Rank | Company | Location | Year end | Annual sales rise over 3 years | Latest sales £000s | Staff | Comment |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Ambition RecruitmentNursing recruitment agency | SW London | 2001 | 255.82% | 28,257 | 56 | Provides 24-hour emergency nursing cover to hospitals and care homes |
2 | Positive SolutionsIndependent financial adviser | Newcastle | 2001 | 215.66% | 12,963 | 25 | Uses a network of 511 self-employed financial advisers |
3 | Land of LeatherFurniture retailer | Kent | 2001 | 196.58% | 72,199 | 305 | Expanded from single shop to 40 furniture showrooms throughout UK |
4 | Telecom OneTelecoms network provider | Central London | 2001 | 181.82% | 54,733 | 35 | Telecoms company also runs three television channels on Sky Digital |
5 | EuropcComputer hardware reseller | Glasgow | 2001 | 174.44% | 6,523 | 28 | Sells reconditioned PCs to more than 15,000 business customers |
6 | CoflexFacilities manager | Surrey | 2001 | 166.38% | 20,569 | 220 | Founders remortgaged homes before winning Mitsubishi bank as first client |
7 | AvellinoData software developer | Berkshire | 2001 | 160.02% | 4,623 | 26 | Software checks customer databases for BT and Abbey National |
8 | akaEntertainment marketing agency | Central London | 2001 | 154.24% | 4,427 | 18 | Promoted West End shows such as Art, Shockheaded Peter and Taboo |
9 | Sofas-UKFurniture retailer | South Wales | 2001 | 148.66% | 4,211 | 41 | Couple started out again after their furniture business went into receivership |
10 | CarshockCar supermarket | Newcastle | 2001 | 136.55% | 3,439 | 14 | Sells 3,000 cars a year to British customers |
11 | Bannatyne FitnessFitness centre operator | Darlington | 2001 | 134.23% | 15,708 | 453 | Founder's fourth business has 23 clubs with 52,000 members |
12 | Utility PartnershipUtility consultancy | Cardiff | 2001 | 128.82% | †5,990 | 60 | Handles power installation for 4,000 mobile-phone masts a year |
13 | De Montfort Fine ArtArt publisher | Staffordshire | 2001 | 127.91% | 3,432 | 31 | Supplies paintings, sculpture and prints to 4,000 galleries worldwide |
14 | BCPMS (Europe)Gold jewellery supplier | NW London | 2001 | 127.42% | 20,675 | 11 | Husband and wife sell gold jewellery and supply gold bullion |
15 | Welch’s of WirralDrinks wholesaler | Merseyside | 2001 | 126.48% | 3,149 | 13 | Father and son supply drinks to Liverpool nightclubs such as 051 |
16 | Options EmploymentRecruitment agency | Hounslow | 2001 | 123.61% | 57,206 | 302 | Architect builds engineering recruitment agency with 50 UK branches |
17 | Time Facilities MaintenanceBusiness facilities manager | Essex | 2001 | 122.86% | 3,738 | 40 | The company ceased trading in March 2003 |
18 | Damar Civil EngineeringCivil engineer | Bath | 2001 | 120.97% | 3,869 | 28 | Started by three brothers, now builds flood defences for Wessex Water |
19 | Sun ManagementTelecoms services manager | Gloucestershire | 2001 | 118.45% | 9,344 | 29 | Manages data, voice and mobile communications for large organisations |
20 | Complete CommunicationsTV and film producer | Central London | 2001 | 117.97% | †65,001 | 79 | Maker of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? sells TV show in 108 countries |
21 | CJ Garland & CoCall-centre operator | Hartlepool | 2001 | 114.22% | 12,590 | 1,100 | Employs 1,100 staff to answer phones for Vodafone, Egg and Powergen |
22 | Allpay.netElectronic payment provider | Herefordshire | 2001 | 113.50% | 3,340 | 16 | Offers bill payment network through 21,000 shops and 19,000 post offices |
23 | A4eOutsourced employment adviser | Sheffield | 2001 | 111.53% | 17,032 | 496 | Runs 83 redesigned government Jobcentres |
24 | City Refrigeration HoldingsFacilities maintenance provider | Glasgow | 2001 | 109.24% | 94,051 | 3,318 | Keeps facilities in Asda's 255 stores running 24 hours a day |
25 | KW InternationalTrading software developer | SW London | 2001 | 107.96% | 8,751 | 79 | Raised £9m of venture capital in 2001 to fund overseas expansion |
26 | Just LearningChildren's nursery operator | Kent | 2001 | 106.60% | 5,984 | 463 | Chain of 30 nurseries bought by Alchemy in £32m deal last year |
27 | Fresh BouquetsFlower supplier | Kent | 2001 | 105.44% | †6,412 | 76 | Supplies flowers direct to 4,500 garage forecourts and retail stores |
28 | Netwise SystemsComputer network integrator | Surrey | 2001 | 104.30% | 11,122 | 15 | Football injury inspired salesman to start IT business |
29 | Preferred InternationalIT recruitment consultancy | Southampton | 2001 | 102.83% | 17,700 | 41 | Won first big contract with Computacenter after three-minute sales pitch |
30 | Cardinal MaritimeFreight forwarder | Manchester | 2001 | 101.74% | 6,296 | 15 | Moves freight between Britain and the Middle East |
31 | WA DevelopmentsRail engineering contractor | Cumbria | 2001 | 100.74% | 7,564 | 90 | Engineers reacted to coal train derailment within two hours |
32 | Permanent Health CompanyHealth insurance provider | Hertfordshire | 2001 | 100.17% | 7,554 | 16 | Sells health insurance to 2,000 independent financial advisers |
33 | Global BeachE-business software developer | SW London | 2001 | 99.19% | 6,155 | 75 | Developed website where users can build a virtual Jaguar racing car |
34 | Jarvis TechnologiesComputer hardware reseller | East Sussex | 2001 | 98.70% | 7,172 | 14 | Computer reseller has expanded into continental and American markets |
35 | SolsisIT systems integrator | Reading | 2001 | 98.39% | 4,094 | 16 | Former Hewlett-Packard engineers retained employer as key client |
36 | SkyNet SystemsIT systems integrator | Oxfordshire | 2001 | 97.60% | 16,384 | 17 | Former scampi factory worker builds £16m-a-year business |
37 | Focus DIYDIY retailer | Crewe | 2001 | 97.16% | 1,462,400 | 15,994 | Chain of 429 DIY stores postponed flotation in July 2002 |
38 | DeliveranceHome and office caterer | Central London | 2001 | 97.16% | 3,911 | 122 | Delivers 1,000 upmarket meals a day to City banks and London residents |
39 | S&I ElectronicsElectronic equipment supplier | North London | 2001 | 95.56% | 138,890 | 37 | Three sons transform father's small radio shop into electronics wholesaler |
40 | ABMCrime software developer | Nottingham | 2001 | 95.14% | 3,846 | 68 | Software helped solve two crimes during sales demonstration in America |
41 | Alphatec SoftwarePayment software developer | Milton Keynes | 2001 | 94.82% | 3,181 | 42 | Software helps clear cheques for Barclays and Clydesdale Bank |
42 | Aircom InternationalTelecoms service provider | Surrey | 2001 | 93.36% | 17,660 | 152 | Mobile-phone giant Nokia took 40% stake in January 1999 |
43 | Sidcup Auto CentreCar dealer | Kent | 2001 | 92.59% | 7,309 | 16 | Brothers-in-law sell 1,100 Skodas a year from Kent garages |
44 | Selway MooreComputer hardware reseller | Berkshire | 2001 | 92.32% | 5,952 | 17 | Looks after computer servers for clients such as DHL |
45 | Stanton Interior SolutionsOffice refurbishment contractor | NW London | 2001 | 92.17% | 11,400 | 26 | Asian founder uses Gujarati contacts to employ top carpenters in City |
46 | Omni ITHuman resources consultancy | Cheshire | 2001 | 92.08% | 5,516 | 11 | Founder started IT company at the age of 25 with £30,000 overdraft |
47 | PRORecruitment agency | Central London | 2001 | 92.04% | 11,238 | 106 | Starting up a joint venture in Australia in 2003 |
48 | Mistral Internet GroupInternet service provider | Brighton | 2001 | 90.97% | 4,154 | 24 | Hosts websites for Sony Music and Bacardi |
49 | JK EnvironmentalEnvironmental waste manager | Hertfordshire | 2001 | 89.74% | 4,501 | 33 | Childhood friends team up to unblock sewers for Anglian Water |
50 | BrooksonFinancial consultancy | Warrington | 2001 | 89.52% | 3,364 | 33 | Helps 7,000 independent IT consultants, engineers and vets pay less tax |
51 | ContenderVideo distributor | Central London | 2001 | 89.43% | 4,709 | 12 | Distributes videos of TV programmes, from Beyblade to Tipping the Velvet |
52 | Beds and BarsHostel and bar operator | Central London | 2001 | 88.67% | 5,505 | 131 | Runs backpacker hostels and bars in Edinburgh, London and Newquay |
53 | QP GroupPurchasing consultancy | Hampshire | 2001 | 88.63% | 10,075 | 78 | Helps companies such as Glaxo and Diageo buy goods and services |
54 | Advanced Resource ManagersRecruitment consultancy | Portsmouth | 2001 | 88.56% | 10,672 | 22 | Started with £40,000 loan from founder's father |
55 | Simpson CarpenterMarket researcher | Wimbledon | 2001 | 87.24% | 4,024 | 20 | Helps Honda measure the effectiveness of its advertising |
56 | World Class InternationalIT management consultancy | Portsmouth | 2001 | 86.38% | 62,298 | 295 | Designed IT systems used by NHS Direct’s 24-hour helpline |
57 | Alternative NetworksTelecoms systems integrator | SW London | 2001 | 86.01% | 18,354 | 164 | Provides telecoms services for 3,000 small firms |
58 | Wimco Group CoachesCoach and bus operator | SW London | 2001 | 85.88% | 5,417 | 167 | Runs five bus routes in south London and Surrey |
59 | Pacific International RecruitmentIT recruitment agency | SW London | 2001 | 83.44% | 10,941 | 26 | Recruits professional staff for multinational clients |
60 | Care Management GroupCare home operator | Wimbledon | 2001 | 83.28% | 8,190 | 367 | Looks after 330 residents with learning disabilities in 49 care homes |
61 | PES GroupBuilding contractor | Epsom | 2001 | 82.49% | 4,163 | 23 | Helped build £4.5m office and apartment block at London’s Camden Lock |
62 | Hazell CarrActuarial services provider | Oxfordshire | 2001 | 81.99% | 93,170 | 372 | Business boomed sorting out pensions mis-selling scandal of the 1990s |
63 | RDF MediaTV programme maker | West London | 2001 | 81.51% | 19,683 | 140 | Created TV shows such as Faking It, Banzai and Scrapheap Challenge |
64 | ActixTelecoms software developer | West London | 2001 | 81.02% | 5,188 | 56 | Opened offices in Singapore and Shanghai to target Asian mobile market |
65 | Elec-Track InstallationsOverhead cable contractor | Kent | 2001 | 80.26% | 14,562 | 247 | Repaired overhead electrification cables after Hatfield rail crash |
66 | Howarine CalvertOffice stationery supplier | North London | 2001 | 79.24% | 4,465 | 32 | Teenage inventor of Pocket Gym builds office-supplies business |
67 | Paradise ComputersComputer hardware reseller | Hertfordshire | 2001 | 79.14% | 32,962 | 54 | Founder started in garden shed and still helps out in warehouse |
68 | UltralaseEye surgery provider | Leeds | 2001 | 77.80% | 11,044 | 60 | Uses lasers to correct eyesight in 1,000 operations a month |
69 | Mitek GroupComputer component distributor | Staffordshire | 2001 | 77.72% | 11,104 | 24 | Financed expansion with £2m credit facility from IBM |
70 | Food Brokers | Food Brokers is in liquidation as of November 2005 | |||||
71 | Spektra GroupE-business software developer | Livingston | 2001 | 76.39% | 4,940 | 55 | Makes the software that runs Tesco's Personal Finance website |
72 | Whiteoak DevelopmentsHousebuilder | Epsom | 2001 | 76.38% | 6,627 | 15 | Built 390 homes at Eastbourne's Sovereign Harbour marina |
73 | Gainsborough GroupServiced office provider | Central London | 2001 | 75.49% | 7,286 | 33 | Recently opened its first American serviced office in Washington |
74 | QPC HomesHousebuilder | Reading | 2001 | 74.12% | 6,411 | 30 | Founder went without salary for 18 months in 1990s property crash |
75 | HotelConnectHotel reservation agency | NW London | 2001 | 74.05% | 9,187 | 57 | Books hotels in Europe for non-package-tour travellers |
76 | ICMCleaning contractor | Hampshire | 2001 | 73.53% | 6,453 | 1,433 | Buses in cleaners at 4am to ensure cinemas are cleaned out of hours |
77 | Telecom Service CentresCall-centre operator | Isle of Bute | 2001 | 73.27% | 26,176 | 1,407 | Biggest employer on Isle of Bute helped cut unemployment from 17% to 7% |
78 | ICRManagement consultancy | West Yorkshire | 2001 | 73.00% | 17,738 | 16 | Solves customer contact problems for Lloyds TSB and Thomson Holidays |
79 | The Officers ClubDiscount clothing retailer | Northumberland | 2001 | 72.69% | 81,604 | 1,678 | Says it offers men's clothes at a 70% discount to high-street retailers |
80 | Rolled Gold InternationalMusic distributor | Slough | 2001 | 72.69% | 27,128 | 44 | Claims to sell imported CDs at up to 40% cheaper than rivals |
81 | The BankCommunication agency | Central London | 2001 | 72.56% | 9,608 | 27 | Makes TV commercials for HSBC and helped rebrand BMI British Midland |
82 | Windrush Frozen FoodsFood wholesaler | Oxfordshire | 2001 | 72.19% | 5,953 | 18 | Develops and supplies complete menus for restaurants |
83 | Central TrustLoan broker | Norwich | 2001 | 72.11% | 20,395 | 186 | Staff play 20 seconds of their favourite song on completing a deal |
84 | LoganairAirline | Paisley | 2001 | 72.08% | 21,022 | 176 | Flies world's shortest scheduled flight of two minutes in Orkneys |
85 | Apex ContractorsBuilding contractor | Kent | 2001 | 71.42% | 8,475 | 120 | Manages site logistics at Canary Wharf |
86 | NetKonect CommunicationsInternet service provider | Hampshire | 2001 | 71.23% | 5,093 | 37 | Founder borrowed £150,000 to start company |
87 | BravissimoLingerie retailer | Leamington Spa | 2001 | 71.15% | 7,168 | 50 | Set up when pregnant founder could not find D to J bra cup sizes |
88 | Direct GroupInsurance outsourcer | Doncaster | 2001 | 70.85% | 21,419 | 55 | Designs insurance packages for banks and other financial institutions |
89 | Claim Control ConsultantsInsurance claim processor | Walsall | 2001 | 70.77% | 16,387 | 45 | Replaces stolen and damaged computers for insurance companies |
90 | Just DeliContract caterer | Berkshire | 2001 | 70.74% | 5,334 | 141 | Provides bistro-style catering for ITN and Fujitsu |
91 | iokoDigital media systems integrator | York | 2001 | 70.43% | 10,083 | 143 | Developed Britain's largest online portal for hotels, restaurants and pubs |
92 | Pets At HomePet products retailer | Cheshire | 2001 | 70.31% | 178,292 | 1,976 | Bought rival Petsmart in 1999 to build chain of 145 pet superstores |
93 | Independent Building SolutionsBuilding systems developer | Croydon | 2001 | 70.00% | 10,033 | 80 | Develops systems to control building services from lifts to ventilation |
94 | SMRSAdvertising agency | Manchester | 2001 | 69.96% | 8,496 | 13 | Helps Airtours, HBOS and Nissan with recruitment advertising |
95 | B&H PolymersSpecialist plastics maker | Warrington | 2001 | 69.67% | 23,146 | 14 | Makes plastic for drink bottles that can be recycled for textiles |
96 | SirocomTelecoms services provider | SW London | 2001 | 69.46% | 6,376 | 32 | Built network to connect STA Travel's 400 worldwide offices |
97 | History & HeraldryGift maker | Rotherham | 2001 | 69.39% | 9,580 | 61 | Makes gifts sold at tourist sites all over the world |
98 | WorldRoamMobile phone hirer | Essex | 2001 | 69.07% | 4,186 | 20 | American business travellers outside the US account for 80% of sales |
99 | Kalsi PlasticsPlastic products maker | Birmingham | 2001 | 68.93% | 7,061 | 125 | Brothers started making plastic guttering after supplier poached customers |
100 | BlueprintMarketing agency | SW London | 2001 | 68.77% | 7,379 | 30 | Company avoids giving staff job titles |
* Supplied by Company † Annualised figure