1 |
Hazell CarrActuarial services provider |
Oxfordshire |
2000 |
114.24% |
14,472 |
45,231 |
99 |
250 freelance actuaries earn up to £350,000 a year |
2 |
Euro PackagingCarrier bag manufacturer |
Birmingham |
1999 |
105.03% |
17,170 |
84,293 |
309 |
Recently set up £8m manufacturing plant in Malaysia |
3 |
Pets At HomePet products retailer |
Cheshire |
2000 |
101.80% |
†5,561 |
†96,795 |
1,154 |
Bought Petsmart chain of 95 stores for £35m in 1999 |
4 |
Project TelecomTelecoms supplier |
Nottinghamshire |
1999 |
99.56% |
4,086 |
117,087 |
303 |
Started in parents’ garden, valued at £152m when floated in September |
5 |
IG GroupFinancial bookmaker |
SE London |
2000 |
98.74% |
12,215 |
23,644 |
94 |
Founded with £30,000, valued at £125m when floated in July 2000 |
6 |
Savers Health & BeautyDiscount chemist |
Durham |
2000 |
97.55% |
5,574 |
51,527 |
834 |
Bought by Hong Kong conglomerate Hutchison Whampoa in September |
7 |
The Officers ClubDiscount clothing retailer |
Northumberland |
2000 |
94.94% |
4,978 |
52,016 |
1,004 |
Discount retailer operates 152 shops from Aberdeen to Plymouth |
8 |
Waymade HealthcarePharmaceuticals maker |
Essex |
1999 |
92.12% |
13,219 |
180,162 |
350 |
Millionaire founder still works Saturday mornings in his first pharmacy |
9 |
RS Communication ServicesCable contractor |
Essex |
2000 |
91.87% |
5,533 |
21,167 |
44 |
Cabler installs City phone lines during the night |
10 |
SyscapComputer-equipment lessor |
SW London |
2000 |
89.63% |
3,592 |
48,714 |
138 |
Founded in attic, now preferred leasing partner for IBM and Compaq |
11 |
Computer Telecom InstallationsTelecoms installer |
Cambridgeshire |
2000 |
88.26% |
4,266 |
26,501 |
247 |
Founded with £140, sold for £28m to American telecoms company |
12 |
Focus Do It AllDIY retailer |
Cheshire |
1999 |
84.12% |
25,500 |
463,500 |
6,944 |
Bought Wickes and Great Mills last year for £289m and £275m |
13 |
GetjarBuilding contractor |
Hertfordshire |
2000 |
81.24% |
3,954 |
25,245 |
102 |
Former carpenter now puts up steel frames for housing |
14 |
QAS SystemsPostcode software developer |
SW London |
2000 |
79.01% |
4,414 |
24,082 |
182 |
Software gives likes of Interflora and B&Q access to 26m UK addresses |
15 |
EurochangeBureaux de change |
Central London |
1999 |
78.14% |
3,940 |
16,464 |
308 |
High-street currency bureau now offers corporate exchange facilities |
16 |
Alta GasBottled-gas distributor |
Liverpool |
1999 |
77.53% |
4,361 |
13,326 |
131 |
Craze for barbecues fuels sales |
17 |
Aircom InternationalTelecoms service provider |
Surrey |
2000 |
76.57% |
3,631 |
6,954 |
60 |
Nokia took 40% stake in company in June 1999 |
18 |
TravelexForeign exchange operator |
Central London |
1999 |
74.00% |
8,607 |
101,628 |
1,622 |
Bought Thomas Cook’s currency arm for £440m in March 2000 |
19 |
JobserveInternet recruitment publisher |
Essex |
2000 |
71.14% |
10,926 |
13,069 |
47 |
Last year’s Profit Track 100 top performer enjoys 83% profit margins |
20 |
Kent PharmaceuticalsPharmaceuticals distributor |
Kent |
2000 |
70.14% |
7,512 |
43,512 |
184 |
Own-brand Early Bird pregnancy test kits drive up margins |
21 |
Software 2000Printer software developer |
Oxford |
2000 |
68.42% |
10,327 |
15,423 |
73 |
97% of sales come from exports |
22 |
Telsis HoldingsTelecom-equipment maker |
Hampshire |
1999 |
66.42% |
5,328 |
20,621 |
159 |
Technology let Italian Big Brother viewers listen in on mobile phones |
23 |
Searchlight ElectricLighting wholesaler |
Manchester |
1999 |
65.14% |
3,299 |
15,487 |
131 |
Importing lamps from China since the Cultural Revolution |
24 |
Rajan ImportsClothing importer |
Manchester |
2000 |
63.64% |
8,982 |
62,215 |
65 |
Responds to fashion trends by getting manufacturers’ samples in a week |
25 |
WatesConstruction contractor |
Surrey |
1999 |
62.71% |
11,829 |
424,499 |
1,283 |
Redeveloping the Queen’s New Gallery at Buckingham Palace |
26 |
ArchantNewspaper, magazine publisher |
Norwich |
1999 |
62.15% |
21,552 |
116,157 |
2,100 |
Growth to 65 titles achieved by recent acquisition of niche magazines |
27 |
First SoftwareComputer software developer |
Cheshire |
1999 |
61.98% |
4,719 |
19,813 |
237 |
Bought in May 2000 by Ireland’s Sx3 in multi-million pound deal |
28 |
Golley Slater GroupAdvertising agency |
Cardiff |
1999 |
61.42% |
4,366 |
57,008 |
179 |
Co-founded by former Z-Cars actor |
29 |
Crown Crest GroupGrocery/FMCG wholesaler |
Leicester |
2000 |
59.85% |
3,992 |
93,278 |
52 |
Malawian-born founder has worked in retailing since the age of 12 |
30 |
Weston HomesHousebuilder |
Hertfordshire |
2000 |
58.22% |
3,415 |
24,093 |
75 |
Transformed Surrey mental hospital into luxury apartments |
31 |
Bloor InvestmentsBuilder and motorcycle maker |
Derbyshire |
1999 |
54.65% |
36,717 |
354,668 |
1,280 |
Founder rescued Triumph motorcycles from the liquidator |
32 |
Nu-Aire HoldingsFan maker |
South Wales |
1999 |
53.86% |
3,091 |
30,908 |
476 |
Manufactures ventilation systems sensitive to human entry |
33 |
BellwaterTelecoms contractor |
Surrey |
1999 |
52.92% |
3,040 |
50,919 |
100 |
Builds giant European server “hotels” for Yahoo |
34 |
Cygnet Health CareHealthcare provider |
Surrey |
1999 |
52.12% |
3,029 |
11,828 |
367 |
Chain of 11 UK psychiatric clinics claims to be ‘fifth emergency service’ |
35 |
Jane NormanWomen’s clothing retailer |
Central London |
2000 |
50.06% |
6,657 |
28,508 |
303 |
Operates three-week stock turnround |
36 |
City NetworksComputer software provider |
Central London |
1999 |
48.05% |
3,376 |
11,413 |
126 |
Software enables HSBC and Citibank to consolidate transactions |
37 |
Higgins GroupHousebuilder |
Essex |
2000 |
47.46% |
6,560 |
95,082 |
351 |
Builds Methodist chapels and renovates Georgian terraces in Islington |
38 |
Marshall GroupConglomerate |
Cambridge |
1999 |
47.29% |
10,183 |
461,582 |
3,374 |
Developed Concorde’s nose and batteries used on Apollo moon landers |
39 |
Zoffany HotelsHotel operator |
Berkshire |
1999 |
46.32% |
3,262 |
12,171 |
491 |
Targets corporate market with chain of 10 renovated city-centre hotels |
40 |
C-Beck GroupExhibition contractor |
Surrey |
1999 |
45.69% |
5,146 |
48,329 |
339 |
Rose from receivership to build Millennium Dome exhibits worth £18m |
41 |
Hammonds FurnitureFurniture maker |
Leicestershire |
1999 |
45.57% |
3,372 |
35,639 |
669 |
Won contract with Bovis Homes to supply bedrooms for entire estate |
42 |
William Price & SonsBaker |
Walsall |
1999 |
45.40% |
4,433 |
105,177 |
1,472 |
Family baker makes 400,000 organic loaves a week for supermarkets |
43 |
Squires BridgeHousebuilder |
Surrey |
2000 |
44.60% |
3,219 |
9,929 |
17 |
Former accountant turns house painter during recession |
44 |
CP PharmaceuticalsPharmaceuticals maker |
Wrexham |
2000 |
43.82% |
3,964 |
32,185 |
451 |
MBI turned £3m loss into £4m profit in seven years |
45 |
Sigma PharmaceuticalsPharmaceutical distributor |
Watford |
1999 |
42.65% |
3,484 |
88,501 |
91 |
Started life in the back of founder’s pharmacy |
46 |
Livingstone GuaranteeCorporate-finance adviser |
Central London |
2000 |
40.74% |
3,931 |
6,330 |
30 |
Advised Gardner Merchant on its £422m MBO from Forte |
47 |
IpecoAircraft seat manufacturer |
Essex |
1999 |
40.23% |
7,744 |
30,394 |
485 |
Company floated in late 1980s but was later bought back by family |
48 |
Halewood Wines and SpiritsAlcoholic drinks maker |
Liverpool |
2000 |
40.05% |
14,993 |
140,859 |
720 |
Fashionable Red Square drinks help drive up profit margins |
49 |
Kent MessengerNewspaper publisher |
Kent |
1999 |
39.97% |
4,062 |
30,516 |
651 |
Owner lends his Bentley to staff for their weddings |
50 |
United House GroupBuilding contractor |
Kent |
1999 |
39.81% |
5,261 |
42,113 |
231 |
Builder makes workers sign ‘Considerate Contractor’s Charter’ |
51 |
ListersCar dealer |
Stratford-upon-Avon |
2000 |
39.13% |
5,378 |
159,401 |
459 |
Started with one dealership, now runs 15 in Midlands |
52 |
City TruckHaulier |
Bucks |
1999 |
39.06% |
6,101 |
64,844 |
630 |
Musical-instrument distributor now transports dangerous chemicals |
53 |
AcromasConsumer services provider |
Kent |
2000 |
38.90% |
26,264 |
284,905 |
1,974 |
Sells over-50s everything from luxury cruises to pet insurance |
54 |
MediaforceMarketing services provider |
Central London |
2000 |
38.51% |
4,154 |
49,017 |
207 |
Delivers 2.5 billion leaflets in Britain every year |
55 |
Burhill Golf and LeisureGolf club operator |
Surrey |
1999 |
37.59% |
3,602 |
13,843 |
198 |
Guinness family brings club atmosphere to ‘pay and play’ golf courses |
56 |
RomoFabric wholesaler |
Nottinghamshire |
1999 |
37.40% |
4,705 |
33,833 |
234 |
Former horsehair supplier sells furnishing fabrics to German market |
57 |
Centerprise InternationalComputer hardware assembler |
Hampshire |
1999 |
36.57% |
9,222 |
94,712 |
151 |
Builds 750 tailor-made computers per eight-hour shift |
58 |
Hitchen FoodsFresh-food supplier |
Wigan |
2000 |
36.56% |
3,313 |
25,029 |
533 |
‘Chilled chip’ and packaged melon slices fuel food producer’s growth |
59 |
William Gibbons & SonsPrinter and finisher |
West Midlands |
2000 |
36.55% |
3,830 |
14,731 |
134 |
Fourth generation of family invests £5m in new print technology |
60 |
British & Foreign TradingClothing importer |
NW London |
1999 |
36.47% |
5,570 |
27,742 |
506 |
Posh Spice jacket inspires designs that reached market in three weeks |
61 |
Dunelm Soft FurnishingsSoft furnishings retailer |
Leicester |
2000 |
36.30% |
13,188 |
73,072 |
550 |
Dusters and oven gloves help profits grow to more than £13m |
62 |
MorsonEngineering recruitment agency |
Manchester |
1999 |
36.22% |
3,657 |
89,510 |
85 |
Supplies whole teams of technical staff and equipment |
63 |
Ryalux CarpetsCarpet maker |
Lancashire |
1999 |
35.23% |
6,046 |
35,116 |
324 |
Supplied upmarket carpets to Sir Cliff Richard and Barbara Windsor |
64 |
Russell & BromleyShoe retailer |
W London |
1999 |
34.98% |
10,211 |
61,849 |
1,163 |
Shoe retailer founded in 1845 has 45 shops across Britain |
65 |
Pret A MangerSandwich shop operator |
Central London |
1999 |
34.08% |
4,599 |
76,767 |
1,504 |
Sold 33% of company to McDonald’s in February 2000 |
66 |
TJ MorrisDiscount retailer |
Liverpool |
1999 |
33.14% |
6,385 |
69,521 |
752 |
Offers 50% reductions on branded goods like Calvin Klein underwear |
67 |
Kebbell HomesEstate developer |
Watford |
1999 |
32.63% |
5,712 |
23,196 |
56 |
Targets niche market of executive homes selling for over £260,000 |
68 |
Toni & GuyHair stylists |
Central London |
1999 |
32.21% |
8,692 |
86,189 |
2,346 |
Sales of own-brand haircare products reaches $50m in America |
69 |
Dalgleish & CoSurveyor |
W London |
2000 |
31.82% |
4,932 |
8,984 |
58 |
Founded by 26-year-old with one secretary and a handful of clients |
70 |
Cannon AVENTBaby product manufacturer |
Suffolk |
1999 |
31.59% |
10,226 |
61,439 |
801 |
Exports baby feeding products to 60 countries |
71 |
Protec Fire DetectionSecurity products maker |
Lancashire |
1999 |
30.47% |
5,024 |
35,051 |
564 |
Provided £5m fire detection system for Millennium Dome |
72 |
Satair Hardware GroupAviation parts distributor |
West Sussex |
1999 |
30.18% |
3,157 |
18,515 |
79 |
Recent merger with Danish company enables European expansion |
73 |
ChancerealmStationery retailer |
Middlesex |
2000 |
30.15% |
4,015 |
58,533 |
1,298 |
Millwall FC chairman rescues lingerie chain and Rymans from receiver |
74 |
PA Consulting GroupManagement, IT consultancy |
Central London |
1999 |
30.09% |
37,534 |
304,776 |
2,705 |
Bought American consultancy Hagler Bailly for $96m in October |
75 |
Speed FrameDouble-glazing manufacturer |
South Yorkshire |
1999 |
30.08% |
4,064 |
22,646 |
321 |
Company builds fifth factory in Yorkshire for £7.5m |
76 |
AllportLogistics operator |
West London |
1999 |
29.76% |
4,544 |
157,446 |
1,106 |
Freight-tracking software arm becomes stand-alone company |
77 |
Independent Radio NewsRadio news provider |
Central London |
2000 |
29.64% |
4,883 |
17,198 |
3 |
Provides news to 250 radio stations and 27m people a week |
78 |
Cumbrian IndustrialsBuilding contractor |
Cumbria |
2000 |
29.38% |
3,389 |
36,300 |
212 |
Innovative road-surface materials drive up profits |
79 |
Teague Homes (Scotland)Building contractor |
Edinburgh |
2000 |
29.22% |
7,723 |
18,220 |
58 |
Five builder brothers benefit from Edinburgh housing boom |
80 |
The Beer SellerDrinks distributor |
Somerset |
2000 |
29.02% |
†4,173 |
†138,992 |
652 |
Former banker bought company for £125,000, sold it for £32m in 2000 |
81 |
WR RefrigerationRefrigeration engineer |
Leicester |
2000 |
28.26% |
3,146 |
45,614 |
427 |
Grows through acquisition and provides refrigeration for supermarkets |
82 |
The Imagination GroupDesign consultancy |
Central London |
1999 |
27.39% |
8,387 |
101,512 |
317 |
‘One-stop shop’ creative agency directs projects in over 20 countries |
83 |
WilkoValue retailer |
Nottinghamshire |
2000 |
27.35% |
30,926 |
586,927 |
13,691 |
Started with single branch in Leicester, now has 187 stores nationwide |
84 |
Hamptons GroupEstate agency |
SW London |
2000 |
27.07% |
8,527 |
49,187 |
910 |
MBI team rescued 125-year-old brand |
85 |
Simclar InternationalElectronics assembler |
Fife |
1999 |
26.56% |
3,611 |
43,504 |
684 |
Started in Dunfermline garage, recently took stake in US-listed company |
86 |
RaywareHousehold-goods supplier |
Liverpool |
1999 |
26.53% |
4,621 |
29,210 |
103 |
£1m advertising campaign for crockery targets Hello magazine readers |
87 |
Westbridge InternationalClothing importer |
Nottingham |
2000 |
26.48% |
4,927 |
57,213 |
806 |
Began life as market stall, now run by founder’s son and grandson |
88 |
Search ConsultancyRecruitment consultancy |
Glasgow |
1999 |
26.43% |
3,267 |
42,357 |
172 |
Helping army find 2,000 recruits in Scotland |
89 |
Willmott Dixon GroupConstruction contractor |
Hertfordshire |
1999 |
25.85% |
4,116 |
245,071 |
1,151 |
Built Europe’s largest social-housing development in Oxford |
90 |
Rainham Steel GroupSteel distributor |
Essex |
2000 |
25.72% |
6,680 |
35,805 |
103 |
Advertised pitchside at Albania v England World Cup qualifier |
91 |
Bowmer & KirklandConstruction contractor |
Derbyshire |
1999 |
25.70% |
13,341 |
282,210 |
1,067 |
Claims to build supermarkets in record time for Sainsbury and Tesco |
92 |
The Miller GroupHousebuilder & construction services |
Edinburgh |
1999 |
25.66% |
21,209 |
497,815 |
2,257 |
Playing key role in £450m scheme to redevelop central Birmingham |
93 |
Alban CommunicationsOutdoor advertising agency |
W London |
1999 |
24.95% |
3,801 |
133,355 |
67 |
Projected image of David Beckham on Dover cliffs for advertising |
94 |
Vanco GroupTelecoms network provider |
Middlesex |
2000 |
24.11% |
3,007 |
20,889 |
179 |
Links IT systems of Deutsche Börse and LSE for instantaneous news |
95 |
Firmdale HotelsHotelier |
SW London |
2000 |
24.01% |
4,037 |
12,526 |
203 |
Transformed Central London backpackers’ hostel into designer hotel |
96 |
Oscar FaberEngineering consultancy |
St Albans |
2000 |
23.82% |
3,956 |
43,075 |
818 |
Helped to restore Windsor Castle after 1992 fire |
97 |
M&C Saatchi WorldwideAdvertising agency |
Central London |
1999 |
23.81% |
4,435 |
83,354 |
426 |
Saatchi brothers create new firm from ashes of old |
98 |
William DavisBuilding contractor |
Leicestershire |
2000 |
23.68% |
6,676 |
62,664 |
409 |
Builds executive homes on land bought cheaply during last recession |
99 |
Jelson HoldingsBuilding contractor |
Leicester |
2000 |
23.37% |
9,793 |
52,824 |
671 |
Started as undertaker, now builds 350 houses a year |
100 |
Affinity HealthcareHealthcare provider |
Cheshire |
1999 |
23.23% |
3,061 |
16,439 |
554 |
Operates five private hospitals from Scotland to Canada |