Rank Company Location Year end Sales £m % annual growth Profit £m Staff Main shareholders
1 INEOSChemicals manufacturer UK/Switzerland Dec 08 †23,148 †501 14,971 Jim Ratcliffe (75%), management and staff (25%)
2 Gala CoralBetting and gaming operator Central London Sep 08 †15,032 †362 19,956 Candover (27%), Cinven (27%), Permira (27%), management (19%)
3 StemcorSteel trader Central London Dec 08 6,289 105 1,364 Ralph Oppenheimer and family (71%), management and staff (29%)
4 John Lewis PartnershipFood and general retailer Central London Jan 09 * †6,149 * †516 68,700 Employees (100%)
5 Palmer and HarveyWholesale distributor East Sussex Apr 08 †4,026 †48 3,518 Management and employees (75%), former employees (25%)
6 Laing O’RourkeEngineering and construction group Dartford Mar 08 3,603 140 30,847 Ray O’Rourke, Hugh O’Rourke and Bernard Dempsey via Suffolk Partners Corporation
7 bet365Online bookmaker Stoke-on-Trent Mar 09 †3,455 †75 900 Coates family (93%), William Roseff (7%)
8 SwireConglomerate Central London Dec 08 †3,244 n/a 125,000 Swire family (66%), others (34%)
9 Virgin AtlanticAirline and tour operator Crawley Feb 09 2,579 85 9,876 Virgin Group (51%), Singapore Airlines (49%)
10 GreenergyFuel supplier Central London Mar 09 †2,363 †27 80 Andrew Owens and Alex Lewis (33%), Caradog (24%), Tesco (21%), Barclays (15%)
11 European Metal RecyclingMetal recycler Warrington Dec 07 2,243 171 2,365 Sheppard family (98%)
12 Arnold Clark AutomobilesCar dealer Glasgow Dec 08 †2,210 †155 8,421 Sir Arnold Clark (40%), Clark family and trusts (60%)
13 IcelandFrozen food retailer North Wales Mar 09 2,081 163 19,406 Baugur, Landsbanki, Glitnir, management
14 Brakes GroupFood distributor Kent Dec 08 2,048 140 9,037 Bain Capital (80%), management (20%)
15 Rigby GroupIT infrastructure integrator Stratford-upon-Avon Mar 08 2,041 24 5,533 Sir Peter Rigby and family (100%)
16 JCBConstruction equipment manufacturer Staffordshire Dec 08 †2,010 n/a n/a Bamford family (100%)
17 Bestway GroupConglomerate West London Jun 08 †1,895 †92 5,118 Sir Anwar Pervez and family (66%), management (34%)
18 ArcadiaFashion retailer Central London Aug 08 1,847 325 31,211 Lady Cristina Green and family, Lloyds Banking Group
19 Anglian Water GroupWater services provider Cambridgeshire Mar 08 1,811 644 10,847 CPPIB (32.3%), CFSGAM (32.3%), IFM (19.3%), 3i Group (16.1%)
20 Shop DirectInternet and catalogue retailer Liverpool Apr 08 *1,762 *54 17,810 Sir David Barclay and Sir Frederick Barclay (100%)
21 Sir Robert McAlpineConstruction contractor Hertfordshire Oct 08 1,697 68 2,937 McAlpine family (100%)
22 Thames WaterWater services provider Reading Mar 09 †1,577 †1,021 5,141 Consortium led by Macquarie European Infrastructure Funds
23 AcromasConsumer services provider Kent Jan 08 †1,545 †479 11,699 Charterhouse, CVC, Permira, management & staff
24 EMIMusic publisher and producer Central London Mar 08 †1,458 †164 4,536 Terra Firma, management
25 ViridianElectricity utility Belfast Mar 08 1,450 205 1,587 Arcapita Bank (100%)
26 MRH (GB)Fuel retailer and distributor Essex Sep 08 †1,432 †34 351 Management (62%), Barclays Private Equity (38%)
27 SSPTravel foodservice provider Weybridge Sep 08 1,426 133 29,804 EQT and co-investors (88%), management (12%)
28 TI AutomotiveCar parts maker Oxford/USA Dec 07 1,395 127 17,950 Oaktree Capital Management, Duquesne Capital Management, JP Morgan
29 WilkoValue retailer Nottinghamshire Feb 08 1,364 88 25,424 Wilkinson family (100%)
30 New LookFashion retailer Central London Mar 09 †1,325 †218 20,316 Permira (28%), Apax Partners (28%), Tom Singh (23%), management (16%), Quillian Investments (3%)
31 SpecsaversOptical and hearing aid retailer Guernsey Feb 09 †1,181 n/a 26,000 Perkins family
32 United BiscuitsBranded snack manufacturer West London Dec 08 * †1,179 * †193 8,500 PAI Partners (45%), Blackstone (45%), management (10%)
33 ClarksShoe retailer and wholesaler Somerset Jan 09 1,122 122 13,425 Clark family (81%), employees and institutions (19%)
34 BetfredBookmaker Warrington Mar 08 1,116 26 2,301 Fred and Peter Done and family (100%)
35 LINPACPackaging maker West Yorkshire Dec 07 1,101 106 9,172 Montagu Private Equity (46%), other shareholders (54%)
36 Findus GroupFood producer Central London Sep 08 †1,091 †117 6,569 Lion Capital, management
37 EnterpriseMaintenance services provider Lancashire Dec 08 †1,090 †82 n/a 3i (57%), Equiom Trust Company (23%), management and staff (20%)
38 The Miller GroupHousebuilder & construction services Edinburgh Dec 08 †1,047 †-116 1,929 Miller family, Lloyds Banking Group, employees
39 bmiAirline operator Derby Dec 08 †1,046 n/a n/a Sir Michael Bishop (50%), Lufthansa (30%), SAS (20%)
40 Pentland GroupBrand manager and retailer Central London Dec 08 †1,044 †90 11,552 Stephen Rubin and family (100%)
41 MatalanValue retailer Liverpool Mar 09 †1,036 †145 15,421 John Hargreaves and family (54%), Abacus Trust (22%), Maxine Adams (8%)
42 Unipart GroupManufacturing, logistics and consultancy Oxford Dec 08 †1,034 †8 8,102 Management and staff (52%), 3i, Electra, Standard Life (33%), UGC Pension (15%)
43 Bibby Line GroupConglomerate Liverpool Dec 08 1,034 67 4,911 Michael Bibby and family (88%), management and others (12%)
44 The Vita GroupFoam and plastics maker Central London Dec 08 †1,027 †53 5,310 TPG Capital, other investors
45 WatesConstruction contractor Surrey Dec 08 1,009 38 2,323 Wates family (100%)
46 AMC GroupMetal processor and trader Central London Dec 08 977 54 1,465 V Sher (26%), G Robbins (11%), G Rowan (11%), others (52%)
47 Iglo GroupFrozen food producer West London Dec 08 †970 †161 2,306 Permira, management
48 Kwik-FitCar repair centre operator Edinburgh Dec 08 942 97 10,296 PAI Partners, management
49 Baxi GroupHeating systems manufacturer Derby Dec 08 †939 †108 4,348 BC Partners (81%), Electra Private Equity (11%), management (8%)
50 Mott MacDonaldManagement and engineering consultancy Croydon Dec 08 †913 †51 12,664 Trust (50%), employees (50%)
51 Kelda GroupWater services provider Bradford Mar 08 896 522 3,363 Consortium comprising Citigroup, GIC and Infracapital
52 River IslandFashion retailer West London Dec 07 888 194 14,796 Bernard Lewis OBE and family (100%)
53 Bowmer & KirklandConstruction contractor Derbyshire Aug 08 †885 †38 1,793 Kirkland family and family trusts (100%)
54 KCA DEUTAG GroupDrilling contractor Aberdeen Dec 08 †877 †158 7,350 First Reserve (59%), Pamplona Capital (18%), management (2%), other investment funds (21%)
55 Aurora FashionsFashion retailer Central London Jan 08 870 70 14,761 Kaupthing, management
56 BhsDepartment store operator Central London Mar 08 860 62 14,937 Lady Cristina Green and family (95%), West Coast Capital (5%)
57 Caparo GroupMetal engineer Central London Dec 08 †856 †37 8,352 Lord Paul and family (100%)
58 DoncastersEngineering components maker Burton upon Trent Dec 08 854 148 6,344 Dubai International Capital (78%), Eric Lewis (7%), other management (15%)
59 20:20 Mobile GroupMobile phone distributor Crewe Dec 08 850 28 1,447 Doughty Hanson, RBS, Mizuho, management
60 MotoMotorway services operator Bedfordshire Dec 08 843 53 4,404 Macquarie Bank, Equity Partners Infrastructure Company, pension funds, management
61 Virgin Rail GroupTrain operator Central London Mar 08 841 70 3,968 Virgin Group Holdings (51%), Stagecoach (49%)
62 Monarch HoldingsAirline and tour operator Luton Airport Oct 08 813 42 3,218 Amerald Investments (88%), Atlantic Financial Services (7%), Abaco Holdings (4%), Mary-Anne Hardie (1%)
63 WestcoastElectronic products distributor Reading Dec 08 †801 †9 896 Joe Hemani (100%)
64 BiffaIntegrated waste manager High Wycombe Mar 08 777 167 5,011 Montagu Private Equity (34%), Global Infrastructure (34%), Lloyds Banking Group (4%)
65 Phones 4uMobile phone retailer Staffordshire Dec 07 766 121 5,772 Providence Equity Partners (72%), Caudwell Trust and others (25%), management (3%)
66 Martin McCollConvenience store operator Essex Nov 08 * †760 * †40 11,953 Management (80%), Lloyds Banking Group (20%)
67 Bourne LeisureCaravan park operator Hertfordshire Dec 08 †745 †154 10,278 Peter Harris, John Cook, David Allen, management
68 ArupDesign and engineering consultancy Central London Mar 08 726 70 8,929 Employees, through three trusts
69 Marshall GroupConglomerate Cambridge Dec 08 †724 †29 3,950 Michael Marshall and family trusts (58%), others (42%)
70 Shepherd GroupBuilder, manufacturer and developer York Jun 08 716 51 3,713 Shepherd family (100%)
71 AF Blakemore & SonFood distributor West Midlands Apr 08 710 17 5,267 Peter Blakemore and family (100%)
72 Greenhous GroupCar dealer Shrewsbury Dec 08 690 8 755 Derek Passant (50%), Kerry Finnon (50%)
73 First Quench RetailingOff-licence operator Hertfordshire Jun 08 *686 *-12 9,532 Vision Capital (98%), Pension Corporation (led by Edmund Truell) (2%)
74 John LaingInfrastructure investor and manager Central London Dec 08 †685 †30 1,127 Funds managed by Henderson Equity Partners
75 OCS GroupFacilities services provider Gatwick Mar 08 674 31 60,293 Goodliffe family (100%)
76 PSNOil services provider Aberdeen Dec 08 †664 †40 5,583 Lloyds Banking Group (40%), management (37%), West Coast Capital (8%)
77 Merlin EntertainmentsVisitor attraction operator Poole Dec 08 662 201 9,778 Blackstone (48%), Kirkbi Invest (22%), Dubai International Capital (18%), management (12%)
78 Peacock GroupFashion retailer Cardiff Mar 08 662 74 12,332 Och Ziff (24% ), Perry Capital (24%), Echelon (8%), ELQ Investors (6%), management (38%)
79 House of FraserDepartment store operator Central London Jan 08 661 61 5,595 Baugur, Don McCarthy, Glitnir, West Coast Capital, Lloyds Banking Group
80 Focus DIYDIY retailer Crewe Feb 08 *654 *-3 7,216 Cerberus Capital Management (69%), others and management (31%)
81 City Electrical FactorsElectrical parts wholesaler Warwickshire Apr 08 630 27 5,152 Mackie family trusts (100%)
82 Bloor InvestmentsBuilder and motorcycle maker Derbyshire Jun 08 628 44 2,093 John Bloor (100%)
83 ListersCar dealer Stratford-upon-Avon Mar 08 622 16 1,481 Terry Lister (27%), Keith Bradshaw (25%), Geoff Lister (15%), others (33%)
84 TrailfindersTravel organiser West London Feb 08 620 12 1,208 Mike Gooley (100%)
85 Southern WaterWater services provider West Sussex Mar 08 †619 †428 1,611 Funds advised by JP Morgan Asset Management (28%) and UBS Infrastructure Fund (23%); Challenger Infrastructure Fund (16%), others (33%)
86 DysonAppliance manufacturer Wiltshire Dec 07 611 111 2,203 Sir James Dyson and family (100%)
87 GladedaleHousebuilder Dunfermline Dec 07 †610 †109 1,587 Remo Dipre and family (100%)
88 Fitness FirstFitness club operator Poole Oct 08 †610 †135 11,657 BC Partners (81%), management (19%)
89 Expro InternationalOilfield services provider Reading Mar 08 610 153 4,272 Candover (43%), Goldman Sachs (43%), Alpinvest (14%)
90 MaceConstruction project manager Central London Dec 08 †608 †17 2,917 Management (100%)
91 Samworth BrothersFood producer Leicestershire Dec 08 †597 †66 6,425 Samworth family trusts (100%)
92 Hanover AcceptancesConglomerate Central London Dec 07 588 53 1,933 Gorvy family through Quadriga Holdings (100%)
93 TravelexForeign exchange operator Central London Dec 08 †584 †122 5,554 Apax Partners (55%), Lloyd Dorfman (28%), management (10%), Standard Chartered Bank (7%)
94 DFSUpholstered furniture retailer South Yorkshire Aug 08 *584 *60 2,688 Lord Kirkham and family (100%)
95 Welcome BreakMotorway services operator Milton Keynes Jan 08 *583 *38 4,069 Appia Group, management
96 JCT600Car dealer Bradford Dec 07 574 18 1,329 Tordoff family and family trusts (100%)
97 KeepmoatHousing regeneration specialist South Yorkshire Mar 09 †571 †64 2,400 Lloyds Banking Group (20%), management (80%)
98 Formula OneMotor racing administrator Central London Dec 08 †571 †175 249 CVC Capital Partners
99 Firth RixsonAerospace manufacturer Sheffield Sep 08 †564 †106 1,908 Oak Hill Capital Partners (majority stake), Lehman Brothers, management
100 MonsoonClothing and accessories retailer West London Aug 08 *559 *82 4,564 Peter Simon and family (100%)

* supplied by company   † annualised figure