Rank Company Location Year end Sales £m Operating profit £m Staff Main shareholders
1 Noble FoodsEgg products manufacturer Hertfordshire Sep-04 336.8 8.2 2,493 Peter Dean (93%)
2 BrightHouseHousehold goods retailer Watford Mar-04 335.5 -16.6 2,788 Terra Firma
3 KeepmoatHousing regeneration specialist South Yorkshire Mar-05 *334.7 *32.0 1,967 Terry Bramall (76%), Richard Watson (18%), David Blunt (6%)
4 Acertec HoldingsIndustrial steel processor Solihull Dec-04 *333.4 *20.0 2,569 Candover (95%), management (5%)
5 Henderson GroupFood wholesaler and retailer County Antrim Dec-04 330.8 8.2 1,743 Geoffrey Agnew (37%), Martin Agnew (37%), Ardbarron Trust (24%)
6 Fairview New HomesHousebuilder North London Dec-04 329.1 71.2 758 Management (100%)
7 William Grant & SonsSpirits distiller Banffshire Dec-03 328.7 59.7 969 Bath Street Nominees (43%), Peter and Grant Gordon
8 CP HoldingsConglomerate Watford Dec-03 325.4 15.5 8,968 Schreier family trusts
8 PA Consulting GroupManagement, IT consultancy Central London Dec-04 325.4 34.8 2,435 Employees (100%)
10 Caparo GroupMetal engineer Central London Dec-03 321 8 2,259 Lord Paul and family (100%)
11 Pentland GroupBrand manager and retailer Central London Dec-04 320.1 11.4 1,650 Stephen Rubin and family (100%)
12 Four Seasons Health CareHealthcare provider Cheshire Dec-04 *312.4 *27.0 21,000 Allianz Capital Partners (92%), management (8%)
13 IM GroupCar distributor West Midlands Dec-04 309 14.9 305 Bob Edmiston (100%)
14 Telegraph Media GroupNews publisher Central London Dec-03 305.4 35.6 1,148 Sir David and Sir Frederick Barclay (100%)
15 Anglian GroupHome products supplier Norwich Apr-04 †305.3 †19.0 4,826 Alchemy Partners (90%)
16 WestcoastElectronic products distributor Reading Dec-04 *302.2 *6.0 178 Joe Hemani (100%)
17 May GurneyCivil engineering contractor Norwich Mar-05 301.8 9.4 3,200 Management (80%), options pool (10%), previous owners (10%)
18 Burton’s Biscuit CompanyBiscuit and snack maker St Albans Jan-05 †298.4 †0.0 3,460 Lion Capital (100%)
19 James Hall & CoGrocery wholesaler Preston Mar-04 295.9 9 1,889 Hall family (100%)
20 WarburtonsBaker Bolton Sep-04 288.9 39.8 3,503 Warburton family (100%)
21 Fresca GroupFresh produce wholesaler Kent Apr-04 288.6 6.7 757 Mack family (55%)
22 AMP EnterprisesEntertainment goods wholesaler Newcastle-under-Lyme May-04 287.1 9 707 3i (49%), Denis Ashton (25%), Warren Mason (25%)
23 2 Sisters Food GroupFood producer Birmingham Jul-03 286.3 6.3 3,101 Baljinder and Ranjit Boparan (100%)
24 Waymade HealthcarePharmaceuticals maker Essex Dec-03 285.3 17.2 612 Patel family
25 Faccenda InvestmentsPoultry producer Northamptonshire Apr-04 280.1 8.5 2,906 Faccenda family and family trusts (100%)
26 Benfield Motor GroupCar dealer Newcastle upon Tyne Dec-03 278.9 5.7 1,098 John Squires and family (100%)
27 TravelodgeBudget hotel operator Oxfordshire Dec-03 †277.9 †31.0 9,588 Permira, management
28 DysonAppliance manufacturer Wiltshire Dec-03 277.1 43.2 1,420 James Dyson and family (100%)
29 Agnew GroupCar dealer Belfast Dec-04 *276.0 *9.0 780 Agnew family (75%), Roadfield motors (23%)
30 MalthurstPetrol station operator Essex Aug-04 †274.0 †5.0 53 Graham Peacock (24%), Susan Tobbell (24%), Brian Thompson (21%)
31 UK Car GroupCar dealer Rochdale Sep-04 273.1 11.9 1,538 Noel and Darren McKee and family (100%)
32 flybeAirline operator Exeter Mar-05 *267.3 *15.0 1,682 Walker Trust, staff, management
33 Helston GaragesCar dealer Cornwall Dec-04 *267.1 *8.0 721 David and Betty Carr (100%)
34 FenwickDepartment store operator Newcastle Upon Tyne Jan-04 264.4 31.6 2,485 Fenwick family (100%)
35 Plexus CottonCotton merchant Liverpool Dec-04 258.4 1 55 Earlam family (>50%), Textil-Imex
36 Dhamecha FoodsCash and carry wholesaler Wembley Mar-04 258.1 4.5 279 Dhamecha family (100%)
37 Randall Parker Food GroupMeat distributor Northamptonshire Sep-04 257.4 4 851 Ronald Randall (42%), W&J Parker Ltd (25%), G Shouler (14%)
38 SHS GroupBrand owner Belfast Dec-03 255.7 18.3 338 Geoff Salters and family (50%), Joe Sloan and family (50%)
39 EdringtonWhisky and rum distiller Glasgow Mar-05 *254.0 *67.0 842 The Robertson Trust (76%)
40 Bibby Line GroupConglomerate Liverpool Dec-04 253.7 17.6 3,429 Michael Bibby and family (84%)
41 JM GroupCar dealer Edinburgh Mar-05 *252.0 *4.0 1,015 John Martin and family (100%)
42 Claverley CompanyPublisher, printer Wolverhampton Dec-04 251 7 2,769 Douglas Graham and family, Roy Nominees (53%)
43 AccordOutsourced services provider Hertfordshire Jun-04 249.8 5.6 3,664 Stelio H Stefanou (100%)
44 Murray InternationalConglomerate Edinburgh Jan-04 248.5 8.8 2,917 David Murray (82%), Uberior Investments (11%), Noble Grossart (6%)
45 Fayrefield FoodsDairy product marketer Crewe Dec-04 *248.3 *3.0 177 John Kerr (88%), Richard Laird (12%)
46 The Silentnight GroupBed manufacturer Lancashire Jan-04 247.2 -11.9 4,397 Clarke family
47 RixShipping, oil distributor Hull Dec-04 246.5 2.2 568 John Rix & family (100%)
48 HalcrowEngineering consultancy West London Dec-04 244 5.1 3,865 Employees (100%)
49 WYKO (now Eriks Industrial Services)Engineering component distributor West Midlands Apr-04 243.8 -3.6 2,396

RBI (56%), management (24%), Parallel Ventures (20%)
50= Ideal StelradRadiator and boiler maker Newcastle Dec-04 243.3 15.6 2,062 Warburg Pincus
50= The Mawdsley GroupPharmaceuticals wholesaler Manchester Mar-04 243.3 3.1 510 John Mawdsley (26%), Westall family (74%)
52 SthreeRecruitment agency Central London Nov-04 242.4 15.8 808 Management and staff (75%), Barclays PE, 3i, Gresham Trust (25%)
53 Virgin MoneyBank Edinburgh Dec-04 241.3 4.1 394 Virgin Investments (100%)
54= Williams LeaPrinters Central London Sep-04 *240.9 *12.0 2,200 3i (38%), Trustees of J Graham Williams (12%)
54= Watson PetroleumFuel distributor Wiltshire Apr-05 *240.9 *3.0 342 Watson family (100%)
56 Staveley IndustriesBuilding services contractor Croydon Dec-03 240.1 3.9 2,800 Guiness Peat Group
57 Argent Group EuropeFood supplier Central London Dec-04 239.2 3.5 1,003 Cinven (57%), management (20%)
58 Dunelm MillSoft furnishings retailer Leicester Jun-04 238.9 31.7 4,173 Adderley family (100%)
59 Capper & CoGrocery wholesaler, retailer Glamorgan Apr-04 237.4 3.8 2,267 Capper family (100%)
60 Pertemps Network GroupRecruitment consultancy Warwickshire Dec-04 *236.6 *6.0 680 Tim Watts and family (51%), staff and management (49%)
61 Direct WinesWine merchant Reading Jun-04 235 5.6 721 Tony Laithwaite and family (100%)
62 Eastern Western Motor GroupCar dealer Edinburgh Dec-03 234.8 5.8 919 Douglas Brown (99%)
63 Halewood Wines and SpiritsAlcoholic drinks maker Liverpool Jun-04 234.5 2.6 932

John Halewood (90%)
64 Ballyvesey HoldingsTransport services provider County Antrim Sep-04 234.1 5 1,813 Montgomery family
65 Car GiantCar dealer West London Dec-03 233.9 1.9 520 Geoffrey Warren (100%)
66 Drive Motor RetailCar dealer Leicester Dec-04 232.9 3.5 788 Steve Bessex (50%), Paul Manning (50%)
67 BurdensBuilding materials distributor Bristol Dec-04 *231.2 *5.0 900 Management & employees (40%), Burdens charitable foundation (40%)
68 Lotus GroupTour operator South London Oct-04 230.4 11.7 500 Peter Stephens (75%), Christine Burrows (25%)
69 Lagan HoldingsConstruction materials supplier Belfast Mar-04 230.2 21.6 1,062 Kevin Lagan (55%), Michael Lagan (45%)
70 RG CarterBuilding contractor Norwich Dec-03 228.5 9.9 2,116 Robert Carter & family (99%)
71 GM CommunicationsTravel services provider Central London Mar-04 228 0.5 718 Eumitra Holdings (22%), Shigetada Nakanishi (33%), Noriaki Mito (33%)
72 Luxfer GroupEnvironmental & healthcare manufacturer Manchester Dec-04 227.1 10 2,034 CVC (25%), Morgan Grenfell (25%), management (40%)
73 CJ Lang & SonFood wholesaler, retailer Dundee Apr-04 226 3.1 1,532 Joan Scott-Adie (51%), Serena Reynolds (12%)
74 ERMEnvironmental consultancy Central London Mar-05 *225.0 *16.0 2,441 3i (57%), management
75 Foster YeomanQuarry operator Somerset May-04 221.4 10.5 797 3i (20%), Yeoman family (60%), employees (13%)
76 AllportLogistics operator West London Dec-04 221.1 3.5 1,197 John Clayton, William Toye
77 Williams GroupCar dealer Bolton Dec-04 220 6.4 468 Williams family (100%)
78 Pets At HomePet products retailer Cheshire Mar-04 219.5 14.4 1,928 Bridgepoint Capital (about 80%), managament (20%)
79 Chapman FreebornAir charter broker Gatwick Dec-04 219 1.8 381 Christopher Chapman (70%), Carol Norman (25%)
80 MotorpointCar supermarket Derby Mar-04 218.7 1.6 206 David Shelton (50%), Gary Warren (50%)
81 EVO Business SuppliesBusiness supplies distributor Sheffield Dec-04 218.5 10.8 975 Legal and General Ventures (75%), management (25%)
82 RedbridgeFruit and veg wholesaler Peterborough Sep-04 †218.4 †2.0 778 Denis Punter (46%), Roger Allmond (46%)
83 LiberataBusiness services outsourcer Central London May-04 217.5 13.9 3,335 General Atlantic Partners (> 50%), Deloitte & Touche, management
84 Homeform GroupHome improvement installer Manchester Dec-04 *216.8 *7.0 2,240 UBS nominees (78%), management (22%)
85 Stewart MilneHousebuilder Aberdeen Jun-05 216.7 20 852 Stewart Milne and family (75%)
86 Meadow FoodsDairy product producer Chester Mar-04 215.5 2.1 298 Simon Chantler (37%), David Pickering (17%), Norman Oldmeadow (14%)
87 City Refrigeration HoldingsFacilities maintenance provider Glasgow Dec-03 214.7 4.1 7,217 William and Susan Haughey (98%)
88 GondolaRestaurant operator Central London Jun-04 213.9 41.6 6,801 Capricorn Ventures, TDR Capital
89 PentagonCar dealer Derby Dec-03 212.6 2.6 394 Trevor Reeve (90%)
90 David McLeanBuilding contractor Flintshire Jun-04 212.3 8.3 526 David McLean and family (96%)
91 Loyalty Management GroupLoyalty card operator Central London Sep-04 211.1 9.3 138 Warburg Pincus, Keith Mills (80%), management
92 Park’s Motor GroupCar dealer Lanarkshire Mar-04 210.9 5.9 1,020 Douglas Park and family (100%)
93 The Turner GroupEngineering services provider Glasgow Mar-04 210.7 9.7 2,124 Turner family (75%)
94 CompAirAir, gas compressor maker Redditch Apr-05 *210.2 *0.0 1,750 Alchemy Partners (>50%), management, Invensys
95 Linden HomesHousebuilder Surrey Dec-04 210 15.8 424 Bank of Scotland PE (30%), management (70%)
96 ParfettsFood wholesaler Stockport Jun-04 209.7 3.6 473 Parfett family (100%)
97 isaOffice supplies distributor Bradford Sep-04 208.7 8.3 597 Monera (46%), Daniel Gold (35%), Brett Palos (19%)
98 Dick Lovett CompaniesCar dealer Swindon Dec-04 205.9 4.1 457 Peter Lovett and family (100%)
99 Simons GroupBuilding contractor Lincoln Mar-05 *205.5 *4.0 796 Paul and Philip Hodgkinson and family (96%)
100 PropencityBuilding services provider Bradford Dec-03 205.2 3.1 578 Philip Brierley (43%), Bernard Clarke (13%), Richard Jones (13%)
101 XMA InvestmentsComputer product distributor Nottingham Aug-04 204.2 1.9 413 Kevin Mansworth (50.1%), PF Lowe (22.3%), MJ Barton (14.3%)
102 TJ HughesDepartment store operator Liverpool Jan-05 *203.4 *7.0 3,379 PPM Capital, management
103 Sigma PharmaceuticalsPharmaceutical distributor Watford Aug-04 201.7 4.5 175

Bharat Shah and family (66%)
104 Adams ChildrenswearChildrenswear retailer Warwickshire Jul-03 †201.3 †4.0 4,217 Bridgepoint (60%), LDC (15%), Michael Hobbs (7%), Dean Murray (5%)
105 Rubicon Partners IndustriesIndustrial conglomerate Doncaster Dec-04 *200.8 *3.0 1,538 Cinven funds (90%), Rubicon (6%)
106 AveciaChemical products maker Manchester Dec-04 *200.1 *-44.0 1,500 Cinven (50%), Investcorp (50%)
107 MorsonEngineering recruitment agency Manchester Dec-03 199.1 5.8 222 Barclays Capital (>50%), Ged Mason, management
108 Freightliner GroupRail haulage operator Central London Mar-04 199 19 1,496 3i (30%), Electra (30%), management and staff (40%)
109= Tussauds GroupLeisure attraction operator Southwest London Jan-05 *198.1 *26.0 3,553 Dubai International Capital, management
109= NHPCare home property developer Woking Sep-04 198.1 64.2 6,057 Blackstone Capital Partners (>50%), management
111 dabs.comOnline IT retailer Lancashire Mar-04 197 5.5 381 David Atherton (100%)
112 OsborneBuilder, engineering contractor Reigate Mar-04 196.5 1.6 855 Osborne family
113 Haymarket GroupMagazine publisher West London Dec-04 196 15 1,551 Lord Heseltine and family
114 PoundlandDiscount retailer West Midlands Mar-04 195.5 10.5 3,022 Advent International (78%), David Dodd (12%), Rob Adams (5%)
115 NorcrosShower and tile maker Cheshire Mar-05 *198.4 *19.0 2,000 Bridgepoint Capital
116 McNicholasInfrastructure service provider Elstree, Herts Mar-04 194.2 3 1,959 McNicholas family
117 Tennants ConsolidatedChemicals supplier Central London Dec-04 193.5 7.2 898 Alexander family
118 Stan JamesBookmaker Oxfordshire Dec-03 193.1 3.7 160 Fisher family
119 Fitness FirstFitness club operator Poole Oct-03 †191.5 †25.0 8,179 BC Partners
120= RH PattersonCar dealer Newcastle upon Tyne Dec-04 *190.9 *2.0 324 Cliff Thornton (19%), Ashley Winter (19%), GI Redpath (13%)
120= Blackwell PublishingAcademic publisher Oxford Dec-04 190.9 29.3 935 Blackwell family, led by Nigel Blackwell
122 BoothsSupermarket operator Preston Mar-04 189.5 6.9 2,541 Booth family
123 PeoplesCar dealer Edinburgh Jul-04 188.9 0.7 649 Brian Gilda (83%), Stewart Ramsay (17%)
124 JeyesCleaning products maker Cambridge Mar-04 187.8 10.5 1,697 Legal and General Ventures, IWP International, management
125 J&J HaslettFood wholesaler Belfast Dec-04 187.4 2.1 389 Management (100%)
126 G’sSalad and vegetable grower Cambridgeshire Apr-04 186.3 6.5 4,742 Shropshire family (100%)
127 Barrett SteelSteel stockholder Bradford Sep-04 186.2 20.9 920 Management
128 Blackwell’sBookshops, library supplier Oxford Jun-04 186 -6.9 1,349 Blackwell family & trusts (86%)
129 MediaVestAdvertising agency Manchester Feb-04 185.9 2.4 137 Starcom Mediavest (20%), A Jeal (35%), D Lucas (35%)
130 TJ MorrisDiscount retailer Liverpool Jun-04 185.8 12.6 1,879 Thomas Morris (95%)
131 ArchantNewspaper, magazine publisher Norwich Dec-04 *185.6 *33.0 2,560 Majority owned by East Anglian families, staff and former staff
132 MaceConstruction project manager Central London Dec-04 *182.8 *5.0 1,455 ZRH Nominees (40%), Bob White (13%), Stephen Pycroft (9%)
133 CALA GroupBuilder Edinburgh Jun-04 182.5 14.1 374 Management, led by Geoff Ball (70%), HBOS (30%)
134= Epwin GroupBuilding product supplier Cheltenham Dec-04 182.4 15.8 2,258 Jim Rawson (61%), Regent Trust Co (27%)
134= Seddon GroupBuilding contractor Cheshire Dec-04 182.4 7.4 1,507 Seddon family (100%)
136 Portman TravelTravel services provider Southwest London Dec-04 181.5 3.3 436 Various trust funds, Bridgepoint Capital, employees (11%)
137= ArcoSafety equipment supplier Hull Feb-04 181.4 3.5 1,759 Stephen and Thomas Martin (78%)
137= Berry Bros & RuddWine and spirit merchant Central London Mar-04 181.4 7 321 John Rudd and family (41%), Ernest Elliot (18%)
139 HeadcrownBuilding contractor Central London Sep-04 180.5 6.6 619 Carl Brian and family
140= Scaid InvestmentsMobile home maker Hull Apr-04 180.3 21.5 1,506 Bank of Scotland (30%), management (70%)
140= Adare GroupPrinting services provider Dublin Oct-04 180.3 9.6 1,399 Allen McGuire & partners, Nelson Loane
142 Glenvarigill CompanyCar dealer Edinburgh Dec-03 179.2 -3.3 468 Tim Bartlett (80%), Uberior Investments (20%)
143 ChangeGroupBureaux de change operator Central London Dec-04 178.8 1.5 188 M Zackariya-Marikar (48%), 3i (22%), B Zackariya (22%)
144 Unwins Wine GroupOff-licence operator Dartford Feb-04 178.6 0 2,307 DM Private Equity (100%)
145 Hendy GroupCar dealer Southampton Dec-04 177.5 3.6 905 Hendy family (79%)
146 TC HarrisonCar dealer Derbyshire Dec-04 177 5 652 Irelrop Investments (31%), Harrison and Moore families (64%)
147 Peter’s Food ServiceFood producer, distributor Caerphilly May-04 176.3 -5.5 1,603 Griffiths family
148 Dew PitchmasticConstruction contractor Sheffield Oct-04 175.9 1.9 550 Company trust, Grayson family (>50%)
149 HarrattsCar dealer Wakefield Dec-04 175.5 2 386 Derek Harratt & family (100%)
150 British SeafoodSeafood wholesaler Central London Dec-03 175.4 7.4 326 Controlled by the Holyoake family (100%)
151 Drayton GroupCar dealer West Midlands Dec-04 174.1 4.8 396 Guest family (82%), Ken & Jane Forbes (18%)
152 Chelsea StoresToy retailer Central London May-04 174 4.4 2,665 Rhone Capital, DC Thomson & Co, Tim Waterstone
153= Macdonald HotelsHotel operator West Lothian Sep-04 †173.7 †23.0 4,984 Uberior Investments (50%), management (50%)
153= The Denholm GroupShipping and oilfield services provider Glasgow Dec-03 173.7 1 1,194 Denholm Brown family
155 Stirling GroupClothing, accessories supplier Cheshire Mar-04 172.7 6.7 1,190 LDC (70%), management (30%)
156 DanoptraGaming, leisure operator Leeds Sep-04 171.2 12 5,055 Electra Partners (88%)
157 Higgins GroupHousebuilder Essex Jul-04 171 9.3 507 Higgins family (86%)
158 Caledonia Motor GroupCar dealer Cheshire Dec-03 170.5 -2.2 570 Paul Batty and Simon Gardner (100%)
159 McLaren GroupRacing team and sports car maker Surrey Oct-03 169.8 3.7 1,110 Daimler-Chrysler Ag (40%), TAG Group (30%), Ron Dennis (30%)
160 Brunner MondChemical maker Cheshire Dec-03 169.6 9.9 1,094 Wayland Investment Fund (44%), Barclays (19%), West LB (10%)
161= Attends Healthcare GroupIncontinence products maker Newcastle Nov-04 169.4 7.2 1,036 Mayflower LP (43%), 3i (23%)
161= Vue Entertainment InternationalCinema operator West London Jun-04 169.4 9 2,300 LGV (31%), Boston Ventures (36%), Clarity Partners (20%), LDC (9%)
163 Manchester UnitedFootball club operator Manchester Jul-04 169.1 29.9 504 Malcolm Glazer (98%)
164 Odeon & UCI Cinemas GroupCinema operator Central London Dec-04 168.4 26 3,139 Terra Firma (>50%)
165= TCGMetal components maker Oxford Dec-04 168.3 11.8 2,424 Vision Capital (50%), Tobias Seige (9%)
165= Dean & DyballBuilding, engineering contractor Hampshire Dec-04 168.3 2 1,020 Dyball family (68%), management
165= EsportaHealth club operator Berkshire Sep-04 168.3 8.4 4,213 Duke Street Capital (>50%), Electra Investment Trust
168 The Watches of Switzerland GroupJewellery retailer Leicester Jan-05 168 12.4 1,600 Baugur group (35%), Jurek Piasecki (15%), management (50%)
169 The Entertainment GroupFilm distributor Central London Mar-04 167.4 48.4 28 Nigel Green (50%), Trevor Green (50%)
170 The John Clark Motor GroupCar dealer Aberdeen Dec-04 *167.1 *2.0 511 John & Deidre Clark (75%), 3i (25%)
171 BiwaterWater services provider Surrey Mar-05 165.3 4.8 1,271 Adrian White and family (70%), Leslie Jones and family (30%)
172 Snax 24Fuel forecourt operator Hertfordshire Sep-04 164.1 2.2 240 Ronson family trust (100%)
173 Brooklyn MotorsCar dealer Worcestershire Dec-04 163.6 1 493 Hill family (100%)
174 Elite MobileMobile phone wholesaler North London Dec-03 162.5 0 87 Gokani and Dhamecha families
175 DC ThomsonNewspaper, comic publisher Dundee Mar-04 162.4 17.7 1,938 Thomson family
176 AssetCoEquipment manager Reading Mar-04 162.1 10.4 297 Michael Olive (65%), Paul Reilly (15%), J Eddy (10%), P Lewin (10%)
177 Leisure Link GroupGaming machine supplier Staffordshire Sep-04 161.7 2.7 2,380 Henderson Global Investors, Duke Street Capital
178 Albion Chemicals GroupChemical distributor Leeds Dec-04 161.5 7.1 842 N Batchelor (27%), W Cortazzi (27%), S Holland (17%), P Savage (17%)
179 Gartland Whalley & BarkerBusiness developer West Yorkshire Oct-04 159.9 13.3 1,724 Ty Gartland (59%), CVC (13%), J Barker (11%), J Whalley (8%)
180 Daniel ThwaitesBrewer Lancashire Mar-05 *159.6 *20.0 2,479 Ann Yerburgh (30%), Albany Trustees (18%), Britannic Assurance (9%)
181 CraegmoorCare home operator Worcester Dec-03 158.6 15.7 7,614 Legal & General Ventures, LDC
182 EnconInsulation distributor West Yorkshire Aug-04 158.5 6.9 756 3i, Douglas McKerracher, Philip Kirk, other management
183 Towers ThompsonFood distributor Hertfordshire Dec-04 158.3 1.7 213 Alan Thompson (28%), Terry Goddard (20%), Dennis Clark (15%)
184 Southern Cross HealthcareResidential care provider Darlington Mar-04 157.8 9.1 6,601 Blackstone Capital Partners (>50%)
185 Arsenal HoldingsFootball club operator North London May-04 156.9 10.3 271 D Fiszman (25.1%), D Dein (14.6%), Nina Bracewell-Smith (15.6%)
186 Radius Payment SolutionsFuel card manager Crewe Mar-04 156.8 1 85 John Dunning (34%), Nommac Ltd (34%), William Holmes (32%)
187 MK AirlinesFreight aircraft operator East Sussex Dec-04 †156.1 †6.0 173 Northcote private equity (100%)
188 FilshillFood wholesaler Glasgow Jan-05 155.6 2 275 Ronald Hannah (64%), Fraser Harrison
189= Priory GroupSpecialist healthcare provider Surrey Mar-04 *155.4 *29.0 4,168 ABN Amro (80%), management (20%)
189= Ferndale FoodsReady-meals producer Somerset Dec-04 155.4 6.8 2,028 John Bigwood (88%), P A Bigwood (12%)
191 Heath LambertInsurance broker Central London Dec-04 *154.7 *7.0 1,972 RBS, Credit Suisse, Morgan Stanley, Cargill, staff and management
192 The Edinburgh Woollen MillClothing retailer Dumfriesshire Feb-04 153.6 12 3,390 Philip Day (54%), Uberior Investments (26%)
193 Toomey GroupCar dealer Essex Dec-04 152.9 5.2 467 Michael Toomey (100%)
194 Jarvis HotelsHotel operator High Wycombe Mar-05 152.6 12 4,534 Kayterm Equity Partners
195 Ethel AustinClothing retailer Liverpool Aug-04 152.5 13 1,614 ABN Amro (56%), Lloyds Development Capital, management
196 BarrBuilder, civil engineer Paisley Mar-04 152.4 4.9 879 Barr family, West Register Investments, Anthony Rush
197 Chelsea Football ClubFootball club Southwest London Jun-04 152.1 -81.9 644 Roman Abramovich (100%)
198= OfficeTeamOffice supplies distributor Croydon Dec-04 *151.0 *15.0 1,120 Hermes Private Equity (>50%)
198= Sterling InsuranceInsurance underwriter Southwest London Aug-05 151 8 256 Nicholas Cooper (90%)
200 CPP GroupConsumer protection insurer York Dec-04 150.7 3.4 1,472 Hamish Ogston (99.9%)
201 Donnelly GroupCar dealer County Tyrone Mar-05 *149.9 *3.0 305 Terence Donnelly
202 Midas GroupBuilder Bristol Apr-04 148.8 4.7 434 Stephen Hindley (45%), Leonard Lewis (33%), Michael Hocking (22%)
203 Morris GroupHousebuilder Cheshire Mar-05 *148.3 *35.0 327 Mike Gaskell (38%), Quayle Munro (25%), RBS (14%), B Norman (11%)
204 Hit EntertainmentChildren's entertainment producer Central London Jul-04 148.1 18.5 412 Apax Partners
205 Jump GroupProperty retailer Leeds Apr-04 146.7 0.7 150 Jason Butler (77.5%), B P Marsh & Partners (22.5%)
206 PDM GroupMeat processor / energy Doncaster Mar-04 146.1 -4.1 1,050 Anthony de Mulder and family (100%)
207 Alexander Mann SolutionsRecruitment consultancy Central London Sep-04 146 2.1 145 Advent International, management and staff
208= Styles & WoodRetail property manager Cheshire Dec-03 145.2 4.9 235 Aberdeen Murray Johnstone Private Equity (40%), management (60%)
208= Brett GroupBuilding materials supplier Canterbury Dec-04 145.2 6.3 926 Brett family
210 The Emerson GroupBuilder, property developer Cheshire Apr-05 *145.0 *65.0 813 Audrey & Peter Jones (51%), family trusts (49%)
211 M&CoClothing and homeware retailer Inchinnan, near Glasgow Feb-05 *144.7 *15.0 2,769 McGeoch family (90%)
212 CastlemoreConstruction contractor Midlands Sep-04 144.1 21.3 38 Grahame Whateley and family (100%)
213 Whyte & MacKayWhisky distiller, distributor Glasgow Sep-04 142.9 8.7 632 Vivian Imerman, Robert Tchenguiz & families (100%)
214 MidwichAudio-visual equipment supplier Norfolk Dec-04 142.8 2.6 131 Nicholas Culley (60%), John Pye (10%)
215 Mabey HoldingsBridges, steel, plant hirer Reading Sep-04 142.7 26.2 1,131 Mabey family (99%)
216 BridiscoElectrical appliance distributor North London Mar-04 142.4 3.4 834 Joseph Sopher (54%), Susan Moses (31%)
217 Simclar GroupElectronic component maker Dunfermline Dec-03 141.8 7 1,863 Samuel Russell (90%), Christina Russell (10%)
218 LDVCommercial vehicle maker Birmingham Dec-03 141.1 -12.5 932 3i, Baring English Growth Fund, European Acquisition Capital
219= NES Global TalentEngineering recruitment consultancy Altrincham Oct-04 *140.9 *5.0 195 Bridgepoint Capital (>50%), Geoff Lloyd, Bryan Sullivan
219= McNicholas plcUtility infrastructure contractor Northwest London Dec-04 140.9 0.2 1,468 Bernard McNicholas and management (100%)
221= HSS Hire GroupTool and equipment hirer Heathrow Jul-03 *140.7 *3.0 2,266 3i (>50%), management
221= Sunseeker InternationalYacht builder Poole Dec-04 140.7 5 1,258 John and Robert Braithwaite (80%)
223 Stead & SimpsonShoe retailer Leicester Jan-05 140.3 9.8 3,544 Development Securities (39%), J Shannon (30%), D Lockyer (17%)
224 Gordon Lamb GroupCar dealer Chesterfield Dec-04 139.5 1.6 374 Lamb family (>90%)
225 YoungsGrocery wholesaler Leeds Dec-04 *138.7 *1.0 248 Furness family (50%), Lynn Bell (50%)
226 Furniture VillageFurniture retailer Slough Mar-05 138.5 6.1 566 David Imrie (30%), Peter Harrison (30%), Uberior Investments (26%)
227 Lamex Food GroupFood importer and exporter Hertfordshire Mar-04 138.4 1.7 98 Guernsey Nominees (31%), P & M Wallace (32%), C Dicker (17%)
228= Sinclair GroupCar dealer Port Talbot Jan-04 137.4 4 463 Gerald Sinclair & family (100%)
228= DoyleConstruction contractor Hertfordshire Dec-04 137.4 4.3 371 Stefanos Stefanou (100%)
228= Whittan Storage SystemsStorage equipment manufacturer Telford Mar-05 137.4 9.9 1,061 Permira (84%), management (16%)
231 Greenvale APPotato grower Cambridgeshire Jun-05 135.8 5 750 Management (100%)
232 Tullis RussellPaper maker Fife Mar-04 135.7 3.9 840 Employees (100%)
233 The Little GroupBook, film and music wholesaler Eastbourne Feb-05 *135.2 *7.0 931 Yvette Stafford (30%), Jonathan Little (30%), Andrew Little (30%)
234= The Accessory PeopleIT, telecom accessory provider Surrey Sep-04 134.5 -1.1 23 Nasir Khan (71%)
234= Rotary GroupMechanical, electrical engineer County Antrim Jan-04 134.5 6.1 1,539 Jennings family (100%)
236= GK GroupCar dealer Chesterfield Dec-04 134.3 1.9 517 David & George Kenning & family (>75%)
236= James WalkerTimber merchant West Lothian Mar-04 134.3 7.2 800 Walker family
238 Grahams ToiletriesToiletries wholesaler Lancashire Dec-04 134.1 2.6 1,599 Graham Blackledge (50%), Margaret Blackledge (50%)
239 Interfloor GroupFlooring product maker Lancashire May-04 134 4.4 895 Rutland fund (82%)
240 Stoneacre Motor GroupCar dealer Doncaster Apr-04 133.5 6.8 523 Richard and Christine Teatum (100%)
241 Wogen GroupMetals trader Central London Sep-04 133 10.1 48 Colin Williams (56%), Allan Kerr (13%), Peter Watkins (13%)
242 JenningsCar dealer Tyne and Wear Dec-03 132.3 1.9 605 Alan Bentley (75%), management
243 Pentagon Mercedes-BenzCar dealer Hampshire Dec-04 132.2 2.7 353 Michael Tebbutt (45%), Michael Wilson (45%), Paul Tolley (7%)
244 Clancy DocwraContractor and developer Uxbridge Mar-04 131.8 2.3 1,489 Clancy family (100%)
245 Independent Clinical ServicesHealthcare recruiter Central London Dec-04 *131.7 *9.0 358 Bridgepoint Capital, Hg Capital, Fidelity, management
246 Ogilvie GroupVehicle lessor Stirling Jun-04 130.9 2 425 Ogilvie family (100%)
247 Target ExpressExpress courier Cheshire Apr-04 130.4 10.9 1,781 3i (70%), management (30%)
248 Snows Motor GroupCar dealer Southampton Dec-04 130 1.2 393 Geoffrey Snow (50%), Stephen Snow (28%)
249 TullochConstruction contractor Inverness Dec-04 129 8.9 906 Inverness Holdings (51%), David Sutherland and family (49%)
250 QS GroupClothing retailer Brighton Jan-04 †128.9 †3.0 2,556 Consortium of private investors including Serge Khela

* supplied by Company   † annualised figure   ‡  profit = ebitda