Rank | Company | Location | Year end | Annual sales rise over 3 years | Latest sales £000s | Staff | Comment |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | DataworkforceTelecoms recruitment agency | SE London | 2000 | 291.01% | 39,304 | 54 | Former army engineers build telecoms networks all over the world |
2 | SkyNet SystemsIT systems integrator | Oxfordshire | 2000 | 220.24% | 10,421 | 10 | Former scampi factory worker builds £10m IT sales business |
3 | United Foods InternationalFruit juice maker | Surrey | 2000 | 185.69% | 17,962 | 93 | Serial entrepreneur sells bakery business to start up in organic fruit juice |
4 | Victoria RealInteractive media producer | Brighton | 2000 | 183.22% | 6,662 | 80 | Designed Big Brother's website, which reported 745m hits in 10 weeks |
5 | PRORecruitment agency | Central London | 2000 | 182.96% | 8,336 | 69 | Head of New York office promoted from trainee to director in four years |
6 | ICRManagement consultancy | West Yorkshire | 2000 | 180.91% | 12,735 | 16 | College dropout now solves IT problems for NTL and Thomson Holidays |
7 | Cramer SystemsTelecoms software developer | Bath | 2000 | 168.65% | 6,219 | 131 | Spends 25% of sales on R&D to simplify telecoms technology |
8 | UCCL InternationalBranded sportswear wholesaler | Manchester | 2000 | 165.31% | 10,912 | 41 | Former Liverpool market-stall trader makes sportswear for Asda |
9 | Healthcare at HomeHome healthcare provider | Burton upon Trent | 2000 | 161.45% | 30,543 | 115 | Specialist nurses care for 3,000 patients in their own homes |
10 | WestcoAir conditioning contractor | East London | 2000 | 156.85% | 6,998 | 100 | Manufacturer funds start-up by co-operating with cash-rich competitor |
11 | Tidalwave TechnologyMarketing agency | SW London | 2000 | 155.51% | 5,257 | 45 | Provides marketing services to giants such as Microsoft and Cisco |
12 | The Manor Cabinet CompanyKitchen maker | Swindon | 2000 | 148.53% | 3,848 | 63 | Combines computers and carpentry to make kitchens for new homes |
13 | ION ITSoftware developer | High Wycombe | 2000 | 146.65% | 5,375 | 80 | Founders met investors in Heathrow departure lounge |
14 | LMRRecruitment agency | Northamptonshire | 2000 | 141.94% | 6,872 | 33 | Supplies forklift-truck drivers and warehouse workers across northeast |
15 | Rocky Mountain TradersCD label maker | Essex | 2000 | 139.78% | 5,385 | 23 | Maths professor builds £5m business designing CD-label applicator |
16 | GoJobsiteInternet recruitment publisher | Hampshire | 2000 | 138.41% | †6926 | 140 | Claims to receive 50,000 visitors a day to its website |
17 | Oyster PartnersDigital media agency | Central London | 2000 | 135.94% | 10,482 | 137 | Company had to cut staff from 220 to 140 this year |
18 | Corpack IndustriesPackaging manufacturer | Cheshire | 2000 | 135.91% | 34,609 | 486 | Packaging company built up through 10 acquisitions |
19 | Gainsborough GroupServiced office provider | Central London | 2000 | 134.67% | 3,770 | 19 | Central London serviced offices offer on-site IT support |
20 | ECI Human CapitalRecruitment agency | Central London | 2000 | 132.10% | 13,949 | 80 | Headhunts executives in £70,000-£200,000 salary bracket |
21 | Premiere ConsultantsSports marketing consultancy | Central London | 2000 | 130.47% | †6031 | 14 | Sells sponsorship rights for Manchester United and Real Madrid |
22 | BluewaveWebsite designer | Central London | 2000 | 130.20% | 3,591 | 61 | Sold 51% stake to Danish giant Maersk in November 2001 |
23 | Sun ManagementTelecoms services manager | Gloucestershire | 2000 | 129.43% | 6,943 | 17 | Idea for company came out of London Business School MBA |
24 | Near BackMusic manager | Glasgow | 2000 | 123.96% | 5,663 | 10 | Lead singer runs pop band Texas and is Scotland's best-paid director |
25 | Exchange DirectForeign exchange provider | Central London | 2000 | 120.08% | 5,209 | 350 | The company ceased trading in December 2001 following allegations of financial irregularities |
26 | International Movements GroupInternational freight forwarder | Middlesex | 2000 | 118.39% | 4,274 | 12 | Transports food and medical aid to Mozambique and Uganda |
27 | Roadside GroupPetrol station operator | Buckinghamshire | 2000 | 115.41% | 9,033 | 24 | African road builder and oil executive run petrol stations that sell alcohol |
28 | Environmental Waste ControlsCompact waste disposer | Cheshire | 2000 | 115.22% | 3,077 | 46 | Company founded by ex-merchant seaman halves corporate-waste bill |
29 | Just DeliContract caterer | Berkshire | 2000 | 113.34% | 3,241 | 85 | Provides bistro-style catering for ITN, Fujitsu and Marconi |
30 | 1st SoftwareIFA software developer | Warwick | 2000 | 111.61% | 3,340 | 38 | Provides software to 20% of independent financial advisers |
31 | Stanton Interior SolutionsOffice refurbishment contractor | NW London | 2000 | 110.24% | 7,684 | 25 | Founded by Asian who uses Gujarati contacts to employ top carpenters |
32 | SyscapComputer-equipment lessor | SW London | 2000 | 110.06% | 48,714 | 138 | Started in attic and is now preferred rental partner for IBM and HP |
33 | Netwise SystemsComputer network integrator | Surrey | 2000 | 107.53% | 7,400 | 12 | Football injury inspires salesman to start computer networking business |
34 | ICMCleaning contractor | Hampshire | 2000 | 107.37% | 4,783 | 1,023 | Buses in cleaners at 4am to ensure cinema is cleaned out of hours |
35 | Paradise ComputersComputer hardware reseller | Hertfordshire | 2000 | 107.15% | 22,954 | 43 | Founder started business in garden shed and still works in warehouse |
36 | Encore DirectEnvelope maker | North Yorkshire | 2000 | 106.28% | 11,423 | 105 | Produces 10m printed envelopes a week for clients such as Tesco |
37 | Pin Mill TextilesTextile importer | Manchester | 2000 | 104.84% | 8,109 | 14 | Claims to be selling textiles 30% cheaper than 20 years ago |
38 | PSA SparesPrinter spares distributor | SW London | 2000 | 104.09% | 3,057 | 17 | Father and son copied French business to set up own company |
39 | Hazell CarrActuarial services provider | Oxfordshire | 2000 | 104.05% | 45,231 | 99 | Business boomed after sorting out pension mis-selling scandal in 1990s |
40 | HotelConnectHotel reservation agency | NW London | 2000 | 103.34% | 6,199 | 30 | Birth of low-cost airlines helps hotel booker get off the ground |
41 | Connect Support ServicesIT services provider | East London | 2000 | 101.70% | 3,100 | 64 | Helps run Barclays' IT help desk |
42 | Hopkins HomesHousebuilder | Suffolk | 2000 | 101.14% | 22,307 | 38 | Helps regenerate brownfield sites of city centres in East Anglia |
43 | Music BoxMusic retailer | Essex | 2000 | 98.25% | 8,683 | 70 | Company went into liquidation in April 2002 |
44 | IT PartnershipsComputer reseller | Reading | 2000 | 98.24% | 14,026 | 36 | Staff rewarded with all-expenses-paid trip to Marbella |
45 | AlchemetricsMarketing database developer | Berkshire | 2000 | 98.08% | 3,378 | 55 | Runs large databases with up to 60m names |
46 | Claim Control ConsultantsInsurance claim processor | Walsall | 2000 | 96.05% | 12,518 | 35 | Replaces stolen and damaged computers for insurance companies |
47 | Mitek GroupComputer component distributor | Staffordshire | 2000 | 95.93% | 7,204 | 19 | Financed expansion with £2m credit facility from IBM |
48 | Eaton SecuritiesCar park operator | SE London | 2000 | 94.52% | 5,011 | 48 | London car parks offer overnight dry cleaning, umbrellas and scooters |
49 | EiseneggerClothes retailer | Blackpool | 2000 | 93.49% | 24,137 | 364 | Husband and wife have shops at opposite ends of Oxford Street |
50 | MonexRoad haulier | Gwent | 2000 | 92.82% | 4,445 | 21 | Son follows father to set up his own road-haulage business |
51 | Alternative NetworksTelecoms systems integrator | SW London | 2000 | 92.02% | 11,737 | 81 | Regional office is based in grounds of Lancashire County Cricket Club |
52 | Talbot DesignCar dealership builder | Aldershot | 2000 | 91.62% | 10,163 | 35 | Building firm expanded into car showrooms during housing recession |
53 | ArtigianoMail order retailer | Isle of Wight | 2000 | 90.93% | 6,811 | 31 | Oxford graduate and international rower now sell Italian clothes |
54 | DarlingtonsHaulage contractor | Merseyside | 2000 | 90.73% | 4,706 | 50 | Pre-war family haulage business diversifies into paper distribution |
55 | Partners for ChangeIT consultancy | Middlesex | 2000 | 90.68% | 9,393 | 43 | Runs joint venture advising companies on eco-friendly strategies |
56 | Catering AllianceContract caterer | Warwickshire | 2000 | 88.48% | 16,574 | 1,224 | Recently won £3m contract to run staff restaurants for Argos |
57 | Caspian PublishingPublisher, conference organiser | Central London | 2000 | 88.43% | 4,111 | 33 | Founders left Institute of Directors to set up rival publisher |
58 | Engineering Staff SolutionsRecruitment agency | SW London | 2000 | 88.35% | 11,518 | 30 | Founder sold his Ferrari to start engineering recruitment company |
59 | Redfern International LogisticsFreight forwarder | Leeds | 2000 | 88.23% | 6,038 | 16 | Former P&O employee remortgages home to start logistics company |
60 | Square One ResourcesIT recruitment agency | Central London | 2000 | 87.12% | 16,270 | 30 | Training includes motivation sessions with same speakers used by many top football clubs |
61 | EskandarFashion designer | Central London | 2000 | 86.84% | 6,073 | 16 | Adapted ancient tribal dress design for Lauren Bacall and Diana Ross |
62 | WA DevelopmentsRail engineering contractor | Cumbria | 2000 | 85.92% | 4,078 | 50 | Railway engineers were on site of coal train derailment within two hours |
63 | Telecom Service CentresCall-centre operator | Isle of Bute | 2000 | 85.84% | 15,171 | 904 | Biggest firm on Isle of Bute helps cut unemployment from 17% to 7% |
64 | PAV Data SystemsWireless technology developer | Cumbria | 2000 | 84.27% | 4,156 | 46 | Fixed New York phone transmitters within two weeks of terrorist attack |
65 | RDF MediaTV programme maker | West London | 2000 | 84.19% | 10,051 | 77 | Created TV hits Scrapheap Challenge, Banzai and Faking It |
66 | VanguardMobile-phone supplier | Rhyl | 2000 | 83.86% | 50,323 | 144 | Systems track vehicles via SIM cards in drivers' mobile phones |
67 | Apex ContractorsBuilding contractor | Kent | 2000 | 83.52% | 5,441 | 143 | Founder rises from near banktruptcy to set up construction business |
68 | Churchill Retirement LivingHousebuilder | Hampshire | 2000 | 82.49% | 5,788 | 22 | Brothers build hamlets in West Country for stressed London executives |
69 | Evolution ConsultingIT strategy consultancy | Central London | 2000 | 81.57% | 4,558 | 75 | Founders claim their company has never advertised for business |
70 | Premier MovesRelocation service provider | North London | 2000 | 81.48% | 5,706 | 80 | Moved 13,000 bits of kit and 1,700 staff to Pfizer's new laboratory |
71 | Clean CharmCleaning contractor | Essex | 2000 | 80.09% | 3,559 | 370 | Removes graffiti for London Underground and Ealing council |
72 | the houseMarketing agency | Cheshire | 2000 | 79.99% | 5,874 | 35 | Launched street theatre across Britain for Malibu marketing campaign |
73 | Start CreativeGraphic design agency | Central London | 2000 | 79.31% | 4,828 | 25 | Former art-college mates helped brand Virgin Cola and Virgin Atlantic |
74 | BravissimoLingerie retailer | Leamington Spa | 2000 | 76.83% | 4,221 | 25 | Set up when pregnant founder could not find D to J bra cup sizes |
75 | Concept TelecomTelecoms services provider | Nottingham | 2000 | 76.56% | 6,537 | 18 | Telecoms recruitment agency beats downturn with product-testing arm |
76 | Blitz GamesComputer games developer | Warwickshire | 2000 | 76.45% | 3,758 | 86 | Twins who started in bedroom write games for Microsoft and Disney |
77 | Drive AssistCar lessor | Tamworth | 2000 | 76.01% | †68,204 | 180 | Former top company provides accident victims with free rental cars |
78 | Chem-Dry UKInsurance claim manager | East Yorkshire | 2000 | 75.23% | 18,327 | 98 | Received 3,000 calls in the wake of last year's floods |
79 | The Trading ForceDefence equipment supplier | SW London | 2000 | 74.89% | 8,182 | 21 | Company went into receivership in April 2002 |
80 | GCS Recruitment SpecialistsIT recruitment consultancy | Reading | 2000 | 73.71% | 11,639 | 32 | Teenage gambler joins former colleague to start recruitment agency |
81 | Sidcup Auto CentreCar dealer | Kent | 2000 | 73.40% | 3,964 | 14 | Brothers-in-law sell 500 Skodas a year in Sidcup |
82 | EXiTelecoms services provider | Cheshire | 2000 | 72.80% | 38,721 | 715 | Employs 1,500 engineers from Manchester to Kuala Lumpur |
83 | The Enterprise DepartmentMail order retailer | Hertfordshire | 2000 | 72.61% | 5,926 | 42 | Runs reader offers for the Glasgow Herald and OK! magazine |
84 | Taylor Construction PlantPlant hirer | Essex | 2000 | 72.31% | 3,877 | 27 | Plant-hire company diversifies into making its own mini skips |
85 | JobserveInternet recruitment publisher | Essex | 2000 | 72.25% | 13,069 | 47 | Publishes 8,500 job vacancies a day across 8 sectors on its websites |
86 | NetKonect CommunicationsInternet service provider | Hampshire | 2000 | 71.59% | 3,696 | 27 | Founded with £150,000 loan from a business angel |
87 | Direct GroupInsurance outsourcer | Doncaster | 2000 | 71.59% | 11,221 | 47 | Designs insurance packages for banks and other financial institutions |
88 | Cougar AutomationAutomation system installer | Hampshire | 2000 | 70.64% | 3,160 | 45 | DTI Benchmarking scheme helped triple sales growth |
89 | Upgrade OptionsComputer hardware reseller | Aldershot | 2000 | 70.57% | 3,985 | 22 | Founder of £4m business left Ireland at 19 with no qualifications |
90 | The Officers ClubDiscount clothing retailer | Northumberland | 2000 | 70.04% | 52,016 | 1,004 | Offers men's clothes at 70% discount to other high-street retailers |
91 | Responsive DesignsFlooring importer | Surrey | 2000 | 69.82% | 42,464 | 42 | Claims to import half of the laminated flooring sold in Britain each year |
92 | Antal InternationalRecruitment agency | Central London | 2000 | 69.60% | 19,130 | 289 | Closed World Trade Center office just six months before terrorist attacks |
93 | Mediacom NorthMedia buyer | Manchester | 2000 | 68.52% | 16,895 | 15 | Brokered deal between ITV's Heartbeat and Taylor's Yorkshire Tea |
94 | Geneva TechnologyBilling software developer | Cambridge | 2000 | 67.87% | 13,423 | 167 | Twelve employees became paper millionaires after company's merger |
95 | LexonPharmaceuticals distributor | Redditch | 2000 | 67.80% | 21,663 | 65 | Delivers drugs to chemists in West Midlands in 24 hours |
96 | Pets At HomePet products retailer | Cheshire | 2000 | 67.65% | †96,795 | 1,154 | Sells 3,000 hamsters a month through 143 stores nationwide |
97 | Travel CounsellorsTravel agency | Bolton | 2000 | 67.48% | 39,131 | 160 | Network of home-workers sells 92-day world cruises |
98 | Alpha Micro ComponentsElectronic component distributor | Basingstoke | 2000 | 67.00% | 4,913 | 14 | Won contract to supply electronic components for national lottery |
99 | Lightbody of HamiltonCelebration cake maker | Lanarkshire | 2000 | 66.81% | 15,289 | 356 | Fourth-generation bakers now make Pokemon and Harry Potter cakes |
100 | BellwaterTelecoms contractor | Surrey | 2000 | 65.49% | 93,009 | 190 | Builds 'internet hotels' for telecoms equipment in the Far East |
* Supplied by Company † Annualised figure