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 **estimated