.6m. The firm donates 10% of its profits to charity.

128 Edinburgh AirportSales £203.9m U 10% Profit £97.3m U 20%

Edinburgh is Scotland’s busiest airport. Last year it handled more than 14.3m passengers and operated flights to more than 150 destinations on more than 30 airlines. The airport’s expanded terminal opened last year. It says it contributes almost £1bn a year to the Scottish economy and supports 23,000 jobs in Scotland. Gordon Dewar, 53, is chief executive.

129 BarbourSales £202.3m U 9% Profit £33.5m U 19%

This fifth-generation family firm is marking its 125th anniversary and holds three royal warrants for its hard-wearing, wet-weather clothing. Its traditional wax jackets are still manufactured by hand at its factory in Simonside, Tyne and Wear, and it registered record sales of £202.3m last year. Managing director Steve Buck, 61, is seeking to add to its presence in 40 countries. Its chairwoman is Dame Margaret Barbour, 79.

130 JJ Food ServiceSales £201.5m U 2% Profit £6.9m U 17%

This north London company was established in 1988 by Mustafa Kiamil, 63, to supply fresh, chilled, ambient and frozen foods. With 800 staff in its 11 distribution centres, it delivers predominantly to restaurants. Other customers include hospitals and local authorities. Profits rose 17% to £6.9m last year thanks to strong performances from three new branches and the launch of an Amazon-style notification system to improve customer service.

131 MotordepotSales £199.8m U 35% Profit £8.4m U 18%

Founded in 2001, this car dealership opened three branches last year, bringing its total sites to 11 across the north of England and the Midlands. Based in Hessle, near Hull, the company has more than 3,000 cars in stock, and recently opened a four-acre preparation site which is capable of processing up to 150 cars a day. Sales grew by more than a third last year under the guidance of managing director Steve Butterley, 46, reaching £199.8m.

132 James Walker GroupSales £199.4m U 3% Profit £8.4m U 15%

This Surrey firm was founded in 1882 by Scottish engineer James Walker, selling oils and engineering accessories. Today the group is led by chairman and chief executive Peter Needham, 60, and provides sealing services for the oil, gas, power and marine sectors. It also installs noise and vibration-reduction systems and flooring for the rail and mass transit industry. Last year the business expanded its manufacturing operations in Thailand to complement more than 50 existing sites across the UK, Asia, Australia and South Africa.

133 Crown OilSales £197.5m U 37% Profit £10.0m U 78%

Sponsors of the home ground of League One football team Rochdale, this Bury firm supplies diesel, heating oil and lubricants to businesses and homes. It also supplies emergency fuel and mains gas. Matthew Greensmith, 45 — grandson of the founder Harry

Greensmith — is managing director. Last year it acquired London-based Birlem Oil, and Beesley Fuels in the West Midlands, both for an undisclosed sum.

134 Radisson Blu Edwardian HotelsSales £197.5m U 5% Profit £33.9m U 12%

Edwardian operates 13 hotels in central London, Manchester and Heathrow in partnership with the global brand Radisson Blu, as well as its own luxury building the May Fair Hotel. It also runs the Scoff & Banter and Steak & Lobster restaurant brands. Projects include the construction of a 350-bedroom hotel in Leicester Square, with a spa, cinema and banqueting suite. Chief executive and chairman Jasminder Singh, 68, founded the group in 1977.

135 MiQSales £196.9m U 26% Profit £10.4m V5%

Gurman Hundal, 36, and Lee Puri, 46, founded this digital marketing agency in 2010 to help clients use data to target their marketing. Its proprietary software provides directed advertising campaigns for brands including American Express, Unilever and GroupM. In 2017, private equity firm ECI Partners bought a minority stake to support overseas growth and product development. The company employs 570 staff across 18 offices globally.

136 Castle ViewSales £195.6m U 11% Profit £8.9m V 13%

More than 50 local authorities outsource the management of more than 170 leisure facilities to this Stirling-based group, run by managing director Martin Bell, 57. The diversified business also provides catering management software and last year invested £5.6m in a new bakery for the production of its own-brand pizzas. It is also the owner of the Everyone Active and Everyone Health brands. New contracts with Crawley and Bracknell Forest borough councils helped sales reach £195.6m last year.

137 Churchill Contract ServicesSales £192.0m U 21% Profit £9.5m U 153%

Starting out in 1991 with only one cleaning van to their name, Joel Briggs, 57, and Philip Moxom, 58, have since expanded their business to include not only cleaning, but also catering, security, compliance and maintenance services. Among its big-name customers are the Port of Dover, BDO, easyJet and the universities of Bath and Leeds. In May, the Hertfordshire-based business signed up the English National Ballet to its new brand, Portfolio, which offers clients a more concierge-style cleaning service.

138 Advance Construction GroupSales £190.1m V 7% Profit £11.7m U 232%

Managing director Seamus Shields, 51, had only £27 in his pocket when he

decided to hitchhike from Ireland to Britain to seek a career in business. The construction firm he founded in 1993 now provides groundworks and civil engineering services for residential and commercial developments. Completing projects and operational efficiencies helped profits grow to £11.7m last year, despite an overall decline in sales to £190.1m.

139 The Belfield GroupSales £189.9m U 17% Profit £8.4m ■ 0%

Belfield manufactures sofas, curtains, cushions and mattresses at its base in Derbyshire and from sites in Preston, Manchester and Flintshire. It supplies independent furniture stores and high-street retailers such as John Lewis, Next and Marks & Spencer. Gary Lasham, 61, joined from DS Smith in April last year, and officially took over as chief executive in January. As we went to press, the group reported sales of £197.5m for 2018.

140 Croudace HomesSales £189.4m U 4% Profit £23.0m U 14%Founded in 1946, this Surrey-based firm specialises in building family homes in towns within commuting distance of London. It sold nearly 500 last year, about a third of which were affordable housing. Still owned by the founding Brotherton-Ratcliffe family, the groupis run by chief executive Russell Denness, 60.

141 Hopkins HomesSales £189.2m U 10% Profit £47.2m U 13%

Founder and executive chairman James Hopkins, 59, worked as a fine-art dealer and fishmonger before moving into the building trade after acquiring a run-down cottage, which he fixed up and sold for a profit. Now his company builds close to 1,000 homes a year in Suffolk, Norfolk, Essex and Cambridgeshire. It plans to expand into the south and west of England.

142 EthigenSales £188.8m U 2% Profit £6.5m U 115%

This Strathclyde pharmaceuticals wholesaler was founded by pharmacist and chief executive Nigel Kelly, 52, in 2000 to supply independent pharmaciesin Scotland. The business now sells across Britain and Ireland, and exports to the Middle East, Africa and continental Europe. Last year profits doubled to £6.5m.

143 ReissSales £186.5m U 10% Profit £12.9m U 75%

This fashion retailer was valued at about £200m in 2016 when founder David Reiss, 76, sold a majority stake to private equity firm Warburg Pincus. Under chief executive Christos Angelides, 56, Reiss has used the investment to continue its expansion, opening 20 new outlets this year. The brand’s popularity soared

after the then Kate Middleton wore a Reiss dress when her engagement to Prince William was announced in 2011. It has 189 stores in 17 countries.

144 DalzielSales £184.9m U 3% Profit £14.3m U 10%From mincing machines to butchers’ hats and aprons, this Lanarkshire food services business supplies ingredients and equipment to the meat-processing industry and to 5,000 high street butchers. Stuart Dalziel, 49, is chief executive leading 662 staff at 12 sites across Britain.

145 Dune LondonSales £184.2m U 5% Profit £5.8m V 6%

Founded in 1992 by chairman Daniel Rubin, 72, this London-based brand sells its footwear in more than 300 shops and concessions around the world. Its shoes, worn by celebrities including the singer Carrie Underwood, are also shipped to 130 countries in 70 currencies through its website. Under chief executive James Cox, 52, the business has seen a surge in online sales and opened 26 new stores in the Middle East, India and Malaysia.

146 Pitch InternationalSales £183.6m U 37% Profit £21.4m U 18%This sports marketing agency is known for its representation of global media rights and sponsorship sales for clients such as the FA and ECB, as well as the management and organisation of elite events. Founded in 2004 by Paul McGrath, 48, Jon Owen, 48, and Hans Duikersloot, 57, the group also has a player management business, which was involved in Kieran Trippier’s transfer from Spurs (No 42) to Atletico Madrid. It also produces sports documentaries, including All or Nothing: Brazil for Amazon Prime.

147 James Donaldson GroupSales £183.4m U 19% Profit £8.6m U 12%

Founded in Fife in 1860 to import wood from Scandinavia and Russia, this fifth-generation family-owned timber business has six trading divisions offering saw-milling services, timber engineering and specialist building products. In 2016, it acquired roofing product supplier Nu-Style for an undisclosed sum. It is led by group managing director Scott Cairns, 52, and Neil Donaldson, 64, chairman.

148 Toomey GroupSales £183.3m V 4% Profit £7.6m U 27%

Founded in 1929 as a motorbike retailer by Joseph Toomey, this Essex-based group has since moved into car sales and fleet leasing, and operates a taxi and courier business. Contracts with clients such as the European Commission, World Bank and UN helped profits grow 27% to £7.6m last year. The group is led by chief executive Paul Plant, 60.

149 Arlington Industries GroupSales £182.6m U 7% Profit £3.2m V 49%

This Manchester firm designs and makes parts for the automotive and aerospace industries. Its factories in Britain, France, Slovakia, Germany, Brazil, America and China, alongside ventures in Turkey and India, supply customers such as BMW, Ford and Nissan. The group has acquired businesses with design manufacture and assembly capabilities to reduce customer supply chains. In January, non-exec chairman Kevin Morley, 69, and chief executive Mark Franckel, 56, led the acquisition of automotive parts supplier BorgWarner’s thermostat business for a reported €24m.

150 Tara DevelopmentsSales £181.8m U 41% Profit £20.4m U 28%

This Staffordshire-based group was founded in 1974, offering civil engineering, property rental and housebuilding services. Led by its founder Noel Sweeney, 75, its civil engineering division, Chasetown, provides a full range of civil, infrastructure, roads and sewers, earthworks and groundworks services. Its housebuilding divisions — Cameron Homes and Keon Homes — have been building properties for more than 20 years.

151 AESSEALSales £181.3m U 6% Profit £27.9m U 17%

This Rotherham-headquartered firm is led by founder and managing director Chris Rea, 65, who says the business is developing enhanced, patented technology for almost all wet and dry gas-seal applications. The company operates in more than 230 locations worldwide, supplying customers in 104 countries. Sales have grown steadily to reach £181.3m in 2018.

152 BW Workplace ExpertsSales £180.5m U 20% Profit £5.2m U 25%

BW Workplace Experts has made its name fitting out and refurbishing buildings for clients ranging from Primark to Amnesty International. Many of its customers are in the financial services sector, and recent projects have included an office refit for Jupiter Asset Management worth more than £3m. In 2017, chief executive Steve Elliott, 59, led a management buyout, which acquired a 60% stake in the group.

153 Europa WorldwideSales £180.0m U 25% Profit £5.2m U 49%

Founded more than 50 years ago, when it operated only one route — to and from Italy — this logistics firm makes more than 450,000 shipments a year to 160 countries from its £30m base in Dartford. Managing director Andrew Baxter, 44, saw sales grow 25% to £180m last year, as the company reaped the

benefits of its investment, including the acquisition of Continental Cargo Carriers of Belgium.

154 GymsharkSales £179.5m U 74% Profit £19.4m U 10%

Ben Francis, 27, started this fitness clothing brand in his parents’ garage in 2012. It has since gone global under the leadership of chief executive Steve Hewitt, 46, with its clothing and accessories now sold directly to consumers in 178 countries via 13 websites in multiple languages. The Solilhull company has grown by engaging its young fans online, with sponsorships of popular YouTube and Instagram ambassadors helping it reach a combined social media following of 112m. Sales hit £179.5m this year from its online channel only, up 74% from 2018.

155 NEC GroupSales £179.5m U 11% Profit £53.7m U 16%

Each year more than 7m people visit the 750 live events run by this business, including the BBC Good Food Show and Crufts. The Birmingham company owns five venues, which will be involved in the city’s 2022 Commonwealth Games, hosting nine sports. Future plans include building one of Europe’s first 360-degree cinemas and transforming a former cinema in Bradford into a 4,000-capacity live events venue. Last October, the group was sold for £800m to investment firm Blackstone, just three years after being acquired by private equity firm, LDC, for £307m. The group is led by chief executive Paul Thandi, 53.

156 Richard HochfeldSales £179.4m U 7% Profit £4.2m U 28%

Richard Hochfeld was established as a family business in 1897. Led by managing director Alan Guindi, 58, this Kent supplier of table grapes, apples and pears operates four subsidiaries that import, distribute and insure fruit. Last year, the business saw profits rise 28% to £4.2m on sales of £179.4m, helped by increased demand.

157 TransferWiseSales £179.1m U 53% Profit £12.1m U 27%

TransferWise’s platform bypasses the traditional international bank-payments system. This means lower fees for its 6m customers — who transfer a total of £4bn a month. Last month, it launched its first two banking partnerships in the US and a new account allowing people and businesses to hold money in up to 49 currencies, and extended its partnerships with international banks to include Dutch bank bunq, while also working with Monzo to help the bank’s digital customers make international transfers. Sales hit £179.1m this year, under co-founders Taavet Hinrikus, 38, and Kristo Kaarmann, 39.

Celebrities including Ben Fogle, Edith Bowman and Lawrence Dallaglio wear the classic wax jackets from Barbour (No 129) to raise a toast with vice-chairman Helen Barbour, back third from left

8 The Sunday Times October 6, 2019

Elona Mortimer-Zhika of IRIS Software (No 172) has grown profits 20% to £78.8m

158 WillerbySales £174.8m U 5% Profit £17.0m U 17%

Named after the Yorkshire village where it began making caravans more than 70 years ago, Willerby has since moved to bigger premises in Hull, where it designs and assembles about 8,000 static caravans and lodges each year. In 2017, chief executive Peter Munk, 56, led a buyout backed by private equity firm Equistone Partners, which acquired a majority stake for an undisclosed sum.

159 Cotswold Motor GroupSales £173.3m U 17% Profit £3.8m U 47%

Established in 1995 by chief executive Andrew Hulcoop, 59, this car dealer has grown to sell cars through its BMW and Mini Centres in Cheltenham and Hereford, BMW Motorrad in Cheltenham, and an approved bodyshop centre in Tewkesbury. Growth in turnover and profit last year was driven by strong motorcycle sales and aftersales.

160 Readie ConstructionSales: £172.8m U 26% Profit: £7.7m U 15%

Romford-based Readie is a construction specialist operating in the industrial, logistics and retail sectors. The business built more than 4m sq ft of warehouse space in 2018, including a 574,000 sq ft industrial unit in Milton Keynes for European logistics group Gazeley. Founder and executive chairman Stuart Read, 49, initiated a management buyout last year, with his eight-strong senior team now owning 51%.

161 Davies Turner Sales £172.2m U 13% Profit £5.4m V 2%

This family-run firm specialises in international logistics and supply chain management. Celebrating 150 years in business next year, it provides import and export services, transporting products for manufacturers and consumer goods for the high street. The West Midlands group has more than 20 sites in Britain and Ireland and completed its largest site to date in 2017 — a 140,000 sq ft warehouse in Avonmouth. Chairman Philip Stephenson, 71, and managing director Michael Stephenson, 68, lead the group.

162 CCGSales £168.4m U 17% Profit £12.9m U 43%

This Glasgow construction firm has focused on the provision of social housing, building more than 1,300 properties last year. Currentprojects include the Anderston Regeneration Masterplan, which saw it build 206 properties homes in Glasgow. It prides itself on its trade apprenticeships and the training of management. Chief executive Alastair Wylie, 68, oversaw profits of £12.9m in 2019, up 43%.

163 Cameron MackintoshSales £168.4m U 27% Profit £17.3m V 23%

This producer’s shows include Mary Poppins, Hamilton, Oliver! and Les Misérables, which marks its 35th anniversary this year. The group also owns eight West End theatres and MTI, a theatrical licensing agency, which expanded its core North American operation, and opened offices in London and Melbourne. Revenue grew 27% to £168.4m in 2018, driven by a higher number of productions and the 2017 reopening of the Victoria Palace Theatre after a £61m restoration. Founder, Sir Cameron Mackintosh, 72, leads the business as chairman.

164 APP WholesaleSales £167.2m U 22% Profit £6.1m U 77%

This Dagenham-based plumbing wholesaler has nine UK locations and a fleet of transport vehicles, distributing more than 3,000 heating and hot water products. Sales increased 22% to £167.2m in 2018, driven by increased trade with its existing customer base and growing online sales. The firm is wholly owned by chairman Allan Pierce, 72, who founded the business in 1969.

165 James WalkerSales £166.8m U 1% Profit £15.0m U 12%

Founded in Inverness in 1863 as a sawmill, this group is now involved in property development, housebuilding, timber engineering, contracting, importing timber and the facilities management of healthcare facilities. Recent projects include the conversion of Corstorphine Hospital in Edinburgh into 74 luxury apartments. The Livingston business is led by managing director John Campbell, 69.

166 NewshipSales £166.5m U 10% Profit £11.3m U 29%

Newship is a conglomerate based in Surrey that operates in the packaging, construction, engineering and event hire markets across Europe. Its largest subsidiaries include Beatson Clark, which provides glass packaging to commercial markets; Rollalong, which designs and manufactures permanent modular buildings; and metal engineer Jenks & Cattell. In August, it acquired Adapted Vehicle Hire, an accessible vehicle business, for an undisclosed sum. The business is run by chairman John Newman, 73, and chief executive Stephen Compson, 65.

167 InHealthSales £165.2m U 9% Profit £4.4m U 28%

This Buckinghamshire firm says it is the UK’s largest specialist provider of diagnostic and healthcare solutions and to have provided a test, scan or treatment for more than 2m people — the majority NHS patients — in the past year. Under chief executive Richard Bradford, 56, profits rose 28% to £4.4m in 2018, on sales of £165.2m. In February, it acquired UpRightMRI for an undisclosed sum.

168 The Sebden GroupSales £165.2m U 27% Profit £4.4m V 52%

This Cheshire business processes more than 50,000 tons of steel a month and holds some 60,000 tons in stock. Led by

chairman and chief executive Ron Hill, 71, the company operates from seven locations nationwide and includes Sebden Steel Service Centres; Albion Sections, which makes cold-rolled steel for construction and engineering; and Structural Systems, which designs and installs steel frames. Last year its sales increased 27% to £165.2m.

169 Durkan LtdSales £164.9m U 17% Profit £10.8m U 26%

This Hertfordshire housing developer and contractor focuses on new-build and refurbishment schemes for local authorities and housing associations, private residential and commercial property development. The group’s contracting business, which is focused on London and southeast England, performed strongly in 2018 boosting sales 17% to £164.9m, with profits up 26% to £10.8m. Set up by William Durkan in 1970, the firm is now run by his son, Daniel, 55.

170 Lindum GroupSales £163.8m U 9% Profit £7.6m U 8%

Named after the Roman word for Lincoln and founded by engineer John Chambers in 1956, this construction firm also has offices in Peterborough and York. The company is 46% owned by its workforce — 406 of its 660 employees are shareholders, and all have the opportunity to buy shares in the group. It works on new-build, refurbishment and maintenance projects spanning the East Midlands, East Anglia and Yorkshire and is chaired by the founder’s youngest son, David, 62.

171 Bond InternationalSales £162.2m U 14% Profit £7.5m U 101%

Bond International has sold wholesale tyres since 1966 from its headquarters in Pocklington, near York. Today, the firm says its four nationwide distribution centres and fleet of delivery vehicles supply more than 2.5m tyres a year, all available for next-day delivery. The group is led by founder and managing director Reg Bond, 76.

172 IRIS Software GroupSales £162.2m U 16% Profit ‡£78.8m U 20%

The £1.3bn purchase last year of this Berkshire software company by HgCapital and Intermediate Capital Group was reportedly the UK’s largest-ever private equity buyout in the sector. The group supports 21,000 accountancy practices, 11,000 schools and academies, and 80,000 small businesses via its software, which covers accountancy, human resources, and payroll. The company has acquired several businesses during the year including BioStore, which provides identity management and cashless payment systems; and Practice Engine, a provider of practice management solutions to accounting practices. The company is led by chief executive Elona Mortimer-Zhika, 39. Its ebitda profit margin of 49% is one of the highest on the league table.

173 Firmdale HotelsSales £162.0m U 9% Profit £12.5m U 353%

Husband-and-wife team Tim and Kit Kemp, 73 and 68, opened their first boutique London hotel in 1985. The business has since grown to include eight hotels in London and two in New York, with Kit designing the award-winning interiors. The group is considering further expansion in New York, with plans drawn up for a third hotel near the World Trade Center complex.

174 Consolidated Timber HoldingsSales £161.3m U 12% Profit £7.4m U 53%

This Surrey business imports, distributes and processes sustainable timber and timber products. Founded in 1990, it comprises seven companies, including Triesse, a Leeds-based wood products manufacturer acquired in

2013. It has a port facility at Tilbury and a half-share in Ramkor, which trades in timber products in the Middle East. Sales hit £161.3m last year, under the leadership of group chief executive Andy Smith, 60.

175 APS GroupSales £160.9m U 25% Profit £5.4m U 149%

This print management company helps design and produce marketing and communication materials for international clients such as Adidas and the BBC. It also provides onsite design studios, with production facilities in Stockport, Chester and Edinburgh. In 2018, managing director Nick Snelson, 54, invested in the group’s infrastructure expertise, software capability and production capacity.

176 Molson GroupSales £160.8m U 30% Profit £7.3m U 63%

This Bristol-based dealer sells construction equipment, ranging from telehandlers to impact crushers, with brands including Hyundai, Dieci and Kobelco. Run by co-founders and joint managing directors Jonathan Wilson, 53, and Robin Powell, 50, it operates from seven sites across the UK, having opened its latest site in Inverness, in 2018 — the same year, profits rose 63% to £7.3m and the group acquired Stafford-based Finlay Plant for an undisclosed sum.

177 Medequip Assistive TechnologySales £159.9m ■ Profit £6.3m U 9%

This Heathrow-based business helps elderly and disabled people live more independently by providing home medical aids ranging from care beds to walking frames. It manages equipment loan services for local councils and the NHS, as well as selling to the public through its Manage at Home online store. Chief executive James Ibbotson, 42, oversees more than 40 contracts operating out of 20 specially adapted depots across the country.

178 Mick GeorgeSales £158.3m U 21% Profit £9.8m U 12%

Named after its 62-year-old founder and managing director, this Cambridgeshire firm supplies aggregates and ready-mix concrete, manages demolition waste, and provides earth-moving, excavation and facilities management to the construction sector. It has seen a 50% rise in concrete sales, helped by its supply agreement for the A14 upgrade, which started in late 2016. This year it won a £31m earthworks contract for the M1 smart motorway upgrade in Northamptonshire.

179 Numatic InternationalSales £157.9m U 6% Profit £14.6m U 36%

The iconic Henry vacuum cleaners and industrial specification wet vacuums are among the 4,000-plus cleaning and maintenance products this company makes at its Somerset base and ships around the world. It has subsidiaries in Europe and South Africa, and launched operations in Spain last year. Under founder and managing director Christopher Duncan, 79, profits grew 36% to £14.6m in 2018.

180 KeltruckSales £156.9m U 5% Profit £5.0m U 8%

Established in 1983, Keltruck claims to be the largest independent Scania truck dealer in Europe, serving the Midlands and south Wales from 18 locations. The company is based in West Bromwich and led by chairman Chris Kelly, 41, the son of the founder. The UK market for heavy trucks was static in 2018, but increased service hours and an uplift in parts sales helped turnover rise to £156.9m.

181 International PlywoodSales £156.0m U 12% Profit £7.2m U 78%

This Gloucester firm supplies wood-based panel products to builders’ merchants and construction companies across the UK and Europe. It imports

from countries including Brazil, China, Malaysia and Russia and profits rose 78% to £7.2m in 2018, driven by increasing domestic timber demand. The family-owned business is led by Ian Attwood, 45, the son of the company’s founder.

182 EH SmithSales £155.5m U 8% Profit £5.0m U 74%

This Birmingham timber and builders’ merchant was founded in 1922 by the father of Ken Smith, who was chairman of the company until he died, aged 99, in 2017. It has 11 sites across the Midlands and southeast England, stocking building supplies, trade products, paving and landscaping items. New branches in central Birmingham and Castle Bromwich helped lift sales to £155.5m in 2018. The group is led by chief executive and chairman John Parker, 61.

183 Vital EnergiSales £154.5m U 30% Profit £8.3m U 16%

Founded in 2000 by joint managing director Gary Fielding, 63, this Blackburn-based business provides energy-efficient power and heating systems for public and private sector customers. It is currently delivering one of the UK’s largest heat networks, using energy recovered from recycled waste to provide nearly 2,000 homes and businesses in Leeds with heating and hot water.

184 Strata HomesSales £154.1m U 20% Profit £18.4m V 7%

This family-owned business sold 672 homes across Yorkshire and the Midlands last year for an average price of £248,000. This helped 2018 sales rise 20% to £154.1m at the Doncaster company. In March, it launched a digital service allowing buyers to view and reserve plots online with a £250 deposit.

188 Flying Trade GroupSales £152.6m U 16% Profit £11.3m V 3%

Led by brothers Suki, 53, and Harry Dulai, 47, Essex-based Flying Trade comprises firms spanning the food, hotel and leisure sectors. Surya Foods is its biggest subsidiary, supplying 2,500 global food products, including its rice brands Laila, Salaam and Apna. Tesco and Asda are among its UK customers, as well as European retailers, which it supplies from its continental distribution centres. Sales to more than 30 countries reached £152.6m in 2018.

189 HG ConstructionSales £152.6m U 21% Profit £12.7m U 43%

Chief executive Christopher Benham, 61, and group managing director Kevin Quinn, 65, led the management buyout of Hunting Gate Construction in 2000. Today, the Hertfordshire firm’s varied construction portfolio includes building the new £11.5m Westminster Business Square and redeveloping the site of a former Marmite factory in south London. Recent growth has been led by the creation of student accommodation, with projects including the £41m Scape student centre in Guildford.

190 ByromSales £150.1m U 270% Profit £13.6m U 737%

This Cheshire group has spent 30 years helping large international sporting events run smoothly. Founded by Jaime and Enrique Byrom, 63 and 66 respectively, its Match brands provide accommodation, ticketing and IT services for clients such as Fifa. A busy year that included the Fifa World Cup in Russia and Ryder Cup in France contributed to a 270% leap in sales to £150.1m in 2018.

191 Five GuysSales £149.5m U 25% Profit £7.3m U 47%

Sir Charles Dunstone, 54, the founder of Carphone Warehouse, was inspired by the popularity of the US chain Five Guys to create this joint venture with its founding Murrell family in 2012. The business has now grown to more than 90 sites, serving cult favourites such as crispy-bacon milkshakes and handmade burgers. Under chief executive John Eckbert, 51, nine new site openings helped UK sales rise to £149.5m in 2018.

192 EBB PaperSales £149.3m 0 0% Profit £4.3m U 40%

This Hampshire-based paper and board merchant has nine warehouses across Britain. Last year its fleet of 90 vehicles managed to clock up a combined distance of almost 3m miles, delivering 168,000 tons of paper products to its numerous customers. Founded nearly a century ago, the business is now into its fourth generation of family ownership and management. Profits rose 40% to £4.3m in 2018 under chairman Tim Elliott, 65.

193 Masterson HoldingsSales £149.2m U 15% Profit £10.9m U 5%

Chairman Michael Masterson, 68, established this contracting business in 1980 with his wife Mona, 67, after working as a carpenter. Today, the Hertfordshire-based firm has three divisions specialising in concrete frames and groundwork; carpentry and joinery; and plant hire and construction services.Customers of the family-owned business include contractors Mace, Wates and Sir Robert McAlpine.

194 Lawton TubesSales £149.0m U 11% Profit £5.8m U 1%

This fourth generation family firm makes and distributes copper tubes used in a wide range of applications, from supplying medical gas in hospitals to engineering at whisky distilleries and even plumbing at the Houses of Parliament. Under the leadership of cousins Oliver and Giles Lawton, both 49, the Coventry-based firm celebrated its centenary last year.

It is led by chairman Irving Weaver, 70, and his son, chief executive Andrew, 46.

185 MulalleySales £153.9m U 10% Profit £6.9m V 22%

Essex-based Mulalley works largely with public-sector clients across London and southeast England to build, refurbish and maintain commercial and residential properties. In 2018, it worked on schemes for Islington, Tower Hamlets, Newham and Dagenham councils, and in January, was awarded work as part of the £1bn regeneration of Barking town centre. The firm is owned by the O’Malley family, and led by managing director Brendan O’Malley, 66, the son of the founder.

186 Mount AnvilSales £153.7m U 44% Profit £12.7m U 18%

With its own in-house construction arm, this business is a builder, designer and developer working in the London residential market. Recent projects include Three Waters, a waterfront apartment building in east London, and ongoing work at the nearby Royal Eden Docks. The firm was founded in 1991 by chief executive Killian Hurley, 61, who has outlined plans to begin building almost 3,000 new homes by March 2021.

187 DingbroSales £153.1m U 12% Profit £10.1m U 21%

Aberdeen-based Dingbro is a wholesale distributor of motor vehicle components, bodyshop supplies and car paint. It was founded in 1973 from a small unit in Fraserburgh, Scotland, and its inventory has grown to 250,000 lines. It now has 30 sites, spread from the Faroe Islands to the Scottish borders. It is owned and run by two generations of the Dingwall family.

Kit Kemp, who co-founded Firmdale Hotels (No 173) with her husband Tim, designs the interiors for the company’s 10 properties in London and New York

SIMON BROWN

KAY RANSOM

The Sunday Times October 6, 2019 9

TOP TRACK 250

195 MediaforceSales £147.2m U 7% Profit £6.0m U 163%

Mediaforce Group is a diverse media and advertising company. Its lead leaflet business places more than 3bn items a year for its corporate clients. The group supplies local print and online advertising within the regional newspaper market and is the largest regional publisher within Ireland. Founder and chief executive Malcolm Denmark, 64, oversaw profits of £6m in 2018.

196 CeXSales £146.3m U 3% Profit £3.0m U 142%

People looking to trade in their games consoles or pick up a second-hand iPad are served by this company, which buys, sells and exchanges technology and entertainment products. Complete Entertainment Exchange — or CeX — began as a shop off London’s Tottenham Court Road in 1992, and now has 590 stores, including franchises, across 10 countries. It also owns the e-commerce site webuy.com. Managing director David Mullins, 49, heads the business.

197 ReconomySales £146.0m U 20% Profit £11.4m U 27%

This Telford group manages 1.5m movements of waste every year, handling materials such as plasterboard, aggregates, concrete, food packaging, and confidential and hazardous waste. It also offers skips, equipment hire and waste-management services to customers that include Taylor Wimpey, the National Trust and Balfour Beatty. In 2017, EMK Capital acquired a controlling stake for an undisclosed sum. Paul Cox, 51, is managing director.

198 Batt CablesSales £145.7m U 3% Profit £6.9m U 22%

This Kent-based business claims to be the oldest surviving cable distributor in Britain. It supplies electrical cables and accessories to the energy, marine and telecoms industries. Managing director Peter Holm, 61, has overseen a plan to reduce high inventory levels, freeing up more than £13m of working capital to invest in new opportunities. This initiative helped profits rise 22% to £6.9m in 2018. As we went to press, the group reported sales of £148.2m for 2019.

199 Hall & PicklesSales £145.5m U 10% Profit £3.5m V 4%

This Cheshire stockholder and distributor of steel products has been around for more than 200 years. Its current iteration formed in 1996, when two divisions were spun out of Hall Engineering. It now has seven centres in the UK, processing more than 200,000 tons of steel a year. Managing director Matt Hall, 52, is the seventh generation of his family to lead the firm.

200 Matchroom Sport

Sales £145.0m U 9% Profit £30.0m U 79% Essex-based Matchroom Sport produces more than 2,500 hours of original footage every year, staging, promoting and televising events across 11 sports. Set up in 1982 by chairman Barry Hearn, 71, it was originally involved in snooker event management but has diversified its coverage to include golf, fishing and gymnastics. Recent growth has been fuelled by the success of Matchroom Boxing, with a stable headed by former and current world champions Anthony Joshua, Callum Smith and Katie Taylor, helping to grow profits 79% to £30m. Barry’s son, Eddie Hearn, 40, heads the group as managing director.

201 OktraSales £143.9m U 26% Profit £10.6m U 64%

For almost 25 years, this business has been striving to improve workplace environments through the design and refurbishment of offices. Its clients include Adidas, Bosch, Rakuten, Gymshark and Photobox Group. Oktra has also partnered with WeWork to deliver more than 2m sq ft of shared office space. Chief executive Pete Dalzell, 54, is leading the group’s regional expansion with offices recently opened in Stafford and Guildford in Surrey.

202 The Access GroupSales £143.1m U 42% Profit £6.9m na%

More than 20,000 UK businesses and not-for-profit organisations use this firm’s business management software for functions including finance, HR and recruitment. The London firm can host the software for its customers, which include Hamleys, Blenheim Palace and Cineworld. Led by chief executive Chris Bayne, 48, it secured an undisclosed investment from HgCapital last year in a deal that valued the company at £1bn. Existing investor TA Associates retained its majority stake. Sales grew to £143.1m in 2018, when it turned from making a loss to a profit of £6.9m. In the past 12 months the company has completed nine acquisitions.

203 Walters GroupSales £141.2m U 27% Profit £33.7m U 152%

Established in 1982 as a plant hire and civil engineering business, this group’s diverse activities now include property development, demolition and civil engineering. The group also owns Walters Arena, a 4,000-acre former opencast coal mine, which has been transformed to host stages of the World Rally Championship and now contains a wind and solar farm. The Glamorgan group is led by Huw Richards, 53.

204 Ralawise.comSales £141.1m U 15% Profit £10.3m U 15%

Launched in 1978 as a T-shirt printer in the kitchen of the founders’ family home, Ralawise now supplies clothing to companies, retailers and consumers. The Flintshire-based group stocks more than 4,700 products from 135-plus brands, such as Adidas and Nike, and sells to 60 countries via its website. The group is led by twins and joint managing directors Jonathan and Jeff Batson, 55.

205 Millbrook GroupSales £140.8m U 23% Profit £6.9m V4%

This Hampshire business was founded in 1946 as a re-upholsterer before moving into the manufacture of beds and mattresses, which it supplies to retailers, hotel groups and other large institutes. The diversified group also provides painting services and operates in healthcare, servicing wheelchairs and supplying daily living aids to councils and primary care trusts. The business was acquired by Cairngorm Capital in July for an undisclosed sum and is led by chief executive Phillip Campling, 45.

206 Brighton & Hove Albion FC Sales £139.4m U 377% Profit £30.7m na%

Nicknamed the Seagulls, this East Sussex club saw sales leap fourfold last year to £139.4m, driven mainly by broadcasting income, which it increased from £7.7m to £110.3m. The team reached an FA Cup semi-final and finished 17th in the league, ensuring a third successive season of top-flight football. It is owned by chairman Tony Bloom, 49.

207 CLC GroupSales £138.6m U 6% Profit £11.1m U 6%

CLC began life in Southampton in 1969 as a painting contractor, but has grown into a national property maintenance provider with 14 bases across Britain. It specialises in the refurbishment of occupied properties such as universities, schools, hospitals and hotels. Managing director Nick Hilton, 58, led a management buyout in 2016, backed by Lloyds Bank.

208 Saxton 4X4Sales £138.0 U 9% Profit £6.6m U 122%

This family-owned business sells premium 4x4 vehicles such as Land Rovers, Porsches and BMWs. Some are modified by styling specialists Overfinch, Kahn and Urban to have exclusive features such as matt, crushed carbon-effect paintwork. It was founded in 2009 by managing director Alan Austin, 69, and says it has grown to become the largest 4x4 dealer in Europe. Profits in 2019 more than doubled to £6.6m.

209 EuromonitorSales £137.4m U 12% Profit £29.7m U 32%

London-based Euromonitor provides market analysis, demographic and socio-economic research to help organisations plan marketing strategies. Customers range from the blue-chip companies to government agencies. The business has analysts in more than 100 countries and 15 overseas offices. It is led by its co-founders, executive chairman Trevor Fenwick, 65, and director Robert Senior, 67.

210 AJN SteelstockSales £136.8m U 16% Profit £5.0m U 1%

The firm holds more than 35,000 tons of steel at two sites, in Kentford in Suffolk and Henstridge, Somerset. Its 24-hour processing and finishing operations include shot blasting, computer-controlled drilling and plasma cutting. Its steelwork has been used to create structures ranging from an Aston Martin factory and Abbey Road’s Dolby Atmos studio to Google and YouTube’s London headquarters, Heathrow’s Terminal 5 and the Tate Modern. The business is run by Alan and Neil Boyden, 53 and 49, sons of co-founder John Boyden.

211 Welding AlloysSales £136.6m V 2% Profit £5.6m U 28%

Founded in 1966 by Dr Jan Stekly, Welding Alloys provides welding consumables, automated welding equipment and equipment for wear protection in 150 countries through a network of 30 subsidiaries. Based in Hertfordshire, the business is run by the founder’s son, chief executive Dominic Stekly, 44.

212 O’Connor UtilitiesSales £136.0m U 14% Profit £10.7m U 21%

This family firm provides utility services,including repairing power lines, laying water and gas pipes, and installing fibre-optic cable. Current projects include an

underground pipeline at Cork harbour estuary as part of a €144m (£129m) drainage project aimed at reducing pollution. The Manchester-based business is led by founders and brothers Tim and Tom O’Connor, 59 and 57.

213 ENDSales £134.7m U 33% Profit £27.0m U 17%

Founded in 2005 by university friends John Parker, 37, and Christiaan Ashworth, 37, END has grown from a shop in Newcastle to a global online retailer. It ships 6,000 products a day worldwide and stocks more than 400 brands and designers, such as Comme des Garcons and Alexander McQueen, helping sales hit £134.7m in 2019 — up a third on the previous year. It is backed by private equity firm Index Ventures, which bought a minority stake for an undisclosed sum in 2014.

214 O’SheaSales £133.4m U 8% Profit £22.0m U 41%

Founded more than 50 years ago by chairman Crohan O’Shea, 81, this construction business builds high-rise and luxury residential properties across London and southeast England. Recent projects have included The Stage — a £750m development complete with shops, restaurants, offices and a 200-seat amphitheatre in Shoreditch, east London. Managing director Rory O’Connor, 60, oversaw a £130m contract in January to work with Galliard to build 260 flats in Vauxhall, south London.

215 Watling JCBSales £133.1m U 12% Profit £4.5m U 7%

Founded in 1976, this Leicestershire firm sells new and used JCB machinery. Managing director Richard Telfer, 50, acquired a new £1.2m industrial site and warehouse in Peterborough last year to support the company’s expansion, and in December, the business landed its biggest-ever order — a £7m deal from Travis Perkins for 500 machines.

216 Riverside Motor GroupSales £132.9m U 21% Profit £3.0m U 32%

This Yorkshire-based car retailer is authorised to sell Volvo, Seat and Mitsubishi vehicles from its seven dealerships in the region. Turnover in the year grew by 21% to reach £132.9m — bolstered by the acquisition of a new dealership in Wakefield for an undisclosed sum. The firm is led by managing director Mark Denton, 56.

217 Renaker BuildSales £132.8m U 37% Profit £4.7m U 29%

Founded in 2006, this Manchester-basedconstruction company has grown rapidly to record revenue of £132.8m in 2018 — up 37% on the previous year. Much of the growth has been fuelled by the first-time buyers, with the business now building more than 2,900 homes a year. Under the leadership of managing director Daren Whitaker, 47, recent projects have included the construction of the tallest buildings in both Salford and central Manchester.

218 Bewley HomesSales £132.5m U 13% Profit £17.5m U 29%

Bewley Homes designed and built 354 homes last year across Berkshire, Hampshire, Oxfordshire and Surrey, ranging in price from £200,000 to £2m. Since securing a £55m funding facility from Lloyds Banking Group in 2017, the business has invested in its infrastructure and aims to exceed sales of more than £150m. Based in Tadley, Hampshire, the company is led by managing director Andrew Brooks, 48.

219 Scan Computers InternationalSales £131.0m U 16% Profit £2.7m U 120%

Managing director Shailendra Raja, 55, founded this Bolton-based computer hardware retailer in 1987. It specialises in products for powerful computers in industries such as gaming and electronic music production, and has held a royal warrant since 2014. Profits more than doubled to hit £2.7m last year, which it attributes to growing demand for the high-end graphics cards used to “mine” cryptocurrencies.

220 Exponential-eSales £130.7m U 13% Profit £20.0m V 20%

The Ritz hotel and Virgin Atlantic are just two names on the 3,700 client list of this London-based network service provider. Set up in 2002 by chief executive Lee Wade, 61, it offers cloud, IT, security and data-centre services from its offices in London and Manchester. In 2019, sales rose 13% to £130.7m, driven by large contract wins with the NHS and the launch of new services.

221 NycommSales £130.4m U 8% Profit £4.6m U 10%

This Manchester business was founded by the late Julian Niman in 1985, following deregulation of the telecoms industry. The group supplies

communications equipment — including telephones, headsets and video conferencing systems — to businesses and resellers. In 2016, it acquired two-way radio specialist Pennine Group for an undisclosed sum — lifting profits 10% to £4.6m. On his death in 2018, Niman left the company in a trust to protect employees. The group is led by director David Bennett, 53.

222 Metaswitch NetworksSales £130.3m U 10% Profit £21.7m U 26%

Established in 1981 by former IBM software engineers, Metaswitch Networks provides telephony software products for use with voice, video and messaging applications. A third of its staff work on research and development, creating software that is used by more than 1,000 telecoms service providers, such as AT&T, BT and TalkTalk, as well as 80 mobile operators. The London-based company helps customers to reduce costs by transferring office-based telephony operations to the cloud.

223 Martin GroupSales £129.7m U 11% Profit £10.0m U 33%

Started more than 40 years ago as a fencing contractor by managing director Harold Martin, 84, the business has now diversified into traffic management, safety barriers, waste management and maintenance of vehicles and plant. From its 16 sites, it now deals with clients including Network Rail, Highways England and numerous local authorities. Current projects for the Derbyshire firm include the HS2 rail scheme and a recycling contract for Nuneaton borough council that aims to reuse 9,000 tons of waste annually.

224 2M HoldingsSales £128.9m U 20% Profit £6.3m U 7%

This diverse business operates under a range of different science-based brands and is involved in speciality chemical distribution to industries such as refineries, personal care, pharmaceuticals, precision cleaning and aviation services. Headquartered in Cheshire, the firm exports to 3,000 customers and has a presence in more than 90 countries, including China, Poland and Brazil. Founder and chairman Mottie Kessler, 64, led the acquisition of German distributor FrankenChemie in 2018, increasing its presence in the personal care, homecare

and food ingredients sectors. The group has set up a Stem outreach programme for young people.

225 Grosvenor Contracts LeasingSales £128.6m U 2% Profit £4.6m U 34%

Founded by chairman Brian Johnson, 74, in 1981, this Northamptonshire group operates five subsidiaries, involved in businesses ranging from vehicle hire and used car dealerships to interactive fleet management and residential property letting. It has also launched a dedicated service that advises companies on how to reduce the emissions of their fleets. Profits grew 34% to £4.6m in 2018, driven by strong end of hire leasing and used car sales.

226 MedivetSales £127.9m U 63% Profit £4.7m V 5%

Medivet runs more than 300 veterinary practices around Britain, all of which are co-owned and operated by veterinary partners. Of its centres, 18 are open round the clock every day of the year and offer emergency pet care. In 2017, the group raised minority investment from private equity firm Inflexion. The deal helped triple its rate of acquisition: in 2018, it added 83 new branches, boosting sales by 63% to £127.9m. The group was founded in 1986 by chief executive Arnold Levy, 59.

227 Elta GroupSales £127.8m U 5% Profit £5.9m U 71%

The West Midlands-based Elta Group designs and manufactures fans and other equipment used to move air. It was founded in 1996, when the UK-based Elta Fans and South African firm AMS were bought out of Air Movement Group. Since then, the business has made a series of acquisitions and today it comprises 19 companies operating in seven countries across Europe, Africa, Australasia and Asia. Chairman David Ball, 52, led the group’s expansion into India last year, and oversaw sales of £127.8m in 2019.

228 Castell Howell FoodsSales £126.9m U 10% Profit £3.7m V 6%

Carmarthenshire-based food wholesaler Castell Howell was founded in 1988 by managing director Brian Jones, 72, from his family farm. The business specialises in Welsh products and its fleet transports a range of ambient, chilled and frozen products across Wales and southwest England. It also operates a cash-and-carry outlet in Carmarthen, which offers its full product range as well as beers, wines and spirits.

229 FNZSales £126.8m U 18% Profit £13.8m V 38%

This Edinburgh-based fintech unicorn helps private investors bring down the cost of managing their assets — it administers £400bn of funds from 7m customers globally. The group was valued at £1.65bn last October, when investment firms CDPQ and Generation Investment Management acquired a two-thirds majority stake. The remaining third is owned by 400 of its employees. The company is ranked on its 2018 UK sales of £126.8m, and its group sales were £150m. It is led by founder and chief executive Adrian Durham, 46.

230 Cormar CarpetsSales £126.6m U 6% Profit £6.5m U 16%

While most of the carpets sold in Britain are imported, this family business still makes its products at its two Lancashire mills. Founded in 1956, Cormar is looking to expand, and opened a new distribution centre in Hemel Hempstead last year, helping annualised sales rise 6% to £126.6m. In December, Tim Eagles, 50, joined from Stannah as chief executive.

231 BVG GroupSales £126.6m U 10% Profit £5.1m V 24%

Based in south Wales, BVG sells more than 20,000 consumer products, including clothing, household goods and fishing tackle. It is a multichannel retailer selling online, wholesale, and through consumer catalogues and newspaper reader offers. Each year it distributes 20m mail-order catalogues and attracts 30m visits to its websites. The group is led by chief executive Iain Burgess, 47, and backed by BGF, which invested £10m for a minority stake in 2015.

Company Activity HQ location Year end Sales, £m Operating profit, £m Staff Founded

Blu-3 Infrastucture and multi-utilities provider Kent Mar 18 106 10 115 2001

Engineering projects include Battersea Power Station and the London Olympic Park, and it is helping build a €225m data centre in Dublin powered by renewable energy; profits grew 86% to £9.9m in 2018

BrewDog Brewery Aberdeenshire Dec 18 172 1 1,247 2007

Has opened nearly 60 bars in locations as far afield as Brazil and Japan, with turnover in its latest half year rising 55% to £78m; was valued at £1bn in 2017 when it sold a stake to US private equity firm TSG

Cult Beauty Online beauty retailer Central London Mar 19 *89 *2 140 2008

Frustrated with wasting money on poor products, the co-founders launched this website to sell only cosmetics that had passed a rigorous selection process; strong exports helped sales hit £88m in 2019

Darktrace Cyber-security developer Cambridge Jun 18 59 n/a 599 2013

Develops software that detects and counters cyber-security threats for customers such as Ocado, T-Mobile, and the Church of England; reportedly valued at $1.65bn, with sales expected to exceed £100m in 2019

Farol Agricultural machinery supplier Oxfordshire Jan 19 98 4 231 1973

Family owned since 1976, the Oxfordshire-based firm operates from six outlets, selling a wide range of agricultural and garden machinery from ride-on lawnmowever to rubber boots, pushing 2019 sales to £97.7m

Nexus Vehicle Rental Vehicle rental broker Leeds Sept 18 84 9 139 2000

Its network of 550,000 hire cars, 100,000 vans and 50,000 HGVs services business customers across the UK, including Specsavers and Iceland; sales grew 43% to £84.1m in 2018, with profits up 63% to £8.7m

Revolution Beauty Beauty products retailer Kent Dec 18 113 16 139 2000

Its affordable and cruelty-free beauty products are a hit online and on shelves from American to Austrialia; sales at the Kent firm grew 58% to £112.6m in 2018, buoyed by endorsements from social media stars

Thatchers Cider producer Somerset Aug 18 101 9 252 1904

The cider maker was founded more than a century ago and now exports to 22 countries, helping sales break the £100m milestone for the first time in 2018, with profits up 155% to £9.4m

The Kay Group Forecourt fuel retailer Blackburn Oct 18 111 4 266 2016

The firm opened the world’s first Greggs drive-thru and runs Costa Coffee and Subway stores across its network of petrol stations, boosting sales 13% to £110.9m last year under founder Ken Kay, 73

William Davis Housebuilder Leicestershire May 19 *115 *18 470 1935

With 15 live developments, it is on course to build 460 homes across the Midlands in 2019, helping grow sales 27% to £115m, and profits by a quarter to £18m under managing director Guy Higgins, 57

* Supplied by company

Showcased below are 10 private mid-market growth companies from a variety of industries that did not meet the financial criteria to rank in this year’s Top Track 250 league table, but whose sustained growth or plans for the future merit recognition

Chemicals distributor Surfachem is just one of the brands owned by 2M Holdings (No 224), which is based in Cheshire but has a presence in more than 90 countries

ALEX SEGRE

ONES TO WATCH: 10 RISING COMPANIES

Payment services provider

10 The Sunday Times October 6, 2019

Waste management company Grundon (No 245) last year launched a recycling service for paper cups

232 Smith Brothers (Leicester)Sales £124.5m U 10% Profit £10.5m U 4%

Founded in 1897, this company distributes pipework, valves, air conditioning and associated fittings through its network of 15 depots across England and Wales. Other group companies include Air Plants, which supplies dust-extraction systems, and Talbott’s, which supplies wood-fired heaters and biomass boilers.The family-owned business counts fifth-generation family members among its workforce. The group is chaired by Christopher Smith, 61.

233 Odgers BerndtsonSales £124.5m U 18% Profit £31.0m U 28%

With 61 offices across 29 countries, this recruitment consultancy helps hire global executives in the financial services, industrial and technology sectors. Led by chief executive Kester Scrope, 49, the London company celebrated its 50th anniversary earlier this year and operates under brands such as Berwick Partners and Odgers Interim. It achieved sales growth of 18% to £124.5m last year, driven by success in Australia and Singapore.

234 Beaverbrooks the JewellersSales £124.2m U 4% Profit £13.4m U 9%

Founded by three brothers selling silverware from a suitcase on the streets of Belfast, this year the jewellers celebrated its centenary. Now based in Lancashire, the firm’s investment in refurbishing its 71 stores and a greater focus on luxury watch brands have led to profits increasing by 9% to reach £13.4m. Mark Adlestone, 60, is chairman of the third-generation family-owned business and Anna Blackburn, 44, is managing director.

235 Shorterm GroupSales £124.1m U 17% Profit £4.6m U 21%

This West Drayton company recruits 6,000 technical and engineering staff every year, placing them in positions at companies such as British Airways and Jaguar Land Rover. In 2016, chief executive Steve Gallucci, 50, led a buyout backed by Growth Capital Partners, which acquired a majority stake. As we went to press, the group reported sales of £140m for 2018.

236 G1 GroupSales £123.6m U 69% Profit £12.6m U 28%

This hospitality and leisure group operates more than 50 venues across Scotland, including nightclubs, restaurants, cinemas, a casino and what’s claimed to be Scotland’s smallest pub. The Glasgow-based business grew sales in the year by 69% to £123.6m, helped by business from the five-star Scotsman Hotel in Edinburgh, which it purchased in 2017.

Under managing director and founder Stefan King, 56, the group plans to transform a 115-year-old Aberdeen church into a five-storey restaurant.

237 Burgess FarmsSales £120.9m V 2% Profit £6.5m U 64%

In 1898, Harry and Percy Burgess began growing vegetables in the Peterborough Fens and running a fruit and vegetable shop in London. William Burgess, 50, a fourth generation member of the family, is now chairman and chief executive. The group specialises in growing potatoes, onions and carrots and includes an organic farming division under two brands, Nature’s Premium and Neat Organic.

238 Ground ControlSales £120.3m U 2% Profit £10.1m U 36%

This company provides design, landscaping and maintenance services for the commercial sector, with clients including Sainsbury’s, Tesco and Travelodge. Based in Essex, it is led by chief executive Simon Morrish, 44. After a two-year project, in May, the company unveiled its Children’s Garden at the Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew. It has also launched a lease hire option for the supply and installation of ChargePoint units for electric vehicles.

239 Iqbal PoultrySales £119.7m U 59% Profit £4.1m U 63%

This Doncaster firm processes 1.2m birds a week, supplying halal chicken to grocery stores and small supermarkets around Britain. The group is led by brothers Mohamed Fayez Ahmed, 60, and Nadeem Iqbal, 47 — their father and two uncles established the business in 1972, initially as a groceries supplier but moving into chicken in 1999. In October last year, it struck a deal to rescue Banham Poultry from administration, saving 1,000 jobs in Norfolk.

240 GMI Construction GroupSales £119.3m U 88% Profit £3.7m 0 0%

This Leeds construction contractor takeson large commercial contracts predominantly in the north of England. This summer it completed the 137-bedroom Dakota Hotel in Manchester. Current projects include the residential conversion of Manchester’s Excelsior Mill printing works, and the development of a hose factory in Huddersfield. It also owns Duchy Homes, a luxury housebuilder with developments in the Midlands and north England. It is led by co-founder and chairman Andy Kemp, 69.

241 ClearwaySales £118.9m U 46% Profit £16.1m U 76%

Established in 1964 as a waste management and scrappage business, Clearway has since expanded to include

metal recycling services. The family-owned firm has facilities in Portadown, Belfast, Londonderry and also the Republic of Ireland. It has grown through several acquisitions including Clearway Metal Recyclers, Ireland’s largest scrap metal exporter. Led by managing director Vincent Boyle, 66, it counts international steel makers and engineering firms among its customers.

242 Wing YipSales £118.8m U 8% Profit £4.1m U 19%

Established in 1970 by Woon Wing Yip, 81, and his brothers, Wing Yip supplies more than 4,000 lines of food, drink and household goods from the Far East and Asia through its cash and carry stores in Birmingham, Manchester and the London districts of Croydon and Cricklewood, which are open to the public, as well as online. The company supplies individual customers looking for authentic oriental food as well as businesses. Its head office and national distribution hub are in Birmingham.

243 GCH CorporationSales £118.8m U 2% Profit ‡£9.4m U 6%

This group consists of nine businesses involved in industrial manufacturing and distribution. They include Unitruck, which makes rear-view mirrors, and Stackright, which builds steel storage units. It also owns Lightbulbs Direct and Dent Steel. Founded by chief executive Cassie Hutchings, 36, in 2010 with backing from her father — former Tomkins plc chairman Greg Hutchings, 72 — it is actively seeking new acquisitions and serves customers across Europe.

244 Cory Riverside EnergySales £118.2m V 7% Profit £37.3m U 7%

This London firm transports 700 kilotonnes of waste on its fleet of barges and helps convert it into electricity. Founded in 1896, it has its largest facility at Belvedere, which generates 525,000 megawatt hours of electricity each year, powering 160,000 homes. Last year Cory was acquired by a

consortium of infrastructure investors for an undisclosed sum.

245 GrundonSales £118.2m U 3% Profit £5.9m U 46%

Led by chairman Norman Grundon, 77, this Oxfordshire-based company provides waste management services for local councils and other customers — including Heathrow airport, the Silverstone race track and several NHS trusts. It handles all types of waste, recovering valuable resources for recycling and energy generation. Last year the business opened a bulk recycling centre and launched a service for recycling paper cups — aiming to tackle some of the 2.5bn that are discarded in Britain every year.

246 Victorian PlumbingSales £118.1m U 17% Profit £3.5m U 6%

This online bathroom retailer is based in Merseyside. It was founded in 2000 by managing director Mark Radcliffe, 40, from his parents’ garden shed. The

company now boasts stock of more than 10,000 items and has more than 1m customers. The company invests heavily in television advertising and this year sponsored ITV’s Ninja Warrior UK, providing animated idents for the series, voiced by the interior designer Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen.

247 ThriftySales £116.1m U 12% Profit £29.5m V 4%

Chairman Nigel Spokes, 58, took a controlling interest in this car rental company in 1999 and it has remained family-owned ever since. Operating under both the Dollar and Thrifty brands it hires out self-drive private and commercial vehicles from more than 1,300 locations across 99 countries. It has headquarters in Exeter and 110 locations in the UK. Last year’s sales were £116.1m, and although rising vehicle costs and new outlets meant profits dipped by 4%, it still made a £29.5m profit.

248 BJSSSales £116.0m U 39% Profit £26.5m U 36%

This Leeds-based IT consultancy has added public sector customers such as the Home Office and Disclosure Scotland to its traditional customer base in the financial and energy sectors. Chairman Glynn Robinson, 55, opened offices in Glasgow and Edinburgh in 2017 and is leading the group’s expansion in America — he opened an office in Houston, Texas, in April last year. Expansion helped lift sales 39% to £116m in 2018.

249 Ptarmigan MediaSales £115.9m U 40% Profit £3.6m U 50%

Financial institutions Barclays, Nomura and JP Morgan are among this London company’s blue-chip customers. The business was founded in 1993 by David Wiggin, 59, and specialises in media planning and buying for the financial sector. It has a significant overseas presence with offices in Hong Kong, Singapore, Sydney and New York. A strong performance in America helped boost profits 50% to £3.6m.

250 VetpartnersSales £115.7m U 116% Profit £3.7m U 33%

This York-based veterinary group has been acquiring about 80 clinics a year since its formation in 2015. It has now amassed some 350, and last year sales more than doubled to £115.7m, with profits up a third to £3.7m. The group provides centralised services such as finance and IT, freeing up vets to focus on animal treatments and make high-value referrals to other owned practices. Chief executive Jo Malone, 44, led a buyout in 2018 backed by private equity firm BC Partners, which acquired the group for £720m.