Rank Company Location Year end Sales £m % annual growth Profit £m Staff Main shareholders
1 Alliance BootsRetailer and pharmaceutical wholesaler UK/Switzerland Mar 10 22,500 1,360 64,888 Funds advised by Kohlberg Kravis Roberts, Alliance Santé Participations S.A.
2 INEOSChemicals manufacturer UK/Switzerland Dec 09 *16,107 *1,089 15,000 Jim Ratcliffe (75%), management and staff (25%)
3 John Lewis PartnershipFood and general retailer Central London Jan 10 *6,735 *621 70,000 Employees (100%)
4 Palmer and HarveyWholesale distributor East Sussex Apr 09 4,227 42 3,529 Management and employees (75%), former employees (25%)
5 Laing O’RourkeEngineering and construction group Dartford Mar 09 4,087 111 35,753 Ray O’Rourke, Des O’Rourke and Bernard Dempsey via Suffolk Partners Corporation
6 SwireConglomerate Central London Dec 09 3,614 885 67,854 Swire family (66%), others (34%)
7 StemcorSteel trader Central London Dec 09 3,540 5 1,461 Ralph Oppenheimer and family (71%), management and staff (29%)
8 European Metal RecyclingMetal recycler Warrington Dec 08 3,099 176 2,608 Sheppard family (99%)
9 GreenergyFuel supplier Central London Apr 10 *†2,691 *†29 109 Tesco (36%), Owens family (33%), Caradog (24%)
10 Virgin AtlanticAirline and tour operator Crawley Feb 09 2,579 85 9,876 Virgin Group (51%), Singapore Airlines (49%)
11 Rigby GroupIT infrastructure integrator Stratford-upon-Avon Mar 09 2,321 28 5,693 Sir Peter Rigby and family (100%)
12 ViridianElectricity utility Belfast Mar 09 2,271 249 1,666 Arcapita Bank (100%)
13 IcelandFrozen food retailer North Wales Mar 10 2,265 184 12,737 Baugur, Landsbanki, Glitnir, management
14 Brakes GroupFood distributor Kent Dec 09 *2,209 *152 9,052 Bain Capital (80%), management (20%)
15 Arnold Clark AutomobilesCar dealer Glasgow Dec 09 *2,139 *187 8,087 Sir Arnold Clark (40%), Clark family and trusts (60%)
16 Bestway GroupConglomerate West London Jun 09 *2,051 *115 5,075 Sir Anwar Pervez and family (66%), management (34%)
17 ArcadiaFashion retailer Central London Aug 09 1,979 323 30,624 Lady Cristina Green and family, Lloyds Banking Group
18 Shop DirectInternet and catalogue retailer Liverpool Apr 09 1,848 121 17,026 Sir David Barclay and Sir Frederick Barclay (100%)
19 Thames WaterWater services provider Reading Mar 10 *1,660 *1,057 5,148 Consortium led by Macquarie European Infrastructure Funds
20 AcromasConsumer services provider Kent Jan 09 1,612 544 12,170 Charterhouse, CVC, Permira, management & staff
21 EMIMusic publisher and producer Central London Mar 09 1,569 293 3,791 Terra Firma
22 Sir Robert McAlpineConstruction contractor Hertfordshire Oct 09 1,561 127 2,867 McAlpine family (100%)
23 SSPTravel foodservice provider Weybridge Sep 09 1,539 113 30,049 EQT and management (85%), mezzanine lenders (15%)
24 New LookFashion retailer Central London Mar 10 1,464 249 22,000 Permira (28%), Apax Partners (28%), Tom Singh (23%), management (16%), Quillian Investments (3%)
25 WilkoValue retailer Nottinghamshire Jan 09 1,449 75 25,179 Wilkinson family (100%)
26 Anglian Water GroupWater services provider Cambridgeshire Mar 09 1,427 663 6,997 CPPIB (32%), CFSGAM (32%), IFM (19%), 3i Group (16%)
27 SpecsaversOptical and hearing aid retailer Guernsey Feb 10 *1,360 n/a 26,000 Perkins family
28 JCBConstruction equipment manufacturer Staffordshire Dec 09 *1,355 n/a 7,000 Bamford family (100%)
29 United BiscuitsBranded snack manufacturer West London Dec 09 *1,262 *223 8,367 PAI Partners (45%), Blackstone (45%), management (10%)
30 Gala CoralBetting and gaming operator Central London Sep 09 *1,258 *334 18,760 Candover, Cinven, Permira and other minor interests
31 TI AutomotiveCar parts maker Oxford/USA Dec 09 *1,234 *52 14,205 More than 25 separate investors, including Oaktree and Duquesne
32 MRH (GB)Fuel retailer and distributor Essex Sep 09 1,188 33 347 Management (62%), Barclays Private Equity (38%)
33 ClarksShoe retailer and wholesaler Somerset Jan 10 1,174 125 13,364 Clark family (81%), employees and institutions (19%)
34 Findus GroupFood producer Central London Dec 09 1,165 127 5,681 Lion Capital, management
35 Pentland GroupBrand manager and retailer Central London Dec 09 *1,135 *105 12,115 Stephen Rubin and family (100%)
36 MatalanValue retailer Liverpool Feb 10 *1,120 *187 16,703 John Hargreaves and family (100%)
37 LINPACPackaging maker West Yorkshire Dec 09 1,092 94 7,734 Deutsche Bank, Lloyds TSB Bank
38 Bibby Line GroupConglomerate Liverpool Dec 09 1,089 53 5,195 Michael Bibby and family (88%), management and others (12%)
39 EnterpriseMaintenance services provider Lancashire Dec 09 1,060 84 8,515 3i (57%), Equiom Trust Company (23%), management and staff (20%)
40 Unipart GroupManufacturing, logistics and consultancy Oxford Dec 09 1,035 12 8,165 Management and staff (52%), 3i, Electra, Standard Life (33%), UGC Pension (15%)
41 The Vita GroupFoam and plastics maker Central London Dec 08 *1,027 *53 5,310 TPG Capital, other investors
42 Iglo GroupFrozen food producer West London Dec 09 *1,017 *180 2,320 Permira, management
43 Mott MacDonaldManagement and engineering consultancy Croydon Dec 09 1,016 63 13,060 Trust (50%), employees (50%)
44 KCA DEUTAG GroupDrilling contractor Aberdeen Dec 09 *1,016 *199 6,911 First Reserve (61%), Pamplona Capital (18%), other investment funds (21%)
45 Willmott Dixon GroupConstruction contractor Hertfordshire Dec 09 999 23 2,673 Willmott family (60%), Dixon family (20%), management (20%)
46 20:20 Mobile GroupMobile phone distributor Crewe Dec 09 992 26 1,271 Doughty Hanson (45%), consortium including RBS and Mizuho (45%), management (10%)
47 Kwik-FitCar repair centre operator Edinburgh Dec 09 968 95 9,385 PAI Partners, management
48 River IslandFashion retailer West London Dec 08 966 173 15,021 Bernard Lewis OBE and family (100%)
49 Kelda GroupWater services provider Bradford Mar 09 *924 *392 3,374 Consortium comprising Citigroup, GIC and Infracapital
50 WatesConstruction contractor Surrey Dec 09 904 40 2,118 Wates family (100%)
51 ArupDesign and engineering consultancy Central London Mar 09 889 91 10,346 Employees, through three trusts
52 John LaingInfrastructure investor and manager Central London Dec 09 872 4 1,110 Funds managed by Henderson Equity Partners
53 Bowmer & KirklandConstruction contractor Derbyshire Aug 09 870 37 1,998 Kirkland family and family trusts (100%)
54 WestcoastElectronic products distributor Reading Dec 09 *854 *10 747 Joe Hemani (100%)
55 MotoMotorway services operator Bedfordshire Dec 09 †815 †64 4,484 Macquarie Group & Affiliates, Equity Partners Infrastructure Company, pension funds, management
56 ArqivaCommunications services provider Winchester Jun 09 806 304 2,349 Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB) (48%), consortium of other investors (52%)
57 Bourne LeisureCaravan park operator Hertfordshire Dec 09 792 172 10,697 Peter Harris, John Cook, David Allen, management
58 Monarch HoldingsAirline and tour operator Luton Airport Oct 09 791 15 3,086 Amerald Investments (88%), Atlantic Financial Services (7%), Abaco Holdings (4%), Mary-Anne Hardie (1%)
59 Phones 4uMobile phone retailer Staffordshire Dec 08 789 101 5,447 Providence Equity Partners (72%), Caudwell Trust and others (25%), management (3%)
60 BiffaIntegrated waste manager High Wycombe Mar 09 788 175 4,772 Montagu Private Equity (34%), Global Infrastructure (34%), Lloyds Banking Group (4%), other investors (28%)
61 The Miller GroupHousebuilder & construction services Edinburgh Dec 09 *783 *14 1,309 Miller family, Lloyds Banking Group, employees
62 AF Blakemore & SonFood distributor West Midlands Apr 09 779 16 5,285 Blakemore family (100%)
63 DysonAppliance manufacturer Wiltshire Dec 09 *770 n/a 2,500 Sir James Dyson and family (100%)
64 Merlin EntertainmentsVisitor attraction operator Poole Dec 09 *769 *236 10,292 Consortium of Blackstone, Kirkbi A/S, Dubai International Capital, management
65 Marshall GroupConglomerate Cambridge Dec 09 766 38 4,460 Sir Michael Marshall and family trusts (58%), others (42%)
66 Martin McCollConvenience store operator Essex Nov 09 765 39 12,005 Management (80%), Lloyds Banking Group (20%)
67 Expro InternationalOilfield services provider Reading Mar 09 †763 †192 5,000 Goldman Sachs (36%), Candover (32%), Alpinvest (12%)
68 PSNOil services provider Aberdeen Dec 09 *741 *55 5,673 Lloyds Banking Group (33%), management and other (60%), West Coast Capital (7%)
69 DoncastersEngineering components maker Burton upon Trent Dec 09 727 109 5,621 Dubai International Capital (98%), management (2%)
70 MaceConstruction project manager Central London Dec 09 *726 *22 2,929 Management (100%)
71 Formula OneMotor racing administrator Central London Dec 09 722 276 257 CVC Capital Partners
72 OCS GroupFacilities services provider Gatwick Mar 09 716 38 62,629 Goodliffe family (100%)
73 Shepherd GroupBuilder, manufacturer and developer York Jun 09 698 45 3,717 Shepherd family (100%)
74 Peacock GroupFashion retailer Cardiff Mar 09 679 64 12,918 Och Ziff (24%), Perry Capital (24%), Echelon (8%), ELQ Investors (6%), management (38%)
75 Healthcare at HomeHome healthcare provider Burton upon Trent Oct 09 *679 *19 1,028 Hutton Collins (35%), management (65%)
76 Southern WaterWater services provider West Sussex Mar 09 678 483 1,518 Funds advised by JP Morgan Asset Management (28%) and UBS Infrastructure Fund (23%), others (49%)
77 AMC GroupMetal processor and trader Central London Dec 09 676 17 1,363 V Sher (26%), G Robbins (11%), G Rowan (11%), others (52%)
78 Fitness FirstFitness club operator Poole Oct 09 *670 *145 11,644 BC Partners (81%), management (19%)
79 Hanover AcceptancesConglomerate Central London Dec 08 669 54 1,941 Gorvy family through Quadriga Holdings (100%)
80 Samworth BrothersFood producer Leicestershire Jan 10 * †656 n/a 6,504 Samworth family trusts (100%)
81 Virgin Rail GroupTrain operator Central London Mar 09 650 96 3,048 Virgin Group Holdings (51%), Stagecoach (49%)
82 Northgate Information SolutionsSoftware and services provider Hertfordshire Apr 09 646 121 7,855 KKR (80%), management (10%), other institutional investors (10%)
83 Odeon & UCI Cinemas GroupCinema operator Central London Dec 09 *641 *68 9,010 Terra Firma (>99%)
84 House of FraserDepartment store operator Central London Jan 10 * †637 * †64 5,055 Baugur, Don McCarthy, Glitnir, West Coast Capital, Lloyds Banking Group
85 City Electrical FactorsElectrical parts wholesaler Warwickshire Apr 09 637 25 5,227 Mackie family trusts (100%)
86 TrailfindersTravel organiser West London Feb 09 634 2 1,258 Mike Gooley (100%)
87 ListersCar dealer Stratford-upon-Avon Mar 10 *624 *19 1,426 Terry Lister (27%), Keith Bradshaw (25%), Geoff Lister (15%), others (33%)
88 Bloor InvestmentsBuilder and motorcycle maker Derbyshire Jun 09 621 17 2,262 John Bloor (100%)
89 2 Sisters Food GroupFood producer Birmingham Jul 08 †620 †39 4,998 Baljinder and Ranjit Boparan (100%)
90 Spire HealthcarePrivate hospital operator Central London Dec 09 *620 *150 6,284 Cinven, management
91 Greenhous GroupCar dealer Shrewsbury Dec 09 617 9 683 Derek Passant (50%), Kerry Finnon (50%)
92 MonsoonClothing and accessories retailer West London Aug 09 612 95 4,218 Peter Simon and family (100%)
93 Welcome BreakMotorway services operator Milton Keynes Jan 09 608 37 3,819 Appia Group, management
94 NG BaileyMechanical, electrical contractor West Yorkshire Feb 09 600 7 3,898 Bailey family (100%)
95 TravelexForeign exchange operator Central London Dec 09 *599 *105 5,772 Apax Partners (55%), Lloyd Dorfman (28%), management (10%), Standard Chartered Bank (7%)
96 William Grant & SonsSpirits distiller Banffshire Dec 08 598 113 1,210 Grant and Gordon families
97 DFSUpholstered furniture retailer South Yorkshire Aug 09 578 76 2,555 Advent International, Lord Kirkham and family
98 flybeAirline operator Exeter Mar 09 577 24 2,860 Rosedale Aviation (69%), staff (16%), British Airways (15%)
99 KeepmoatHousing regeneration specialist South Yorkshire Mar 09 570 66 2,400 Lloyds Banking Group (20%), management (80%)
100 Caparo GroupMetal engineer Central London Dec 09 *562 *12 6,100 Lord Paul and family interests (100%)

* supplied by company   † annualised figure