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Research Report 2015Britain's private mid-market growth companies

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© 2015 Top Track 250 fasttrack.co.uk

Top Track 250 Research Report 2015 i

CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION 1The Top 10 companies on the league table 1

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 2 KEY STATISTICS 3Sales breakdown 3 Biggest sales movement 3Staff and job creation 4Profitability 5Highest profits 5 Profit margin 5Ownership 6 Debt 7Sector breakdown 8Industry breakdown 8 Regional breakdown 9International activity 10 Mergers and acquisitions 11 Private equity 12Companies exiting from last year's league table 13 Eleven years of Top Track 250 14

KEY THEMES & SELECTED COMPANY PROFILES 16 Dynamic companies 16 Northern Powerhouse 17 Automotive 18 Trade infrastructure 19 Innovation 20 Social responsibility 21 Brands 22

2015 TOP TRACK 250 LEAGUE TABLE 23

ONES TO WATCH 33

THE RULES OF ENGAGEMENT 34

SPONSORS AND MEDIA PARTNER 35

ABOUT FAST TRACK 37 Compiler and publisher 37 The authors 37 Fast Track 38

CONTACT DETAILS 38


Top Track 250 Research Report 2015 1

INTRODUCTION

This is the eleventh year of The Sunday Times Top Track 250 league table, which ranks Britain’s leading private mid-market growth companies by sales. The league table has title sponsorship from Grant Thornton, and main sponsorship from Barclays.

The league table is the sister publication of Top Track 100, which identifies Britain’s 100 private companies with the biggest sales. Top Track 250 ranks the 250 next biggest private companies,which qualify for the league table provided either sales or operating profits have increased by at least 10% in their latest available accounts.

This year’s league table identifies many mid-market growth companies that have grown by managing risk and choosing the right strategic options, as well as companies that make a clear contribution to the communities in which they are based. Some are household names such as Chelsea Football Club (No 69), Nando's (No 14), Pret A Manger (No 5) and The White Company (No 209). Many more are operating successfully in sectors that range from building and construction to retail and manufacturing.

All have faced challenges, from weakness in emerging markets to growing shortages in skilled staff at home. Their resilience and resourcefulness give cause for confidence in the continued growth of the UK economy, including in the North of England.

Top 10 companies on the league table

* supplied by the company

CEO Mark Whitworth from Peel Ports Group (No 1) is leading the £300m development of deep water container terminal Liverpool2

1 26 Peel Ports Group Port services provider Liverpool Mar 15 *616.1 -1% *137.3 12% 2,649 John Whittaker & family (50.1%),

RREEF Infrastructure (49.9%)

2 The Miller Group Housebuilder & construction services Edinburgh Dec 14 611.1 -19% 25.2 98% 1,045 GSO Capital Partners (Blackstone) (56%), Lloyds

& RBS (31%), Miller family & employees (13%)

3 33 The John Clark Motor Group Car dealer Aberdeen Dec 14 604.1 28% 12.3 39% 1,031 John Clark & family (100%)

4 14 Faccenda Investments Poultry producer Northamptonshire Apr 14 597.3 11% 43 35% 3,294 Faccenda family & family trusts (100%)

5 23 Pret A Manger Sandwich shop operator Central London Jan 15 593.6 16% 28.7 21% 8,750 Bridgepoint (65%), founders &

management (35%)

6 17 WSH Catering & restaurant business Reading Dec 14 590.7 10% 24.6 6% 13,278 Alastair Storey & family (78%), Intermediate

Capital (14%), management (8%)

7 34 The Range Discount retailer Plymouth Jan 15 *564.9 20% *56.9 25% 6,634 Chris Dawson & family (100%)

8 36 Motorpoint Car supermarket Derby Mar 15 *564.5 22% *12.9 39% 559 David Shelton (95%), Paul Winfield (5%)

9 91 First Utility Energy supplier Warwick Dec 14 562.2 98% 11.6 48% 477 Management & employees (55%),

others (45%)

10 Ballyvesey HoldingsTransport services provider County Antrim Sep 14 561.2 14% 5.2 -23% 2,582 Montgomery family (100%)

Rank2015

Rank2014

Sales £m

Sales growth

Year endHQ locationActivity

CompanyStaff Main shareholders

OP growth

OP £m



EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Overview

• This year’s Top Track 250 companies generated combined sales of £69bn, up 17% from a combined £58.9bn in their prior year

• Companies employed a total of 347,000 staff in their latest financial year, an 9% increase of 29,000 on their prior year. More than four fifths (210) of companies increased their headcount

• Companies had combined operating profits of £4.0bn, up 38% from £2.9bn, and three quarters (185) of companies increased their operating margin

• 79 companies are owned by a founder or entrepreneur, 72 are family-owned, and 71 are majority-owned by one or more private equity firms

• The highest number of companies on the league table are based in the North (62), followed by London (53)

Key themes

Dynamic companies: More than a quarter (69) of companies increased their profit by at least 10% in the latest year despite sales growth of less than 10% or falling sales. Some identified operational efficiencies, whereas others diversified their business model or grew overseas. [Page 16]

Northern Powerhouse: The North of England represents the biggest region on the league table. Northern companies reported combined sales up 17% to £17.2bn, profits up 42% to £870m, and employees up 15% to 93,000 people. [Page 17]

Automotive: Car sales have been rising for nearly four years, and this year 59 automotive businesses make the list. Companies range from car dealers to distributors and manufacturers. [Page 18]

Trade infrastructure: Britain is investing to improve its transport and communications infrastructure. There are 33 construction, transport and telecoms services companies on the league table working hard to achieve this. [Page 19]

Innovation: The ability to innovate is a key attribute for many companies. Some are investing in hi-tech production or the software driving their services to differentiate themselves, while others are working in fast-moving industries, such as IT. [Page 20]

Social responsibility: In addition to the 347,000 people that the league table companies employ and train, companies are supporting the communities in which they are based. [Page 21]

Brands: The league table contains a wide selection of retail and consumer brands such as Pret A Manger and The White Company. Many have diversified away from the high street, whilst others are tapping into overseas markets for growth. [Page 22]

Levels of sales

Number of companies in each range

21

>£600m

£500m-£600m

£400m–£500m

£300m–£400m

£200m–£300m

<£200m

27

72

99

3

28

Levels of profit

Number of companies in each range

>£100m

£80m–£100m

£60m–£80m

£40m–£60m

£20m–£40m

£10m–£20m

£0–£10m

27

22

2

3

4

Latest OP not available: 1

65

126

Characteristics of a typical Top Track 250 company

SalesAverage sales in latest year £275.8m

Average sales in prior year £235.5m

Operating profitAverage profit in latest year £16.2m

Average profit in prior year £11.7m

StaffTypical headcount in latest year 500-2,000

Typical headcount in prior year 450-1,750

Company characteristicsRegion North (25%)

Sector Retail (37%)

Industry Automotive (24%)

Ownership Entrepreneur and/or founder (32%)



KEY STATISTICS

Sales breakdown

Buoyed by an improving British economy, and league table criteria that places an emphasis on sales or profit growth, most (184) companies reported sales that increased by at least 10% in their latest financial year. This year’s companies generated combined sales of £69bn compared with £58.9bn in their prior year, an increase of 17%. Ports services provider Peel Ports Group (No 1) had the highest sales on the league table at £616.1m, and the highest operating profits at £137.3m. Value retailer The Works (No 250) had the lowest sales at £141.7m.

Biggest sales movement

Many companies reporting growth this year operate in services. The biggest sales increase was reported by sporting events manager Byrom (No 151). Founded by Mexican brothers Jaime, 59, and Enrique Byrom, 62, the Cheshire group provides accommodation, ticketing and IT services for clients such as Fifa. A busy year that included the Heineken Cup Final, the European Ryder Cup and the Fifa World Cup contributed to a 231% leap in turnover to £201m in 2014.

Acquisitions have also helped to increase top line performance. Based in Harrogate, Principal Hotels (No 76) was acquired by private equity firm Starwood Capital in 2013 for a reported £360m. The following year, Starwood bought the De Vere Venues and Four Pillars businesses for a reported £320m, before integrating them into the Principal group. Led by CEO Tony Troy, 53, sales increased 84% to £308.2m in 2014.

Smaller independent energy companies have been increasing their share of the market despite continued domination from the big six suppliers. Two of the fastest-growing companies on the league table include energy suppliers First Utility (No 9), which increased sales 98% to £562.2m in 2014, and Ovo Energy (No 63), which also increased sales by 98% to £339m in 2014. Sales in both cases are commission and fees from energy contracts sold.

Car dealers dominate the league table, with all 51 increasing sales in their latest year. The biggest mover was Vantage Motor Group (No 188): improving market conditions, along with the acquisition of 10 sites in 2013, helped sales increase 66% to £173.9m in 2014.

Rank Company Activity

Year end

Sales £m

Sales increase

151 Byrom Sporting events management Sep 14 201.0 231%

103 Spencer Group Engineering services provider Mar 14 255.6 169%

133 Solarcentury Solar technology developer Mar 15 222.3 104%

9 First Utility Energy supplier Dec 14 562.2 98%

63 Ovo Energy Energy supplier Dec 14 339.0 97%

40 Motor Fuel Group Fuel forecourt operator Dec 14 442.5 85%

104 Watkin Jones Group Property developer Sep 14 255.2 85%

76 Principal Hotels Hotel operator Dec 14 308.2 84%

21 CALA Group Builder Jun 15 511.6 79%

175 NewDay Credit card operator Dec 14 179.5 70%

10 biggest sales increases


Year end

Sales £m

Sales decrease

2 The Miller Group Housebuilder & construction services Dec 14 611.1 -19%

206 Kent Foods Food distributor Dec 14 165.2 -11%

17 Lissan Coal Company Energy distributor Sep 14 530.5 -8%

38 Rix Shipping, oil distributor Dec 14 453.2 -8%

241 Chain Reaction Cycles Online bike retailer Dec 13 144.9 -7%

194 AH Worth Farmer & food distributor May 14 171.4 -7%

97 The Grass Roots Group Business services provider Dec 14 259.6 -6%

37 LINPAC Packaging maker Dec 14 453.8 -5%

232 Filshill Food wholesaler Jan 15 151.3 -4%

245 Park Garage Group Fuel forecourt operator Jun 14 143.6 -4%

10 biggest sales decreasesAll of these companies increased operating profit by more than 10% to qualify for the league table



Staff and job creation

Companies employed a total of 347,000 staff in their latest financial year, an increase of 29,000, or 9%, compared to their prior year.

Highlighting the positive economic outlook, 210 companies increased headcount. The biggest percentage increase was at energy supplier Ovo Energy (No 63), which expanded its workforce 143% to 600 to cope with growing demand for its services as it went head to head with the big six energy suppliers.

The second biggest absolute change was at Principal Hotels (No 76), which boosted its workforce by 2,818 to 5,857 following the integration of the De Vere Venues and Four Pillars businesses, acquired for a reported £320m by private equity majority shareholder Starwood Capital.

There are 99 companies with more than 1,000 employees on this year's league table. Examples include bookmaker Betfred (No 28), which has 6,225 employees; outdoor advertiser Exterion Media (No 59), which has 1,077 employees; and restaurant operator Prezzo (No 164), which has 3,638.

Number of employeesNumber of companies in each range

11

310,001-15,000

5,001-10,000

2,001-5,000

1,001-2,000

501-1,000

1-500

51

34

73

78



Profitability

Top Track 250 companies are required to be in profit in their most recent financial period. Profit is defined as operating profit before exceptional items, joint ventures and impairment of assets. The companies generated combined profits of £4.0bn, an increase of 38% on the previous year.

Highest profits

As previously mentioned, Port services provider Peel Ports (No 1) reported the biggest operating profit: £137.3m on sales of £616.1m in 2015.

Insurance companies have some of the biggest profits on the table, with BGL Group (No 22), the company behind price comparison website comparethemarket.com, generating profits of £102.5m in 2014 on sales of £507.2m.

Housebuilders are also faring well, with retirement property specialist McCarthy & Stone (No 35) reporting profits of £95.3m in 2015 on sales of £470.4m; and CALA Group (No 21) reporting profits of £73m in 2015 on sales of £511.6m.

Profit margin

Almost three quarters of companies (185) increased their operating margin in the latest year. Examples include budget hotel operator Travelodge (No 25), which managed a recovery in its margins from 1.3% to 6.1%; diagnostic imaging services provider Alliance Medical (No 142), where margins increased from 11.5% to 16.4%; and caravan park operator Park Resorts (No 124), which improved its margin from 13.1% to 25.2%.

Mobile phone distributor Brandpath Group (No 235) recorded the lowest operating margin at 0.3%. The company increased sales 13% to £149.2m in 2014 with operating profits of only £0.5m – also the lowest on the league table. The group was formed last year by entrepreneur and Dragons’ Den star Peter Jones, 49, who merged four of his existing technology companies - Expansys, Data Select, DSNS and PJMedia.

There are 51 car dealers on the league table with profit margins ranging from 0.8% to 8%. The car dealer with the lowest margin is Jennings (No 191) with profits of £1.3m on sales of £172.4m, representing a margin of 0.8%. The dealer with the highest margin is Car Giant (No 36) with profits of £36.8m on sales of £465.9m, representing a margin of 7.9%.


Year end

Sales £m

Profit £m

1 Peel Ports Group Port facilities provider Mar 15 616.1 137.3

13 Graff Jeweller Dec 14 537.0 120.2

22 BGL Group Insurance intermediary Jun 14 507.2 102.5

35 McCarthy & Stone Retirement house builder Aug 15 470.4 95.3

82 Affinity Water Water utility Mar 15 291.4 85.9

21 CALA Group Builder Jun 15 511.6 73.0

33 IM Group Car distributor Dec 14 471.6 72.4

12 The Edinburgh Woollen Mill Clothing retailer Mar 14 551.9 70.9

76 Principal Hotels Hotel operator Dec 14 308.2 62.1

124 Park Resorts Caravan park operator Dec 14 230.0 57.9

Biggest operating profits

Biggest operating profit margins


Year end

Sales £m

Profit margin

221 Fairview New Homes Housebuilder Dec 14 157.0 34%

82 Affinity Water Water utility Mar 15 291.4 29%

124 Park Resorts Caravan park operator Dec 14 230.0 25%

173 Dawsongroup Asset rental operator Dec 14 181.3 25%

149 Foster + Partners Architectural consultancy Apr 15 205.2 24%

13 Graff Jeweller Dec 14 537.0 22%

1 Peel Ports Group Port facilities provider Mar 15 616.1 22%

35 McCarthy & Stone Retirement house builder Aug 15 470.4 20%

22 BGL Group Insurance intermediary Jun 14 507.2 20%

76 Principal Hotels Hotel operator Dec 14 308.2 20%


Year end

Sales £m

Profit margin

235 Brandpath Group Mobile phone distributor Apr 14 149.2 0.3%

120 Bibendum PLB Group Wine importer & distributor Mar 15 233.8 0.4%

18 Brookfield Rose Temporary workforce provider Dec 13 528.0 0.4%

101 Essence Digital marketing agency Mar 15 256.5 0.4%

191 Jennings Car dealer Dec 14 172.4 0.8%

5 lowest profit margins



Majority ownership

Founder or entrepreneur-owned79 companies are majority-owned by entrepreneurs or founders. Examples include discount retailer The Range (No 7), which is majority-owned by founder Chris Dawson; home accessories retailer The White Company (No 209) which is owned by Chrissie Rucker; and jeweller Graff (No 13), owned by Laurence Graff and his wife.

Family-owned72 companies on the Top Track 250 are family-owned. Examples include clothing manufacturer Barbour (No 203), owned by Dame Margaret Barbour and family; flour miller Whitworth Bros (No 96), owned by Martin George and family; vehicle lessor Ogilvie group (No 153), owned by Duncan Ogilvie and family; and dairy nutrition supplier Volac (No 116), owned by director Patricia Neville and family.

Private equity-owned71 companies on the Top Track 250 are majority-owned by private-equity firms. Examples include shoe manufacturer, Dr Martens (No 144), which was bought by Permira in 2013 in a £300m deal; minicab and courier services provider Addison Lee (No 117), which was sold by the Griffin family to private equity firm Carlyle Group for a reported £348m in 2013; and electronic equipment retailer Maplin (No 111), which was acquired by Rutland Partners from Montagu Private Equity for £85m in June last year.

Management-owned26 companies are majority-owned by management. Examples include risk consultancy Control Risks (No 136), which is led by chief executive Richard Fenning, and backed by NVM Private Equity; building products supplier Taylor Maxwell (No 171) – managing director Martin Rudge led a management buyout of the group in 2006; automotive engineer Sertec (No 174), which is led by chairman Graham Mosedale; and building products distributor Arran Isle (No 145), which is led by chief executive Robert Barr.

Employee-ownedTwo companies are majority-owned by their employees: Construction consultancy Turner & Townsend (No 55); and the newly merged insurance broker and underwriter Hyperion Insurance Group (No 157).

Majority ownership types

Number of companies by ownership type

Employees 2

Management 26

Entrepreneur and/or founder 79

PE and/or VC 71

Family 72



Debt

Mid-market companies continue to have extensive borrowings from banks and private equity shareholders. The combined long and short-term debt of the 250 companies is £19.7bn, compared to £18.3bn owed the year before.

There are two companies with more that £1bn of debt, compared to four last year. Peel Ports Group (No 1) reported that it had borrowings of £1.3bn in 2014, the highest on the league table. At the time of publication, its debts in 2015 were unavailable. Dental care provider mydentist (No 15) reported loans of about £1bn, 48 times its operating profits of £21.5m in 2015.

The company with the biggest debt-to-profit ratio is online sports goods retailer Wiggle (No 202), which reported that it had £226.7m of debt in 2014 (including £126.9m of shareholder loan notes), 82 times operating profits of £2.8m. The group sells cycling and triathlon products online to customers in 80 countries. Its 'Wiggle Workshop' bike service and repair centres launched last year, with sites in St Albans, Milton Keynes and Cambridge, and it plans to target further cycling hotspots across Britain.


Year end

Debt £m

Sales £m

1 Peel Ports Group Port services provider Mar 15 1,325* 616.1

15 mydentist Dental care provider Mar 15 1,025 534.2

82 Affinity Water Water utility Mar 15 983 291.4

78 Dorchester Collection Luxury hotel operator Dec 13 606 302.0

5 Pret A Manger Sandwich shop operator Jan 15 589 593.6

95 Cognita Schools operatorsupplier Aug 14 544 264.7

25 Travelodge Budget hotel operator Dec 14 521 497.2

33 IM Group Car distributor Dec 14 457 471.6

180 Radisson Blu Edwardian Hotels Dec 14 431 176.4

14 Nando's Restaurant operator Feb 14 383 535.0

Companies with the most debt

RankCompany Activity

Year end

Debt/ profit ratio

Profit£m

Debt £m

202 Wiggle Online sports goods retailer Feb 14 82 2.8 226.7

152 NSL Traffic services provider Dec 14 56 2.5 141.8

95 Cognita Schools operator Aug 14 51 10.6 544.0

15 mydentist Dental care provider Mar 15 48 21.5 1,025.0

119 Oasis Dental Care Dental care provider Mar 15 34 9.1 311.6

146 Palletways Palletised distribution franchiser May 14 30 2.2 64.9

161 Wagamama Noodle bar operator Apr 15 27 10.9 297.6

120 Bibendum PLB Group Wine importer & distributor Mar 15 24 0.9 21.6

10 Ballyvesey Holdings Transport services provider Sep 14 22 5.2 117.1

5 Pret A Manger Sandwich shop operator Jan 15 20 28.7 589.0

Companies with the biggest debt/profit ratio

* in 2014



Sector breakdown

The two largest sectors are retail, with 101 companies, and services with 81. Together these sectors comprise 73% of the league table.

Retailers include value retailer Poundworld (No 46), footwear retailer Dune London (No 187) and furniture retailer Oak Furniture Land (No 163).

Service businesses encompass a wide range of industries, from film and television producer Tinopolis (No 147), aircraft charter broker Air Charter Service (No 85) and education service provider Study Group (No 94).

There are 41 wholesalers in the league table including book, film and music wholesaler The Little Group (No 123), IT reseller Softcat (No 23) and seafood trader Andrew Marr International (No 24).

There are 25 manufacturers including sports car maker McLaren Automotive (No 30), packaging maker LINPAC (No 37) and food producer Quorn (No 233).

The 25 construction companies include construction consultancy Turner & Townsend (No 55), housebuilder Countryside (No 44), infrastructure services provider FM Conway (No 118), and structural steel engineer William Hare Group (No 205).

Industry breakdown

The top industries represented on the league table are automotive and food & drink.

The automotive industry provides 59 companies, including Aberdeen’s John Clark Motor Group (No 3); car manufacturer Aston Martin (No 20); and vehicle lessor Zenith Leasedrive (No 54).

There are 37 food & drink companies including speciality crop supplier Maviga (No 169), restaurant operator Nando’s (No 14), and crisp and snack manufacturer Tayto (No 176), which owns brands such as Golden Wonder, Mr Porky and Jonathan Crisp.

The building industry is the third biggest industry with 34 companies, including housebuilder and contractor Mount Anvil (No 165), construction services provider Robertson (No 84), and architectural consultancy Foster + Partners (No 149).

Sector breakdown

Number of companies in each sector

Construction 25

Wholesale 41

Manufacturing 25

Retail 101

Services 81

Note: where companies operate in more than one sector, a second sector is chosen. In total, 23 companies operate in two sectors. Each sector is given an equal weighting.

Industry breakdown

Automotive 59

Food and drink 37

Building related 34

Consumer goods 26

Business services 22

Other 19

Transport 9

Leisure 14

Healthcare 7Engineering 7

Computers & electronics 5Recruitment 5

Oil & gas 6



Regional breakdown

The North (northwest and northeast & Yorkshire) is home to the highest number of Top Track 250 companies, with 62 businesses, up from 57 last year. The presence of this so-called 'Northern Powerhouse' is a key theme and explored further on page 17.

London is home to 53 companies, followed by the southeast with 44. When compared to last year’s table, the number of companies based in London and the southeast is broadly the same. Last year, the combined region was home to 38% of the league table, but this year, the figure is 39%.

– The Midlands increased from 30 to 32 companies which created 1,800 new jobs in the last year to a total of 27,800. These include communications support provider Telent (No 65), car dealer Motorpoint (No 8) and food producer Addo Food Group (No 228).

– The northwest increased from 27 to 30 companies which created 4,500 new jobs in the last year to a total of 50,000. These include film manufacturer Innovia Group (No 50), Liverpool Football Club (No 102) and chemical exporter Norkem (No 237)

– The southwest increased from 13 to 15 companies which created 3,700 new jobs in the last year to a total of 21,600. These include discount retailer The Range (No 7), property maintenance provider Integral (No 74) and building products supplier Taylor Maxwell (No 171)

Yorkshire and the Northeast (32) had 2 more companies than last year; Wales (6) had one more company than last year; the East (10) had 4 fewer companies; Scotland (23) and Northern Ireland (5) both had 3 fewer companies.

Of the top ten companies ranked by sales, 80% have their headquarters outside of London and the southeast of England.

Regional breakdown of HQ in UK

Northern Ireland

Southwest

Wales

Scotland23

London53

Midlands32

Southeast44

30

325

15

106

Northeast& Yorkshire

East

Northwest



International activity

Top-performing private companies are looking beyond the UK for growth. This is demonstrated by the 21% increase in international sales of the Top Track 250 companies, reported in their latest year*.

Companies with significant international sales growth include sporting events management company Byrom (No 151), which provides accommodation, ticketing and IT services to clients such as Fifa, and reported a 235% leap in international sales to £187.8m in 2014 following the World Cup in Brazil; and online retailer The Hut Group (No 110) which shipped 13m orders last year for products covering sports nutrition, weight management and beauty to 190 countries and reported international sales rose 74% to £113.3m.

The company reporting the largest overseas sales is jeweller Graff (No 13). Laurence Graff, 77, opened his first jewellery store in London in 1962 and the company now has 50 stores on four continents, including a new flagship store in Hong Kong. Growing demand from the Far East helped international sales grow 20% to £517.2m in 2014, representing 96% of total sales.

The company with the most overseas subsidiaries was insurance broker and underwriter Hyperion Insurance Group (No 157) with 70 based on foreign soil (20 companies in North America, 20 in East and Southeast Asia, 17 in Europe, 6 in the Middle East, 3 in Australasia, 2 in South America, and 2 in Africa).

Foreign subsidiaries are most commonly located in Western Europe, with 61 companies having at least one subsidiary in countries that include Germany (24), France (19), Spain (19), Republic of Ireland (17), and the Netherlands (17).

38 companies have at least one subsidiary in an emerging market, including architectural consultancy Foster + Parters (No 149), with subsidiaries in Turkey, India, Malaysia, Thailand, China, Brazil and Mexico; and aircraft charter broker Air Charter Service (No 85), with subsidiaries in Brazil, Russia, China, South Africa, and India.

Location of foreign subsidiariesNumber of companies with at least one known subsidiary in the region

Western Europe

North America

East Asia

C & S America

South East Asia

Australasia

Africa

Eastern Europe

Middle East

61

47

22

20

20

16

15

15

12


Year end

Exports £m Growth†

152 Byrom Sporting events management Sep 14 187.8 235%

46 Poundworld Retail Value retailer Mar 15 7.1 198%

134 Solarcentury Solar technology developer Mar 15 10.7 94%

87 Midwich Audio-visual equipment Dec 14 90.6 89%

102 Liverpool Football Club Football club May 14 14.8 84%

237 Ideal Shopping Home shopping retailer Dec 14 6.6 79%

110 The Hut Group Online retailer Dec 14 113.3 74%

4 Faccenda Investments Poultry producer Apr 14 19.9 68%

72 Independent Clinical Services Healthcare recruiter Dec 13 5.8 67%

116 Volac Dairy nutrition supplier Dec 14 147.3 59%

* where available from publicly filed accounts or provided by the companies.

10 companies with the fastest growing international sales

† International sales growth is measured over 1 year for companies where data is available. Table excludes companies with prior year international sales that are less than £1m



Mergers and acquisitions

Despite the Chinese economic slowdown and a rise in the value of Sterling against the Euro, the country’s largest trading partner, the Bank of England expects the UK recovery to remain healthy. This positive backdrop has encouraged companies to make acquisitions. Many of these transactions are bolt-on deals of small businesses that provide quick growth in new markets. Other transactions include the divestment of businesses to streamline operations.

The table below shows a selection of the most recent mergers and acquisitions.

Advanced Computer Software (No 135) de-listed from AIM in 2014 and made three acquisitions in the same year

Date of transaction Rank Company

ActivitySales

£mProfit

£m Notes

Aug 15 16 Perrys Car dealer 530.9 11.0 Acquired rival GK Group, which it says will add around £175m to total

sales

Apr 15 87 Midwich Audio-visual equipment supplier

280.8 11.6 Acquired display specialist PSCo, for an undisclosed sum. The group has also made acquisitions in Germany, New Zealand and Australia in the last three years

Mar 15 21 CALA Group Builder

*511.6 *73.0 Paid a reported £200m to acquire housebuilder Banner Homes

Mar 15 157 Hyperion Insurance Group Insurance broker & underwriter 195.0 34.0 Merged with insurance broker RK Harrison to become the world’s largest

employee-owned insurance group

Mar 15 204 JacTravel Travel services provider 165.7 7.3 Bought competitor TotalStay for an undisclosed sum

Nov 14 29 EVO Business Supplies Business supplies distributor

*481.7 *6.5 The group was formed from the merger of Vasanta and office2office

Oct 14 40 Motor Fuel Group Fuel forecourt operator 442.5 14.7 More than quadrupled its network of petrol stations and forecourt shops

to 288 sites when it bought the Murco chain for a reported £200m

Sep 14 181 Suttons Group Logistics & supply chain services

*176.2 *8.3 Bought chemical transport company Imperial Tankers for £27m

Aug 14 228 Addo Food Group Food producer 152.6 5.6 Acquired Kerry Foods’ chilled savoury pastry division, adding £100m to

total sales

Jul 14 189 Andrew Page Vehicle component distributor

†173.2 †4.5 Acquired 21 branches from Unipart Automotive for an undisclosed sum

Jul 14 211 Chiltern International Group Pharmaceutical researcher

†160.5 †22.4 Bought American firm Ockham Development for £31m

Jun 14 149 Foster + Partners Architectural consultancy 205.2 49.1 Its partners bought back a 40% stake from investor 3i for £108m

Feb 14 147 Tinopolis Film & television producer 208.0 14.8 Bought American firm Magical Elves for £59m

2014 135 Advanced Computer Software Software developer 220.5 21.6 Made three acquisitions in 2014, including Computer Software Holdings

which it bought for £110m

2014 119 Oasis Dental Care Dental care provider

*234.0 *9.1 Expanded its practice network by 50% to 340 locations, after buying Apex Dental Care and Smiles Dental, both for an undisclosed sum

* supplied by the company † annualised



Private equity

This form of ownership exerts a strong influence on the league table with around 33% of companies owned or backed in this way.

The table below shows a selection of private equity transactions completed during the year.

Chris Edwards sold a majority stake in Poundworld Retail (No 46) to TPG for a reported £150m in May

Transaction date Rank Company

ActivitySales

£mProfit

£m Deal detail

Sep 15 236 Ideal Shopping Home shopping retailer 149.1 10.4 Blackstone paid a reported £200m to Inflexion for the group

Jul 15 168 Spearhead International Integrated food & agricultural business 185.7 19.7 Paine + Partners paid a reported £230m to Altima Partners for the

group

Jun 15 40 Motor Fuel Group Fuel forecourt operator 442.5 14.7 Clayton, Dubilier & Rice bought the company in a deal worth a

reported £500m

May 15 46 Poundworld Retail Value retailer 422.3 14.6 TPG acquired a majority stake for a reported £150m

Mar 15 80 Adelie Foods Food producer & distributor 294.7 19.4 HIG Capital bought the company from India Hospitality Corp for an

undisclosed sum

Nov 14 164 Prezzo Restaurant operator 189.9 22.7 TPG de-listed the company in a £304m deal

Nov 14 135 Advanced Computer Software Software developer 220.5 21.6 De-listed from AIM by Vista Equity Partners for a reported £725m

Jul 14 72 Independent Clinical Services Healthcare recruiter 314.0 26.0 TowerBrook Capital Partners bought the group from Blackstone for an

undisclosed sum

Jul 14 110 The Hut Group Online retailer 248.0 15.0 KKR acquired a 20% stake reportedly valuing the group at £500m

Jun 14 204 JacTravel Travel services provider 165.7 7.3 Vitruvian Partners acquired the business from Bowmark Capital in a

deal worth £80m

Jun 14 111 Maplin Electronics Electronic equipment retailer

†243.0 †10.2 Rutland Partners paid £85m to acquire the group from Montagu Private Equity

Apr 14 50 Innovia Group Film manufacturer 410.7 42.1 Bought by Arle Capital in a £410m deal

Mar 14 54 Zenith Leasedrive Vehicle lessor

*390.4 *42.3 Private equity firm HgCapital merged Zenith Vehicle Contracts and Leasedrive

Feb 14 234 Callcredit Information Group Consumer data analyst 149.9 24.7 Chicago-based GTCR bought the group from Vitruvian Partners for a

reported £480m

* supplied by the company † annualised



Companies exiting from last year’s league table

Of the companies on last year’s Top Track 250, 108 do not appear this year.

The main reason for company exits was failing to increase either sales or operating profit by more than 10% in the last year. 75 companies fall off the league table on this basis. Eight did not qualify due to an operating loss in the most recent financial period.

A further seven grew sales sufficiently to appear on our Top Track 100 league table of Britain's biggest private companies, including ice cream manufacturer R&R Ice Cream, which grew sales 16% to £675.7m in 2014; and recruitment consultancy Alexander Mann Solutions, which increased sales 18% to £727.9m in 2014.

Eight companies on last year’s table have been acquired, including energy research consultancy Wood Mackenzie, which was bought by Verisk Analytics for £1.85bn in March; IT services provider Kelway, which was acquired by CDW in August – the American IT business paid a reported £276m ($431m) for a 65% stake in the company, taking its shareholding to 100%; and support services provider Mouchel, which was acquired by Kier in April in a £265m deal.

Four of last year's companies have listed on a stock exchange. They were telecoms network operator Gamma, tool and equipment hirer HSS Hire Group, asset and energy support services provider Lakehouse, and sofa and carpet retailer ScS. In addition, Hastings Insurance Group confirmed it planned to float in October 2015.

Reason for exit Number of companies

Neither sales or profit growth > 10% 75

Acquired 8

Made a loss 8

Sales increase to Top Track 100 level 7

Sales less than 250th company 5

Listed* 5

Total 108

Reason for exit

R&R Ice Cream featured on this year's Top Track 100 with sales of £675.7m, having featured on Top Track 250 7 times

* Includes Hastings Insurance Group which announced its IPO timetable before publication.



Eleven years of Top Track 250

Top Track 250 was launched eleven years to recognise the success of Britain’s top-performing private mid-market growth companies. Since its launch, 800 British companies have appeared on the league table.

The vital statistics of the league table companies have changed significantly over the last eleven years. The combined sales figure for all 250 companies is up 38% to £69bn, and total profits have risen 78% to £4.2bn.

Stock market flotations

Forty-three companies have floated on the stock market.

• Pets at Home, which first featured in 2005 with sales of £220m. The pet products retailer floated in March 2014 with a market capitalisation of £1.2bn, and is now valued at £1.4bn

• Virgin Money, which also first featured in 2005 with sales of £241m. The retail bank floated in November 2014 with a market capitalisation of £1.25bn, and is now valued at £1.7bn

• Ocado, which first featured in 2006 with sales of £143m. The online grocery retailer floated in July 2010 valued at £937.8m and is now worth £1.9bn

• B&M Retail, which first featured in 2009 with sales of £256m. The discount retailer listed in June 2014 valued at £2.7bn and is now valued at £3.2bn

• Card Factory, which first featured in 2009 with sales of £157m. The greeting card retailer floated in May 2014 with a market capitalisation of £716m, and is now valued at £1.3bn

• Markit, which first featured in 2010 with sales of £305m. The financial information services provider floated on Nasdaq in June 2014 with a £2.6bn ($4.5bn) market capitalisation, and is now valued at £3.8bn ($5.9bn)

• Sophos, which first featured in 2011 with sales of £197m. The security software developer floated in July 2015 with a market capitalisation of £1bn, and is now valued at £1.2bn

Acquisitions and mergers

Other past stars include car parts retailer Euro Car Parts, which was acquired by Nasdaq-listed LKQ for £225m in 2011; Weetabix, which was acquired by Chinese state-owned food conglomerate Bright Foods for £1.2bn in 2012; and aerospace manufacturer Firth Rixon, which was acquired American mining giant Alcoa for a reported £1.7bn in 2014.

Company Activity

Latest sales

£m

No. of times

ranked

Motorpoint Car supermarket *564.5 11

Helston Garages Car dealer *471.1 11

Sinclair Group Car dealer 325.9 11

Pret A Manger Sandwich shop operator 593.6 10

Pertemps Network Group Recruitment consultancy *555.2 10

Travelodge Budget hotel operator 497.2 10

Rix Shipping, oil distributor 453.2 10

Meadow Foods Dairy product producer 420.7 10

Williams Group Car dealer 362.6 10

Drive Motor Retail Car dealer 237.2 10

Companies with the most appearances

How Top Track 250 has changed


2005

Total sales

£49.9bn £69.0bn

401,000

£336.8m £616.1m

Total employees

Top company

Sales

2015

Total profits

£2.3bn £4.0bn

347,000



Sustained growth stars

Three companies, Motorpoint (No 8), Helston Garages (No 34) and Sinclair Group (No 66), sustained the growth needed to feature on Top Track 250 for the eleventh consecutive year. All are car dealers.

New companies

There are 108 companies that were not on the league table in 2014, and 56 which appear in previous years. 52 make their debuts this year.

The first Top Track 250

Companies that featured on the first Top Track 250 league table in 2005 include:

• Dyson, which was first showcased with sales of £277.3m, but this year featured at 38 on Top Track 100 with sales of £1.3bn

• Cinema operator Odeon & UCI Cinemas Group, which appeared in 2005 with sales of £168.4m, but this year featured at 92 on Top Track 100 with sales of £657m

• Car dealer Benfield Motor Group, which was acquired by Lookers in September for £87.5m

• Discount retailer Poundland, which floated in March 2014 with a market capitalisation of £750m, and is now valued at £800m. The group acquired fellow Top Track 250 alumni 99p Stores, for a reported £55m

Top Track 250 alumni

Dyson featured in the first Top Track 250 with sales of £277.3m, and is now on Top Track 100 with sales of £1.3bn



Jens Hoffman, CEO of the UK franchise of Pizza Hut (No 129) closed 22 under-performing sites and doubled profits to £3.3m

KEY THEMES & SELECTED COMPANY PROFILES

On the following pages we profile examples of companies that demonstrate some of the key themes from this year’s league table.

Dynamic companies

All the league table companies had to increase sales or profits by 10% – our characteristics of a dynamic company. However, sustaining growth is not always a linear path of increasing sales and profits. The league table features 69 companies that increased profit by a rate of more than 10% in the latest year despite having sales that grew by less than 10% or shrank. Some exited non-core and non-profitable businesses. Others identified operational efficiencies, diversified their business model or grew overseas.

83 Wyevale Garden CentresGarden centre operator

Sales increased 5.1%, but profits grew 50% after the group transferred non-core retail to concession partners

FYE Dec 14Latest sales £290.4mPrior sales £276.2mProfit £39.3mStaff 3,550Location West London

This garden centre chain has made a series of acquisitions since private equity firm Terra Firma bought it for £276m in 2012, expanding its network to 149 centres. Under chief executive Kevin Bradshaw, 46, and chairman Stephen Murphy, 59, the company aquired nine garden centres in 2014. After reducing cost and transferring non-core retail to concession partners, profits grew by 50% to £39.3m in the same year.

129 Pizza HutRestaurant operator

Sales fell 2% after closing 22 sites, but profits doubled after refurbishing restaurants and revamping the menu

FYE Dec 14Latest sales £225.5mPrior sales £230.1mProfit £3.3mStaff 8,454Location North London

Private equity firm Rutland Partners bought this UK pizza franchise for a pound in 2012, and embarked on a £60m overhaul of the chain. In 2014, it closed 22 underperforming sites, which resulted in a marginal fall in sales to £225.5m, although it also refurbished a fifth of its 285 restaurants and revamped the menu which lead to profits doubling to £3.3m. Chief executive Jens Hofma, 49, is leading the rejuvenation of the brand.

136 Control Risks Risk management consultancy

Sales grew 3%, but profits rose 66% as it followed international clients into areas with high geo-political discord, violence and corruption

FYE Mar 14Latest sales £218.2mPrior sales £211.7mProfit £22.1mStaff 2,544Location Central London

As its name suggests, this consultancy helps firms to manage risk, whether political, security-related, or connected to company integrity. Based in London, with 36 offices worldwide, in 2011, NVM Private Equity invested £12m for a 20% stake. Chief executive Richard Fenning, 52, saw profits hit £22.1m in 2014, driven in part by high demand for its services in Iraq.



Barbour (No 203) makes 100,000 jackets a year, all by hand, at its factory in South Shields

Northern Powerhouse

The North is the best represented region on the league table with 62 companies. These 'Northern Powerhouse' companies reported combined sales up 17% to £17.2bn, profits up 42% to £870m, and employees up 15% to 93,000 people. The region also provides this year's number one company; Liverpool's Peel Ports (No 1), which has the biggest sales and profits on the league table at £616.1m and £137.3m, respectively. Other fast-growing companies include Harrogate's Principal Hotels (No 76), which increased profits by 94% to £62.1m in 2014; and discount retailer Poundworld Retail (No 46), which increased its employee head count by 25% to 5,590 in 2015.

88 ESH GroupConstruction contractor

Sales rose 44% last year to £276.8m as the group expanded throughout the north of England and Scotland

FYE Dec 14Latest sales £276.8mPrior sales £192.5mProfit £11.6mStaff 1,105Location Durham

Durham-based ESH Group was formed in 1999 when two local construction businesses merged and adopted the name of the village where they both started. Led by chief executive Brian Manning, 57, the group now has divisions involved in most areas of construction, including civil engineering, property development and social housing maintenance. Improved market confidence, the acquisition of Border Construction for an undisclosed sum, and investment in Yorkshire, where it doubled its office space, helped sales rise 44% to £276.8m last year.

110 The Hut GroupOnline retailer

Is investing £100m in new manufacturing and logistics facilities in Warrington

FYE Dec 14Latest sales £248.0mPrior sales £184.3mProfit £15.0mStaff 1,049Location Northwich

This online retailer shipped 13m orders last year for sports nutrition products, vitamins, prestige beauty and weight management items to 190 countries. Led by founders Matt Moulding, 43, and John Gallemore, 46, it sells direct to consumers via 34 international websites, all backed by its proprietary technology. Overseas sales increased by £48m last year, which helped total sales increase by 35% to £248m. In September, the group announced a £210m funding deal with six banks including Barclays.

203 Barbour Clothing manufacturer

Its hardwearing wet weather clothing is made at its factory in South Shields

FYE Dec 14Latest sales £167.4mPrior sales £152.4mProfit £29.3mStaff 989Location South Shields

This fourth-generation family firm was founded in 1894 to produce hardwearing wet weather clothing. The Tyne and Wear company’s wax jackets are now worn by everyone from royals to pop stars, and it has a range of 2,000 clothing and lifestyle products. Managing director Stephen Buck, 57, has led its expansion into 40 countries.



Car dealer Car Giant (No 36) holds the Guinness World Record for largest single site

Automotive

Britain's love affair with the car shows little sign of waning with new cars sales up 7% in the year to September, according to industry body SMMT – although the impact of the emission scandal has yet to be felt. The industry clocked up the longest ever period of sustained growth in February, having risen for every month for the previous three years. The 59 automotive businesses that make the list have all experienced growth, fuelled by cheap finance deals and low interest rates. Companies range from car dealers to distributors and car manufacturers.

† Annualised sales

8 MotorpointCar supermarket

Is one of only three companies to have featured on every Top Track 250 league table since 2005

FYE Mar 15Latest sales £564.5m*Prior sales £464.0mProfit £12.9m*Staff 559Location Derby

This car supermarket, which was founded in Derby in 1998 with the aim of selling new and used cars cheaper than the main dealers, has nine sites across the UK. Led by co-founder David Shelton, 62, and managing director Mark Carpenter, 43, the group's new site in Widnes and increased consumer confidence, boosted sales by 22% to £564.5m last year.

36 Car GiantCar dealer

Has a profit margin of 7.9%, the highest for a car dealer on the league table

FYE Dec 14Latest sales £465.9mPrior sales £395.6mProfit £36.8mStaff 644Location West London

With a 47 acre site in White City in West London where it stocks up to 8,000 cars, Car Giant lives up to its name. It holds the Guinness World Record for largest single site and the company claims that its website receives 5m hits every month. Chairman Geoffrey Warren, 60, oversaw a 30% increase in sales to £395.6m in 2013.

174 Sertec Automotive engineer

Secured a £20m funding package in August to support further expansion plans

FYE Mar 15Latest sales £180.8mPrior sales £137.3mProfit £16.3mStaff 1,114Location Birmingham

Operating from five manufacturing sites in the Midlands, Sertec specialises in engineering components for the automotive industry. Consumer demand for new cars has resulted in bumper orders from customers such as Jaguar Land Rover, and sales grew 32% to £180.8m this year. In August, group managing director Grant Adams, 54, secured a £20m funding package to support further expansion plans.




FM Conway (No 118) maintains roads for Transport for London

Trade infrastructure

Reducing road congestion, improving transport links to airports, and providing more frequent and reliable train services should be placed top of the political agenda, according to this year's Agents for growth report by Grant Thornton, which surveyed 100 mid-market company directors to determine the top priorities for infrastructure investment. There are 33 companies on the league table operating in construction, transport and telecoms services that are working to achieve these goals. Examples include construction consultancy Turner & Townsend (No 55) and construction contractors Esh Group (No 88).

* Pro-forma, draft, or not yet filed at Companies House † Annualised sales

65 TelentCommunications support provider

Provides network and communications services to Virgin Trains and Transport for London

FYE Mar 15Latest sales £331.8mPrior sales £321.0mProfit £20.7mStaff 1,568Location Warwick

Telent provides communications support for telecoms, railways and highways operators, as well as 22 emergency services organisations and 23 local councils. The Warwick firm’s highest-profile contract is supporting BT on its nationwide broadband upgrade. In the last year it won contracts with Network Rail and Transport for London. Mark Plato, 55, is chief executive.

75 Buckingham Group ContractingCivil engineering contractor

Has long term contracts with Network Rail to improve station buildings and improve links to transport

FYE Dec 14Latest sales £308.7mPrior sales £184.0mProfit £5.3mStaff 331Location Buckingham

This civil engineer is active in road, rail and other infrastructure, but is particularly well known for its expertise in building sports stadiums. It built the award-winning Amex Stadium in Brighton in 2011, and earlier this year won the £35m contract to build Scunthorpe United’s new 12,000 seater home. Sales last year rose 68% to £308.7m under founder and chairman, Paul Wheeler, 61 - a result credited to investment during the downturn as well as long term contracts with clients such as Network Rail and Rolls Royce.

118 FM Conway Infrastructure services provider

Builds and maintains roads for public sector bodies such as Transport for London

FYE Mar 15Latest sales £234.5mPrior sales £165.6mProfit £15.7mStaff 1,077Location Dartford

Frank Michael Conway started this highways contractor in 1961 and twenty years later, his son, Michael Conway, took over the business, aged 26, and developed it into what it is today. The company mainly works for public sector bodies such as Transport for London, and this year won a five-year contract to maintain the bridges over the Medway at Rochester, including the iconic Grade II-listed Old Bridge. Sales rose 42% to £234.5m this year after securing a number of long term maintenance contracts, including one with the London Borough of Kensington & Chelsea.



Mike Flewitt, chief executive of McLaren Automotive (No 30), has used McLaren's Formula 1 expertise to develop its supercars

Innovation

Many companies on the league table operate in fast-moving industries where innovatation and the ability to disrupt the market are key attributes. Some, such as internet retailer The Hut Group (No 110), have invested in hi-tech production facilities to produce protein products, while others, such as internet security specialist Kaspersky Lab (No 49), are developing software to protect wearable technology from malicious attacks.

30 McLaren AutomotiveSports car maker

Has used Formula 1 expertise and built a hi-tech production centre to ensure quality, efficiency and reliability of its supercars

FYE Dec 14Latest sales £475.5mPrior sales £285.4mProfit £20.8mStaff 1,283Location Woking

This spin-off from the McLaren Formula 1 racing team makes just seven luxury sports cars a day at its Woking base. They include the McLaren P1 hybrid supercar, which retailed at £866,000 in the UK and was limited to just 375 units. Having only opened its first dealership in 2011, the company now operates more than 70 showrooms around the world. Under chief executive Mike Flewitt, 53, demand from Asia – where it opened seven new sites in 2014 – helped sales growth of 67% to £475.5m. In the same year it invested £91.8m in R&D.

123 The Little GroupBook, film and music wholesaler

Installed a robotic stacking and picking warehouse generating 27 miles of additional storage space

FYE Feb 14Latest sales £232.2mPrior sales £200.0mProfit £6.3mStaff 1,083Location Eastbourne

Based in Eastbourne, The Little Group is a family owned holding company for Gardners, and says it is the largest combined book, eBook, music and DVD wholesaler in Britain. Led by chairman Jonathan Little, 50, its retail customers include high street booksellers, internet retailers and supermarkets. Other subsidiaries supply to music retailers, public libraries, colleges and schools, with more than 20% of sales to international trade customers.

149 Foster + Partners Architectural consultancy

Its innovative designs include McLaren's Technology Centre, Canary Wharf Underground Station and Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank HQ

FYE Apr 15Latest sales £205.2mPrior sales £158.6mProfit £49.1mStaff 1,284Location Southwest London

This architectural practice is responsible for dozens of landmark buildings, including London’s Gherkin skyscraper, Beijing airport and France’s spectacular Millau viaduct, the world’s highest road bridge. Partners at the business, led by founder and chairman Lord Norman Foster, 80, bought back a 40% stake from investor 3i for £108m in 2014. Growth in its Middle Eastern business fuelled a 29% sales rise to £205.2m in the year to the end of April.



Pret A Manger (No 5) donates its left-over sandwiches to homeless shelters at the end of each day

Social responsibility

Following the 2008/9 financial crisis and recent revelation in the car industry, questions have been raised about the ways in which companies do business. In addition to the 347,000 people that the Top Track 250 employ and train, many demonstrate how growing companies support the communities in which they operate.

Some have a clear sense of social purpose, while others are mindful of the environment when managing their procurement and emissions. Companies such as Chelsea Football Club (No 69) have active community-based initiatives; others such as specialty crop supplier Maviga (No 169) distribute their produce to people in need.

5 Pret A MangerSandwich shop operator

Operates a minimum waste requirement with food given away for free at the end of each day to local charities

FYE Jan 15Latest sales £593.6mPrior sales £509.9mProfit £28.7mStaff 8,750Location Central London

Pret A Manger looks for three characteristics in new recruits: passion, clear talking and team working initiatives. Its employees are encouraged to reward loyal customers by giving away a minimum number of hot drinks and food every week. Its stores also operate a minimum waste requirement with food given away for free at the end of each day to local charities. This initiative gives store managers permission to serve customers’ best interests. It also ensures the business is focused on its primary objective - providing customers with freshly-prepared food.

55 Turner & TownsendConstruction consultancy

Plans to cut its carbon emissions by 12% per employee in its latest financial year

FYE Apr 15Latest sales £379.9m*Prior sales £350.5mProfit £36.7m*Staff 4,102Location Leeds

Turner & Townsend says a strong ethical culture starts with the tone set at the top. The group demands the highest standards in every interaction with stakeholders. Its sales are underpinned by projects identifying how clients can become more energy-efficient. For example, the Greater London Authority's RE:FIT scheme, which is scheduled to cut annual carbon emissions by 30,000 tonnes at 600 public sector buildings. It also makes a commitment to skills-based volunteering, with 4,125 hours of staff time set aside last year.

160 TimpsonRetail services provider

Runs a scheme to help ex-offenders get back into the workplace, contributing more than 10% of its workforce

FYE Sep 15Latest sales £194.0m*Prior sales £169.4mProfit £16.0m*Staff 3,150Location Manchester

Timpson applies the same interview process for ex-offenders as it would any other applicant seeking a job at its 1,400 shops, which provide key cutting, watch repairs and more. Its scheme helps ex-offenders return to the workplace, and was initiated after chief executive James Timpson was impressed by an inmate he met when visiting a prison near Warrington in 2003. More than 400 ex-offenders now work for the family business – over 10% of its total workforce. Timpson operates a careful vetting scheme and hires staff who are at the end of their sentence, or on day-release.




Brands

The league table contains a wide selection of retail and consumer brands which have fared well in their latest year. Many have diversified away from the high street, whilst others are tapping into overseas markets with high consumer demand. Examples of brands that have positioned themselves to benefit from fast growing markets include bookmaker Betfred (No 28), coffee house operator Caffè Nero (No 89) and noodle bar operator Wagamama (No 161).

The White Company (No 209) is owned by Chrissie Rucker, and last year launched a US website and nine new stores

† Annualised sales

14 Nando'sRestaurant operator

Runs more than 380 outlets under Nando's and Gourmet Burger Kitchen names

FYE Feb 14Latest sales £535.0mPrior sales £485.2mProfit £55.5mStaff 10,993Location Southwest London

UK customers are feeling the heat, with sales of Nando's famous chilli sauces having doubled here in the last five years. Started in South Africa in 1992, Nando’s now has 1,000 restaurants in 24 countries. Ultimately owned by Dick Enthoven, a South African tycoon, the London firm runs more than 380 outlets under the Nando’s and Gourmet Burger Kitchen names in Britain and Ireland. It is led by chief executive Andrew Lynch, 58.

161 WagamamaNoodle bar operator

Raised £150m in the bond market this year with plans to open 45 new restaurants in the next three years

FYE Apr 15Latest sales £193.3mPrior sales £164.0mProfit £10.9mStaff 3,865Location Central London

Meaning 'naughty child' in Japanese, Wagamama serves a Japanese-inspired menu of noodles and Asian food, cooked fresh and served to diners on communal tables. Created by Alan Yau in Bloomsbury in 1992, the company now has restaurants across Britain and America with franchises in 14 other countries. In 2011, Duke Street Capital and Hutton Collins acquired an 82% stake for £230m. The group is led by chief executive David Campbell, 56, and appointed Allan Leighton, 62, as chairman in July.

209 The White CompanyHome accessories retailer

Has 53 UK stores and sells directly from its US website launched last year

FYE Mar 15Latest sales £163.6m*Prior sales £143.8mProfit £12.8m*Staff 1,323Location West London

The White Company sells predominantly white bed and bathroom linen, fashion and accessories. Founded by Chrissie Rucker, 46, in 1994, when she struggled to find high-quality, affordable white bed linen and tableware, the chain now comprises 53 UK stores and 13 franchises across Dubai and the Middle East. Chief executive Will Kernan, 46, launched a US website last year and nine new stores.




2015 TOP TRACK 250 LEAGUE TABLE

* Supplied by the company † Annualised sales

1 26 Peel Ports Group Port services provider Liverpool Mar 15 *616.1 -1% *137.3 12% 2,649 John Whittaker & family (50.1%),

RREEF Infrastructure (49.9%)

2 The Miller Group Housebuilder & construction services Edinburgh Dec 14 611.1 -19% 25.2 98% 1,045 GSO Capital Partners (Blackstone) (56%), Lloyds Banking

Group & RBS (31%), Miller family & employees (13%)

3 33 The John Clark Motor Group Car dealer Aberdeen Dec 14 604.1 28% 12.3 39% 1,031 John Clark & family (100%)

4 14 Faccenda Investments Poultry producer Northamptonshire Apr 14 597.3 11% 43.0 35% 3,294 Faccenda family & family trusts

(100%)

5 23 Pret A Manger Sandwich shop operator Central London Jan 15 593.6 16% 28.7 21% 8,750 Bridgepoint (65%), founders &

management (35%)

6 17 WSH Catering & restaurant business Reading Dec 14 590.7 10% 24.6 6% 13,278 Alastair Storey & family (78%), Intermediate

Capital (14%), management (8%)

7 34 The Range Discount retailer Plymouth Jan 15 *564.9 20% *56.9 25% 6,634 Chris Dawson & family (100%)

8 36 Motorpoint Car supermarket Derby Mar 15 *564.5 22% *12.9 39% 559 David Shelton (95%), Paul Winfield

(5%)

9 91 First Utility Energy supplier Warwick Dec 14 562.2 98% 11.6 48% 477 Co-founders (45%), private investors inc. Disruptive Capital

& Royal Dutch Shell (45%), staff share options (10%)

10 Ballyvesey Holdings Transport services provider County Antrim Sep 14 561.2 14% 5.2 -23% 2,582 Montgomery family (100%)

11 35 Pertemps Network Group Recruitment consultancy Warwickshire Dec 14 *555.2 19% *15.2 88% 1,251 Management & employees (75%),

LDC & others (25%)

12 10 The Edinburgh Woollen Mill Clothing retailer Dumfriesshire Mar 14 551.9 -1% 70.9 24% 10,290 Philip Day (100%)

13 Graff Jeweller Central London Dec 14 537.0 23% 120.2 30% 576 Graff family (100%)

14 32 Nando's Restaurant operator

Southwest London Feb 14 535.0 10% 55.5 -6% 10,993 Dick Enthoven & family (100%)

15 48 mydentist Dental care provider Kearsley, Bolton Mar 15 534.2 31% 21.5 4% 6,710 Carlyle & Palamon Capital Partners

(>84%) management (<16%)

16 29 Perrys Car dealer Northampton Dec 14 530.9 8% 11.0 42% 1,487 Denise Millard (67%), Ken Savage

(22%), family (11%)

17 Lissan Coal Company Energy distributor County Tyrone Sep 14 530.5 -8% 18.0 46% 179 Loughran family (100%)

18 19 Brookfield Rose Temporary workforce manager Cheshire Dec 13 528.0 11% 2.1 -55% 125 Matthew Sanders (100%)

19 39 Opus Energy Energy supplier Oxford Mar 15 524.3 21% 38.2 26% 571 GDF Suez (29.99%), Telecom Plus

plc (20%), management (50.01%)

20 21 Aston Martin Sports car maker Warwickshire Dec 13 519.2 13% 16.8 145% 1,239 Investindustrial (59%), others (41%)

21 CALA Group Builder Edinburgh Jun 15 *511.6 79% *73.0 93% 719 Legal & General & Patron Haut LP

(88.8%), management (11.2)

22 25 BGL Group Insurance intermediary Peterborough Jun 14 507.2 13% 102.5 16% 3,054 Family trusts (90.5%), management

(9.5%)

23 52 Softcat IT reseller Buckinghamshire Jul 14 504.8 28% 35.5 29% 602 Peter Kelly (45%), Ravensbury Partners (12%), J.A.S. Nash

Settlement Trust (12%), employees & management (31%)

24 Andrew Marr International Seafood trader East Yorkshire Mar 14 503.8 -3% 15.9 14% 246 Andrew Marr & family (100%)

25 40 Travelodge Budget hotel operator Oxfordshire Dec 14 497.2 15% 30.3 441% 3,709 Institutional investors (>50%),

management (<50%)

Company

Activit

y

Rank 2015

HQ loca

tion

Year end

Sales £

m

Sales g

rowth

Operating pro

fit £m

OP growth

Staff

Main shareholders

Rank 2014




Company

Activit

y

Rank 2015

HQ loca

tion

Year end

Sales £

m

Sales g

rowth

Operating pro

fit £m

OP growth

Staff

Main shareholders

Rank 2014

26 43 Graham Construction contractor County Down Mar 15 490.9 17% 7.1 35% 1,645 Michael Graham (29%), Colin Graham (27%), Robin

Graham (26%), Alan Bill (9%), Andrew Bill (9%)

27 James Hall & Co Grocery wholesaler Preston Mar 14 490.0 0% 8.3 10% 2,298 Hall family (100%)

28 49 Betfred Bookmaker Warrington Sep 14 †486.1 20% †26.2 -15% 6,225 Fred & Peter Done & family (100%)

29 45 EVO Business Supplies Business supplies distributor Sheffield Dec 14 *481.7 16% *6.5 30% 1,294 Endless LLP & management (83%),

management (12%), banking syndicate (5%)

30 McLaren Automotive Sports car maker Woking Dec 14 475.5 67% 20.8 68% 1,283 Bahrain Mumtalakat Holding Company (50%), TAG

Group (13%), Ron Dennis (12%), other investors (25%)

31 47 Harwoods Car dealer West Sussex Dec 14 474.6 16% 13.1 45% 812 Guy Harwood & family (100%)

32 65 Global Energy Group Energy services provider Inverness Mar 14 471.8 32% 40.7 50% 5,102 MacGregor family (70%), Mitsui

(25%), Maria Nieto (5%)

33 50 IM Group Car distributor West Midlands Dec 14 471.6 18% 72.4 27% 429 Lord Edmiston (100%)

34 53 Helston Garages Car dealer Cornwall Dec 14 *471.1 19% *13.5 5% 880 David & Betty Carr (90%), Andy

Barrett (10%)

35 82 McCarthy & Stone Retirement house builder Bournemouth Aug 15 *470.4 21% *95.3 35% 1,138 Goldman Sachs, TPG, other equity

funds

36 51 Car Giant Car dealer West London Dec 14 465.9 18% 36.8 21% 644 Geoffrey Warren (100%)

37 LINPAC Packaging maker West Yorkshire Dec 14 453.8 -5% 23.3 14% 2,365 Various, including Deutsche Bank &

Strategic Value Partners

38 30 Rix Shipping, oil distributor Hull Dec 14 453.2 -8% 5.3 20% 464 John Rix & family (100%)

39 68 Park's Motor Group Car dealer Lanarkshire Mar 15 448.0 12% 17.1 12% 1,267 Douglas Park & family (100%)

40 Motor Fuel Group Fuel forecourt operator St Albans Dec 14 442.5 85% 14.7 228% 39 Patron Capital (89%), management

(11%)

41 62 Pentagon Car dealer Derby Dec 14 440.4 22% 6.6 97% 954 Reeve family (90%), Andrew Flinn

(5%), Graham Hall (5%)

42 Rybrook Car dealer Warwick Dec 14 438.0 16% 5.2 77% 749 Interamericana Trading Corp (50%),

Whale family (50%)

43 58 Swansway Group Car dealer Crewe Dec 14 436.1 18% 7.9 18% 681 Michael Smyth (100%)

44 95 Countryside Housebuilder Brentwood Sep 14 433.1 56% 48.8 119% 637 Oaktree Capital Management,

Countryside Management

45 41 PA Consulting Group Management, IT consultancy Central London Dec 14 423.0 -1% 54.9 30% 2,636 Carlyle Group (51%), current &

former employees (49%)

46 69 Poundworld Retail Value retailer West Yorkshire Mar 15 422.3 22% 14.6 130% 5,590 TPG (majority), Chirstopher Edwards

& Chris Edwards Jnr (minority)

47 Meadow Foods Dairy product producer Chester Mar 14 420.7 24% 11.2 16% 265 Simon Chantler (65%), Alec

Pickering & family (28%), others (7%)

48 Southall Travel Travel agency & tour operator West London Mar 15 419.8 18% 18.0 16% 44 Kuljinder Bahia (54%), Raybon (28%)

& Geomex Holding (18%)

49 44 Kaspersky Lab Internet security software

London/Moscow Dec 14 417.9 0% 31.0 39% 2,972 Management, including Eugene

Kaspersky (100%)

50 46 Innovia Group Film manufacturer Cumbria Dec 13 410.7 24% 42.1 171% 1,601 Arle Capital syndicate & directors

(72%), Electra Partners (28%)





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51 76 Rullion Group Recruitment consultancy Cheshire Dec 14 407.3 25% 5.4 50% 1,834 Rose Saoulli (100%)

52 54 Stoneacre Motor Group Car dealer Doncaster Apr 14 395.1 15% 7.7 25% 1,380 Christine Teatum (50%), Richard

Teatum (50%)

53 74 Peter Vardy Car dealer Glasgow Dec 14 393.5 15% 6.1 -6% 805 Sir Peter Vardy (55%), Peter Vardy

(40%), Lady Margaret Vardy (5%)

54 70 Zenith Leasedrive Vehicle lessor Leeds Mar 15 *390.4 13% *42.3 18% 546 HgCapital (61%), management

(32%), LDC (7%)

55 66 Turner & Townsend Construction consultancy Leeds Apr 15 *379.9 8% *36.7 11% 4,102 Vincent Clancy (6%), Tom Harrison (6%),

RBC CEES Trustee (EBT) (19%), others (69%)

56 106 Spire Automotive Car dealer Whetstone Dec 14 377.2 50% 8.6 43% 600 Darren Guiver (70%), Kim

Richardson (30%)

57 Williams Group Car dealer Bolton Dec 14 362.6 13% 4.7 -17% 642 Margaret Orton Williams (25%),

family & employees (75%)

58 83 Dick Lovett Companies Car dealer Swindon Dec 14 357.5 16% 8.0 29% 556 Peter Lovett (100%)

59 Exterion Media Outdoor advertiser Central London Dec 14 357.3 65% 17.1 -220% 1,077 Platinum Equity (100%)

60 79 Vindis Group Car dealer Cambridgeshire Dec 14 351.7 11% 5.9 19% 771 Gary Vindis (50%), Nigel Vindis

family trust (50%)

61 73 BrightHouse Household goods retailer Watford Mar 15 351.7 6% 43.3 10% 2,672 Vision Capital (87%), management

(13%)

62 88 Glyn Hopkin Car dealer Romford Dec 14 351.4 19% 6.8 20% 580 Glyn Hopkin (61%), other

management (39%)

63 191 Ovo Energy Energy supplier Bristol Dec 14 *339.0 97% n/a -100% 600 Stephen Fitzpatrick (50%), Sophia

Fitzpatrick (50%)

64 104 Motorline Holdings Car dealer Canterbury Dec 14 333.7 31% 5.8 11% 763 Gary Obee (33.3%), Glen Obee

(33.3%), Thomas Obee (33.3%)

65 78 Telent Communications support provider Warwick Mar 15 331.8 3% 20.7 11% 1,568 Tusk Investments (100%)

66 90 Sinclair Group Car dealer Port Talbot Dec 14 325.9 12% 4.7 16% 587 Gerald Sinclair & family (100%)

67 100 The Turner Group Engineering services provider Glasgow Mar 14 325.7 24% 17.1 14% 2,142 Turner family (100%)

68 93 Lloyd Motors Car dealer Carlisle Dec 14 323.3 15% 6.7 16% 701 Barry & Bryan Lloyd (100%)

69 Chelsea Football Club Football club

Southwest London Jun 14 319.8 25% 43.0 -1,804% 669 Roman Abramovich (100%)

70 Optionis Professional Services Group Warrington Apr 15 †319.5 3% †3.0 51% 8,103 Management (50%), MML (50%)

71 Lotus Group Tour operator South London Oct 14 315.2 0% 15.6 24% 459 Peter Stephens (75%), Christine

Burrowes (25%)

72 81 Independent Clinical Services Healthcare recruiter Central London Dec 13 314.0 38% 26.0 111% 847 TowerBrook (>50%), Management

(<50%)

73 97 Barrett Steel Steel stockholder Bradford Sep 14 311.6 14% 10.9 70% 1,202 Barrett family (70%), management &

others (30%)

74 Integral Property maintenance provider Bristol Dec 14 309.9 30% 10.3 7% 3,398 Bryan Glastonbury (78%),

management (22%)

75 Buckingham Group Contracting Civil engineering contractor Buckingham Dec 14 308.7 68% 5.3 1,147% 331 Paul Wheeler & family (50%), Kevin Underwood (14%), Michael

Kempley (14%), Timothy Brown (14%), other management (8%)





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76 205 Principal Hotels Hotel operator Harrogate Dec 14 308.2 84% 62.1 93% 5,857 Starwood Capital Group (92%),

Management (8%)

77 92 Robinsons Motor Group Car dealer Norwich Dec 14 304.1 7% 6.9 11% 608 Robinson family (90%),

management (10%)

78 Dorchester Collection Luxury hotel operator Central London Dec 13 302.0 -1% 41.6 41% 2,630 Brunei Investment Agency (100%)

79 105 The Best Connection Recruitment consultancy Birmingham Nov 14 301.4 18% 12.5 42% 728 Co-founders (71%), other

management (29%)

80 Adelie Foods Food producer & distributor Middlesex Mar 15 294.7 15% 19.4 17% 2,649 HIG Capital (>50%), others (<50%)

81 102 MON Motors Group Car dealer Cwmbran Dec 14 294.6 14% 4.9 14% 657 Cleverly family (100%)

82 Affinity Water Water utility Hertfordshire Mar 15 291.4 0% 85.9 12% 1,123 Infracapital Partners (40%), Morgan Stanley

(40%), Veolia Water (10%), Beryl Datura (10%)

83 96 Wyevale Garden Centres Garden centre operator West London Dec 14 290.4 5% 39.3 50% 3,550 Terra Firma (100%)

84 Robertson Construction services provider Stirling Mar 15 *288.7 15% *11.8 -4,230% 1,550 Robertson family (100%)

85 Air Charter Service Aircraft charter broker

Kingston Upon Thames Jan 15 286.1 14% 4.2 255% 287 Leach family (84.8%), others (15.2%)

86 99 Clancy Docwra Contractor & developer Uxbridge Mar 15 280.9 4% 4.9 31% 2,223 Clancy family (100%)

87 115 Midwich Audio-visual equipment supplier Norfolk Dec 14 280.8 20% 11.6 36% 436 Stephen Fenby (56%), other

management (44%)

88 Esh Group Construction contractor Durham Dec 14 276.8 44% 11.6 122% 1,105 Michael Hogan & family (40%), Anthony Carroll

(18%), Jack Lumsden (18%), others (24%)

89 125 Caffè Nero Coffee house operator Central London May 15 *276.0 10% *24.2 2% 4,194 Gerry Ford (60%), Paladin Partners

(30%), staff (10%)

90 112 Day Lewis Pharmaceuticals retailer Croydon Mar 15 *274.6 14% *18.7 3% 1,567 Kirit Patel MBE & family (100%)

91 128 Johnsons Cars Car dealer Redditch Dec 14 270.3 22% 2.4 4% 706 Management (53%), Dale family

(47%)

92 101 RG Carter Building contractor Norwich Dec 14 269.6 3% 3.4 24% 1,097 Robert Carter & family (100%)

93 121 William Jackson Food Group Food producer

North Humberside Apr 14 268.5 17% 16.0 24% 1,960 Jackson family (88%), former

employees (12%)

94 Study Group Education service provider Central London Dec 14 268.2 5% 19.3 26% 2,721 Providence Equity Partners, Bromlee

Superannuation Pty, management

95 117 Cognita Schools operator Milton Keynes Aug 14 264.7 14% 10.6 17% 5,181 Bregal Capital, KKR, management

96 Whitworth Bros Flour miller Wellingborough Mar 14 261.9 4% 7.4 35% 303 Martin George & family (100%)

97 The Grass Roots Group Business services provider Hertfordshire Dec 14 259.6 -6% 6.8 164% 910 WPP (45%), David Evans (27%),

other management (28%)

98 150 Hill Housebuilder

Waltham Abbey, Essex Dec 14 258.4 29% 18.2 28% 299 Hill family (85%), employee trust &

management (15%)

99 Carey Group Builder Wembley Mar 14 257.6 37% 6.9 129% 632 John Carey (40%), Patrick Carey

(30%), Thomas Carey (30%)

100 148 AvailableCar Car dealer Cheshire Dec 14 256.7 27% 7.0 33% 498 Graham & Alison Bell (100%)





Company

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Sales £

m

Sales g

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OP growth

Staff

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Rank 2014

101 151 Essence Digital marketing agency Central London Mar 15 *256.5 21% *1.0 -189% 458 Matt Isaacs (40%), Andy Bonsall (24%), Andrew

Shebbeare (24%), other management (12%)

102 Liverpool Football Club Football club Liverpool May 14 255.8 24% 7.4 -115% 570 Fenway Sports Group (100%)

103 Spencer Group Engineering services provider Hull Mar 14 †255.6 169% †2.8 157% 408 Charlie Spencer (91%), Noreen

Spencer (9%)

104 Watkin Jones Group Property developer Gwynedd Sep 14 255.2 85% 14.6 106% 316 Watkin Jones family & family tusts

(100%)

105 Hays Travel Travel agency Sunderland Oct 14 253.1 47% 3.0 1,652% 922 John Hays (56%), Irene Hays (44%)

106 Vospers of Plymouth Car dealer Plymouth Dec 14 250.9 21% 4.3 32% 684 Peter Vosper & family (100%)

107 126 Sandicliffe Car and van dealer Nottingham Dec 14 250.9 13% 3.7 11% 646 Woodhouse & Barton families

(100%)

108 162 Huntswood Customer service provider Reading Sep 14 250.1 31% 44.0 4% 1,379 David Brownlow (56%),

management (44%)

109 133 Westover Group Car dealer Bournemouth Dec 14 249.4 18% 6.6 10% 675 Peter Wood & family trust (100%)

110 170 The Hut Group Online retailer Northwich Dec 14 248.0 35% 15.0 65% 1,049 Founders & management (40%), pe

consortium & other investors (60%)

111 Maplin Electronics Electronic equipment retailer Rotherham Mar 15 †243.0 11% *12.3 n/a 2,500 Rutland Partners (>50%),

management (<50%)

112 161 Drayton Group Car dealer West Midlands Dec 14 241.3 27% 5.4 56% 387 Guest family (77%), Ken & Jane

Forbes (23%)

113 154 CNG Commercial gas supplier Harrogate Apr 15 *240.9 22% *8.9 70% 88 Jacqui Hall (28.33%), Tim Jones (28.33%), Chris

England (28.33%), other management (15%)

114 116 Drive Motor Retail Car dealer Leicester Dec 14 237.2 2% 4.6 25% 722 Steve Bessex (50%), Paul Manning

(50%)

115 137 Peoples Car dealer Edinburgh Jul 15 *236.7 15% *5.5 24% 400 Brian Gilda (85%), Stewart Ramsay

(15%)

116 248 Volac Dairy nutrition supplier Hertfordshire Dec 14 *†235.1 19% *†14.3 47% 391 Family & charitable trusts (77.4%),

Neville family (22.6%)

117 192 Addison Lee Minicab & courier services provider Central London Aug 14 235.0 33% 35.0 63% 752 The Carlyle Group (>50%), Liam

Griffin & Griffin family (<50%)

118 198 FM Conway Infrastructure services provider Dartford Mar 15 234.5 42% 15.7 58% 1,077 Michael Conway (95%), Kim Conway

(5%)

119 209 Oasis Dental Care Dental care provider Bristol Mar 15 234.0 48% 9.1 75% 3,149 Bridgepoint & management

120 Bibendum PLB Group Wine importer & distributor North London Mar 15 233.8 35% 0.9 61% 240 International Wine Investment Fund

(19%), management & others (81%)

121 132 Sigma Pharmaceuticals Pharmaceutical distributor Watford Aug 14 232.8 8% 2.7 12% 234 Bharat Shah & family (66%), Orion

Trust (34%)

122 Stadco Automotive Automotive component manufacturer Telford Dec 14 232.4 21% 15.4 -9% 1,209 Pension Protection Fund (33%), Barclays (21%),

management (20%), other investors (26%)

123 118 The Little Group Book, film & music wholesaler Eastbourne Feb 14 232.2 16% 6.3 -11% 1,083 Yvette Stafford (30%), Jonathan Little (30%),

Andrew Little (30%), Alan & Jean Little (10%)

124 179 Park Resorts Caravan park operator

Hemel Hempstead Dec 14 230.0 36% 57.9 161% 2,400 Electra Partners & institutions(75%),

management (25%)

125 119 Anglian Group Home products supplier Norwich Mar 14 229.9 10% 11.6 50% 1,961 Consortium of financial institutions

(94%), management (6%)





Company

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126 143 Lightcliffe Car dealer Milton Keynes Dec 14 *229.4 11% *2.5 10% 533 Ian Rutter (80%), Michael Ostrowski

(20%)

127 146 VIP Computer Centre IT component distributor Warrington Jun 14 227.0 11% 2.3 -1% 264 Sahni family (100%)

128 Nisbets Catering equipment supplier Bristol Dec 14 226.7 17% 28.2 5% 1,049 Andrew Nisbet (96%), Management

(4%)

129 Pizza Hut Restaurant operator North London Dec 14 225.5 -2% 3.3 98% 8,454 Rutland Capital Partners (67%), Jens

Hofma (9%), other management (24%)

130 Encon Insulation distributor West Yorkshire Jul 15 *225.0 17% *7.2 67% 576 Stuart Moore (70%), management

(30%)

131 Winvic Construction Construction contractor Northampton Jan 15 *224.8 54% *8.9 103% 130 David Ward (29%), Simon Girardier

(29%), Simon Hunt (29%), other (13%)

132 145 Day's Motor Group Car dealer Swansea Dec 14 223.1 9% 12.4 14% 531 Graham Day (34%), Jillian Day (34%),

Geoffrey Day Settlement (32%)

133 Solarcentury Solar technology developer Central London Mar 15 222.3 104% 10.7 164% 200 Private equity investors (69%), other

management & employees (31%)

134 153 CHI & Partners Advertising agency Central London Sep 14 220.9 11% 5.6 14% 374 WPP (49%), management (51%)

135 Advanced Computer Software Software developer Cobham, Surrey Feb 15 220.5 9% 21.6 22% 2,083 Vista Equity Partners

136 130 Control Risks Risk management consultancy Central London Mar 14 218.2 3% 22.1 66% 2,544 Management, employees & ex-employees (72%), funds

managed by NVM Private Equity (20%), Hiscox (8%)

137 Anderson Group Truck & van dealer Motherwell Dec 14 217.7 37% 3.8 231% 518 Samuel Anderson (25%), Anderson

Family (75%)

138 245 Keltbray Group Civil engineering contractor

Southwest London Oct 14 216.9 50% 8.0 79% 869 Brendan Kerr & family (100%)

139 201 MKM Building Supplies Builders' merchant Hull Sep 14 212.9 30% 12.5 73% 809 Management (51%), 3i (38%), LDC

(11%),

140 169 Beadles Group Car dealer Kent Mar 15 *212.0 15% *2.8 -12% 430 Paul Boast (40.8%), Peter Liddle

(40.8%), other (18.4%)

141 134 Sparrows Offshore Group Offshore services provider Aberdeen Dec 13 211.7 14% 15.5 10% 1,855 AEA Investors, management

142 138 Alliance Medical Diagnostic imaging services Warwick Mar 15 *210.7 0% *34.5 43% 1,464 M&G Investments (>50%), management

& syndicate of financial investors (<50%)

143 141 LGC Analytical services laboratory

Southwest London Mar 15 *209.8 1% *12.3 55% 2,009 Bridgepoint (>50%), management

(<50%)

144 139 Dr Martens Shoe manufacturer & retailer Northamptonshire Mar 14 209.1 30% 29.6 22% 759 Permira (70%), Griggs family &

settlements (20%), management (10%)

145 142 Arran Isle Building products distributor Halifax Dec 14 208.7 1% 4.7 34% 936 Robert Barr (20%), Robert McTighe

(20%), other management (60%)

146 Palletways Palletised distribution franchiser Lichfield May 14 208.2 11% 2.2 0% 508 Phoenix Equity Partners (88%), James

Wilson (4%), management (3%), other (5%)

147 235 Tinopolis Film & television producer South Wales Sep 14 208.0 42% 14.8 10% 640 Vitruvian Partners (70%),

management (30%)

148 144 Dawnus Construction Civil engineering contractor Swansea Dec 13 206.2 16% 16.7 -8% 1,840 Co-founders (87%), other

management (13%)

149 Foster + Partners Architectural consultancy

Southwest London Apr 15 205.2 29% 49.1 50% 1,284 Partners & employees including

Lord Norman Foster (100%)

150 183 Reynolds Food distributor Hertfordshire Dec 14 203.5 14% 2.1 -32% 833 Reynolds family (100%)





Company

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Year end

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Sales g

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Rank 2014

151 Byrom Sporting events management Cheshire Sep 14 201.0 231% 13.4 191% 268 Byrom family (77.5%), Parker family

(22.5%)

152 182 NSL Traffic services provider West London Dec 14 199.2 11% 2.5 -5% 5,189 AAC Capital Partners (78%),

management (22%)

153 157 Ogilvie Group Vehicle lessor Stirling Jun 14 198.4 15% 3.1 66% 470 Ogilvie family (100%)

154 181 Fresh Direct Food wholesaler Bicester Aug 14 198.4 11% 6.1 80% 1,051 Bain Capital (>50%), Colin Harris

(<50%)

155 176 JRL Group Construction contractor Hertfordshire Dec 14 198.0 10% 4.2 24% 448 John Reddington (34%), Peter

Moran (33%), Kevin Keegan (33%)

156 Allam Marine Generator/football club Hull Dec 14 196.6 20% 12.0 -478% 318 Assem Allam & family (100%)

157 200 Hyperion Insurance Group Insurance broker & underwriter Central London Sep 14 195.0 19% 34.0 14% 1,789 Management & staff (70%), General

Atlantic (30%)

158 188 Snows Motor Group Car dealer Southampton Dec 14 194.8 12% 2.5 33% 506 Snow family (90%), management

(10%)

159 Macrae & Dick Car dealer Inverness Dec 14 194.0 18% 2.5 59% 460 William Hamilton & family (94%),

management (6%)

160 246 Timpson Retail services provider Manchester Sep 15 *194.0 14% *16.0 35% 3,150 John Timpson & family trusts (100%)

161 199 Wagamama Noodle bar operator Central London Apr 15 193.3 18% 10.9 101% 3,865 Duke Street Capital & Hutton Collins (82%, Duke

Street majority partner), management (18%)

162 Malcolm Group Logistics & construction services

Linwood, nr Glasgow Jan 14 193.3 0% 6.6 24% 1,872 Malcolm family (78%), Caird Capital

(19%), other (3%)

163 242 Oak Furniture Land Furniture retailer Swindon Sep 14 191.5 32% 11.3 58% 880 Jason Bannister (100%)

164 Prezzo Restaurant operator

Woodford Green, Essex Dec 14 189.9 14% 22.7 11% 3,638 TPG (100%)

165 204 Mount Anvil Property developer & contractor Central London Dec 14 189.5 17% 12.4 -25% 159 Killian Hurley & family (78%), Senior Management (16%), Staff

through the Mount Anvil Group Ltd share incentive plan (6%)

166 Randall Parker Food Group Meat distributor Northamptonshire Sep 14 188.8 2% 3.6 101% 491 Ron Randall & family (67%), W & J

Parker (33%)

167 LA International IT recruitment organisation Stoke-on-Trent Jun 15 *188.8 11% *9.1 15% 100 Paul Luckic (93%), other

management (7%)

168 225 Spearhead International Integrated food & agricultural business Cambridgeshire Dec 14 185.7 22% 19.7 3% 1,874 Paine + Partners, management

169 Maviga Specialty crop supplier Kent May 15 184.8 30% 5.8 83% 81 Marcus Coles (57%), Mike Quann (24%), Christian

Lude (9%), other management (6%), others (4%)

170 BSW Timber Timber supplier Berwickshire Mar 14 184.7 16% 6.1 101% 887 Brownlie family (93%), other (7%)

171 Taylor Maxwell Building products supplier Bristol Mar 15 183.5 31% 5.6 145% 164 Management & employees (100%)

172 167 JJ Food Service Food distributor Enfield Mar 15 181.7 -1% 11.0 47% 779 Kiamil family (100%)

173 Dawsongroup Asset rental operator Milton Keynes Dec 14 181.3 13% 45.4 26% 676 Peter Dawson & family (100%)

174 Sertec Automotive engineer Birmingham Mar 15 180.8 32% 16.3 51% 1,114 Management (57%), Graham

Mosedale & family (43%)

175 NewDay Credit card operator Central London Dec 14 179.5 70% 8.4 -412% n/a Varde Partners (96%), management

(4%)





Company

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Rank 2014

176 190 Tayto Crisp & snack manufacturer

Craigavon, Co Armagh Jun 14 179.0 8% 7.4 36% 1,419 Hutchinson family (100%)

177 219 Hatfields Car dealer Wakefield Jan 15 177.8 15% 5.5 23% 355 Williams family (100%)

178 236 Craig Group Shipping & energy services group Aberdeen Apr 14 177.7 21% 20.3 17% 1,096 Craig family (100%)

179 S G Smith Car dealer Dulwich Dec 14 177.4 9% 3.7 58% 394 Robert Smith, MD (57%), BJ Howe (15%),

Florence Kane (14%), Philip Smith (14%)

180 Radisson Blu Edwardian Hotels Hotel operator West London Dec 14 176.4 8% 35.3 25% 2,244 Jasminder Singh & family (97%),

other (3%)

181 212 Suttons Group Logistics & supply chain services Cheshire Apr 15 *176.2 12% *8.3 -22% 1,131 Sutton family trusts (100%)

182 Resource Solutions Group Recruitment consultancy Bristol Jun 14 176.2 12% 7.9 14% 191 Keith Dawe (89%), Sanderson Computer Recruitment

Executive Scheme (10%), Joanna Dawe (1%)

183 186 Photobox Group Personalised product retailer Central London Apr 14 175.3 19% 6.1 -11% 768 Investors including Insight Venture Partners, Highland

Capital Partners, Index Ventures & HarbourVest

184 244 Whitworths Food producer & distributor Northamptonshire May 14 †174.8 21% †8.6 13% 375 Equistone Partners Europe (74%),

management (26%)

185 185 Albert Bartlett Potato grower Lanarkshire May 14 174.5 0% 12.0 27% 853 Ronnie Bartlett (100%)

186 The Original Factory Shop Discount retailer Burnley Mar 15 174.3 7% 6.9 243% 2,819 Duke Street Capital (75%),

management (25%)

187 214 Dune London Footwear retailer Central London Feb 15 *174.0 11% *7.4 61% 2,233 Daniel Rubin (44%), Anne Rubin

(43%), others (10%)

188 Vantage Motor Group Car dealer Harrogate Dec 14 173.9 66% 1.6 44% 408 Mark Robinson (63%), Philip White

(27%), management (10%)

189 Andrew Page Vehicle component distributor Leeds Sep 14 †173.2 37% †4.5 -48% 2,395 Endless (47.5%), Phoenix Equity

Partners (47.5%), Jim Sumner (5%)

190 NRL Recruitment consultancy Cumbria Dec 14 172.8 28% 6.4 70% 128 Andrew Redmayne (52%), Hugh

Redmayne (22%), Redmayne family (26%)

191 240 Jennings Car dealer Tyne and Wear Dec 14 172.4 18% 1.3 7% 410 Nas Khan (100%)

192 Yearsley Group Frozen food supplier Lancashire Mar 14 172.1 10% 4.6 -31% 1,067 Yearsley family (100%)

193 Morris Group Housebuilder Cheshire Mar 14 171.8 31% 23.1 14% 195 Management (62%), Quayle Munro

(23%), GSO (15%)

194 171 AH Worth Farmer & food distributor Lincolnshire May 14 171.4 -7% 6.2 15% 843 Worth Family (100%)

195 213 LWC Drinks distributor Manchester Sep 14 171.4 9% 8.5 77% 524 Robin Gray (88%), Ebrahim

Mukadam (12%)

196 208 Adare Marketing services provider West Yorkshire Oct 14 170.8 7% 5.5 16% 837 Endless (75%), management (25%)

197 Hillarys Window coverings retailer Nottingham Oct 15 *170.0 12% *14.0 26% 1,491 European Capital (75%),

management (25%)

198 Danbro Payroll services provider Blackpool Mar 14 169.7 22% 4.5 36% 3,786 Damian Broughton (50%) Helen

Broughton (50%)

199 218 Specialist Cars Car dealer Stevenage Dec 14 169.6 9% 2.3 41% 286 Michael Donovan (50%), Clive

Fletcher (50%)

200 223 The Car People Car dealer Wakefield Apr 15 *169.4 10% *5.6 19% 410 Carnell family (76%), other

management (24%)





Company

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Year end

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Rank 2014

201 250 IESA Supply chain manager Warrington Mar 14 *168.0 18% *3.1 64% 350 Gresham Private equity (75%),

management (25%)

202 Wiggle Online sports goods retailer Portsmouth Feb 14 167.9 19% 2.8 -78% 393 Bridgepoint (>50%), management &

others (<50%)

203 221 Barbour Clothing manufacturer South Shields Dec 14 167.4 10% 29.3 0% 989 Dame Margaret Barbour (51%),

Barbour family trust (46%), other (3%)

204 230 JacTravel Travel services provider West London Oct 14 165.7 10% 7.3 -1% 240 Vitruvian Partners (>50%),

management (<50%)

205 William Hare Group Structural steel engineer Bury Dec 14 165.5 5% 3.6 42% 1,738 Hodgkiss family (83%), other (17%)

206 166 Kent Foods Food distributor Renfrew Dec 14 165.2 -11% 7.9 73% 93 Janet Dalglish (47%), Iain Dalglish

(46%), Donal Kennedy (7%)

207 RG Group Construction project manager Kent Dec 14 165.1 12% 1.5 31% 135 John Chadwick (27%), Jon Noble (24.5%), Mike

Steel (24.5%), other management (24%)

208 Kingsland Alcoholic drinks distributor Manchester Jun 14 165.1 3% 3.4 12% 287 Management (100%)

209 The White Company Home accessories retailer West London Mar 15 *163.6 14% *12.8 101% 1,323 Chrissie Rucker (99%), Nick Wheeler

(1%)

210 203 Mulalley Construction contractor Essex Mar 14 162.8 20% 13.1 54% 589 O'Malley family (80%), Teresa Taylor

(20%)

211 Chiltern International Group Pharmaceutical researcher Slough Dec 14 †160.5 28% †22.4 19% 1,443 Galaxy Limited Partnership (representing a consolidated

investment group of individuals) (90%), management (10%)

212 Anesco Energy efficiency consultancy Reading Mar 15 160.2 50% 20.7 86% 114 CBPE (83%), Management (17%)

213 Vines Car dealer Guildford Dec 14 158.9 21% 2.3 21% 301 Brendan Moynahan, Duncan

MacNaughton & Patrice Moynahan (100%)

214 234 Brindley Garages Car dealer Wolverhampton Nov 14 158.4 8% 1.4 14% 390 Robin Brindley (39%), Avril Philipson & family (35%),

Juliet Gill (21%), Che Watson (5%)

215 Thurlow Nunn Group Agricultural machinery & car dealer Norfolk Dec 14 158.2 12% 3.0 20% 470 Thurlow family (100%)

216 226 Davies Turner Logistics, freight operator Warwickshire Mar 15 158.0 5% 5.2 11% 827 Stephenson family (94%), other (6%)

217 Citygate Car dealer

Ruislip, Middlesex Dec 14 157.2 18% 1.4 42% 421 Jonathan Smith (100%)

218 238 Lifestyle Motor Group Car dealer

Royal Tunbridge Wells Mar 15 157.2 7% 4.3 26% 438 Marc Matthew (50%), Peter Isted

(50%)

219 Toolbank Tool distributor Kent Dec 14 157.2 11% 11.6 23% 776 John Twallin (13%), estates &

settlementsTrust (47%), other (40%)

220 Symphony Furniture supplier Barnsley Dec 14 157.2 21% 5.9 35% 1,234 Douglas Gregory (100%)

221 Fairview New Homes Housebuilder Enfield Dec 14 157.0 11% 53.9 69% 204 Carlyle Group (80%), other (20%)

222 Search Consultancy Recruitment consultancy Glasgow Jan 15 156.3 18% 4.9 49% 568 Saints Capital (65%), mangement

(35%)

223 Simpsons Malt Malt producer

Berwick-Upon-Tweed Dec 14 155.8 -1% 11.4 15% 217 Simpson family (77%), other family

& management (23%)

224 Barretts Car dealer Canterbury Dec 14 155.5 10% 1.9 93% 358 Barrett family (98%), other (2%)

225 217 Charles Tyrwhitt Shirts Clothing retailer Central London Aug 14 *155.4 22% *16.3 6% 700 Nick Wheeler (95%), Peter Higgins

(5%)






Company

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Rank 2014

226 243 Dalziel Butchers' supplier Lanarkshire Sep 14 154.7 7% 10.9 13% 512 Stuart Dalziel (43%), John Darroch

(21%), EBT (15%), other (21%)

227 Rygor Group Commercial vehicle retailer Wiltshire Apr 14 154.6 24% 2.6 -28% 556 Tim Stacey (40%), Graham Drake

(30%), Paul Reed (30%)

228 222 Addo Food Group Food producer Nottingham Mar 14 152.6 0% 5.6 79% 1,412 Vision Capital (majority),

management (minority)

229 Thompson Motor Company Car dealer Preston Dec 14 152.2 10% 2.5 -7% 248 Stuart Thompson (94%), Andrew

Stoyle (5%), Dale Bland (1%)

230 Bradfords Builders' merchant Yeovil Apr 14 152.1 13% 3.1 67% 1,018 Bradford family & management

(100%)

231 Yeomans Car dealer Worthing Dec 13 151.8 10% 2.7 -28% 355 Smith family (100%)

232 Filshill Food wholesaler Glasgow Jan 15 151.3 -4% 1.4 55% 196 Ronald Hannah & family (93%),

Fraser Harrison (7%)

233 Quorn Food producer North Yorkshire Dec 14 150.3 7% 19.6 50% 614 Monde Nissin (100%)

234 Callcredit Information Group Consumer data analyst Leeds Dec 14 149.9 19% 24.7 -5% 1,204 GTCR (49%), Alpinvest (13%),

management (38%)

235 Brandpath Group Ecommerce technology developer Marlow Apr 14 149.2 13% 0.5 3% 206 Peter Jones (100%)

236 Ideal Shopping Home shopping retailer Peterborough Dec 14 149.1 9% 10.4 120% 785 Blackstone (85%), management

(15%)

237 Norkem Chemical exporter Cheshire Dec 14 148.5 6% 4.1 37% 104 Lynne Colling (64%), Alan Nicholson

(5%), other (31%)

238 P D Hook Poultry producer Oxfordshire Oct 14 148.4 29% 20.8 54% 709 Hook family (100%)

239 Colt Ventilation systems provider Hampshire Dec 14 146.0 -4% 4.2 36% 957 O'Hea family (75%), Colt Foundation

(22%), other (3%)

240 Meyer Timber Group Wood panel distributor Stoke-on-Trent Dec 14 145.8 6% 7.2 10% 335 The Meade family Office

241 216 Chain Reaction Cycles Online bike retailer County Antrim Dec 13 144.9 -7% 5.2 362% 612 Watson family (100%)

242 Petroplan Recruitment consultancy Guildford Dec 13 144.0 7% 5.5 15% 99 John Reeder (45%), Graham Pyle (45%), Andrew Speers (10%),

Jess Coles (5%), Jocelyn Thomerson (5%), Pauline Horton (5%)

243 CPL Industries Solid fuels supplier Chesterfield Mar 14 143.9 2% 16.9 13% 484 Vision Capital (78%), current &

former management (22%)

244 SMC Cars Car dealer

Hillingdon, Uxbridge Nov 14 143.7 10% 1.3 23% 306 Mike Warnes (100%)

245 241 Park Garage Group Fuel forecourt operator Croydon Jun 14 143.6 -4% 1.5 60% 72 Balraj & Sunil Tandon (100%)

246 Richer Sounds Audio-visual retailer Central London May 14 143.4 1% 5.6 15% 494 Julian Richer (95%), Rosie Richer

(5%)

247 T.O.M. Vehicle Rental Rental vehicle provider Lanarkshire Mar 15 143.2 45% 9.5 62% 491 Rafferty family (50%), Hugh Stewart

(25%), Grier family (25%)

248 Wealmoor Food importer

Stanmore, Middlesex Mar 14 142.8 14% 2.6 20% 806 Leena Malde (50%), Vilasgauri

Dhanani (50%)

249 Parkdean Holiday parks operator

Newcastle Upon Tyne Jan 15 142.6 10% 19.7 19% 2,028 Alchemy Partners (65%), Polygon Global

Opportunities (17%), management & staff (18%)

250 The Works Value retailer West Midlands Apr 15 *141.7 11% *6.9 15% 1,246 Endless, Dean Hoyle, management

team



ONES TO WATCHThe Top Track 250 Ones to Watch is a new feature this year that showcases ten companies which did not have high enough sales to rank on the league table, but have achieved strong sales and/or profit growth and merit recognition.

This year’s ten finalists are shown in the table below.

Company HQ location Year end

Sales £m

Profits £m

Staff Founded Short profile

Ainscough Crane Hire Crane hirer Wigan May 14 116.2 17.5 983 1976

Has recovered strongly from the financial downturn, growing profits 13-fold to £17.5m over two years, before being sold to Oaktree Capital for an undisclosed sum this year

Argus Media Energy information provider Central London Jun 14 107.8 29.5 574 1970

Has offices in 20 of the world's commodity centres, and has grown through acquisitions, doubling exports in four years to £96.1m in 2014 and generating double-digit profit margins

Cath Kidston Lifestyler retailer West London Mar 14 115.7 15.9 799 1993

Known for its vintage-inspired floral prints, Cath Kidston has 221 shops across Britain, Ireland, Spain and Asia, and doubled sales in the last three years to £115.7m in 2014

Cormar Carpets Carpet manufacturer Lancashire Sep 14 104.3 6.6 240 1956

Manufactures its carpets at its two mills in Lancashire, delivering them with its fleet of 60 vehicles, and has nearly tripled profits to £6.6m in three years

Hobbycraft Group Craft goods retailer Dorset Feb 15 141.1* 1.2 1,048 1995

With plans add to its 82 stores, says it is the largest arts and crafts retailer in the UK, and more than 1.3m people have joined its Hobbycraft Club

Numatic InternationalCleaning products manufacturer Somerset Dec 14 129.1 11.5 907 1963

Best known for its Henry vacuums, this company manufactures more than 4,000 products each day in Somerset, half of which it exports

St Austell Brewery CoBrewery, pub-owner & hotelier Cornwall Dec 14 125.4 12.3 1,068 1851

Under fifth generation family management, it grew profits 15% last year to £12.3m, when it invested £10m on acquisitions, refurbishments and production, and launched a café brand

Travel Counsellors Travel agency Bolton Oct 14 136.0 8.0 243 1994

Has achieved 21 years of unbroken sales growth and forecasts sales to rise to £165m in 2015; Equistone Partners backed a management buyout last year

Wedge Group GalvanizingGalvaniser West Midlands Mar 15 129.6 15.4 1,054 1855

Says it is the UK’s largest hot dip galvanizing business, which bounced back from the economic downturn to grow profits by 68% this year to £15.4m

White StuffFashion retailer South London May 15 131.4 13.9 1,669 1985

Grew profits 44% this year to £13.9m, driven by online sales, its European wholesale business and four recent concession openings in Germany

Steve Byrne, MD of Travel Counsellors, which provides customised holiday and corporate travel packages to 450,000 clients a year

* Supplied by the company



THE RULES OF ENGAGEMENT

The eleventh annual Top Track 250 league table ranks Britain’s leading private mid-market growth companies by latest sales. It complements the Top Track 100 annual league table of Britain’s private companies with the biggest sales, listing the next 250 firms.

Criteria: Companies must be profitable and report a greater than 10% increase in either sales or operating profit in their latest accounts. Sales must be no more than £628m and are taken from a company’s latest accounts, excluding shares from joint ventures and associate companies. Profits are defined as operating profits before exceptional items, joint ventures and impairment of assets. For accounting periods not equal to a year, financials have been presented in proportion on an annual basis. Only companies reporting turnover for financial years ending after December 2013 are included.

Companies had to be registered in the UK and be independent, unquoted and ultimate holding companies.

Companies that had sales below the 250th company or did not meet the criteria were considered for our Ones to Watch programme (page 33).

Exclusions: Quoted companies, subsidiaries, joint venture/consortium organisations, companies that generate the majority of sales through quoted subsidiaries, not-for-profit companies, co-operative societies, mutual societies, housing associations, member-owned buying groups and partnership structures are all excluded.

Data collection: Sources used included Bureau van Dijk’s Fame, Companies House and Experian’s MarketIQ. Some companies nominated themselves, others were identified through desk research and draft accounts.

The research was concluded on 1 August, 2015. Accounts filed after that date were not able to be considered.

Incomplete data: Private company information can be incomplete and, while every effort is made to include all qualifying companies, there may be omissions.

Disclaimer: The companies in the Top Track 250 are not endorsed, guaranteed or recommended by the sponsors or Fast Track, nor are they necessarily the best-run companies.

Nominations: These can be made at Fasttrack.co.uk or sent to [email protected]

Some exceptions were made to the qualification criteria set out above. The compiler’s decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into.



Sacha RomanovitchChief executive

Grant Thornton is a leading financial and business adviser. Our focus is on unlocking growth for dynamic organisations – those changing, growing and shaping the economy, from start-ups through to large corporates.

Our underlying purpose is to build a vibrant economy, based on trust and integrity in markets, dynamic businesses, and communities where businesses and people thrive. We work with banks, regulators and government to rebuild trust through corporate renewal reviews, advice on corporate governance, and remediation in financial services. We work with dynamic organisations to help them grow. And we work with the public sector to build a business environment that supports growth, including national and local public services.

www.grantthornton.co.uk

SPONSORS & MEDIA PARTNER

Fast Track would particularly like to thank Grant Thornton for their sixth year of title sponsorship, Barclays for their sponsorship for a fourth year, and The Sunday Times for their continued support of the Top Track 250 for the last 11 years.

The sponsors do not endorse, guarantee or recommend investment in any of the companies.

Sponsors



Richard LoweManaging Director, Head of London, Corporate Banking

Barclays is a major global financial services provider with an extensive international presence in Europe, the Americas, Africa and Asia.

We provide corporate banking solutions to businesses with an annual turnover of more than £5 million in the UK, and to large local companies, financial institutions and multinationals in non-UK markets. We support the success of our clients by providing lending, risk management, cash and liquidity management, trade finance, and asset and sales financing.

For further information about Barclays, please visit our website www.barclays.com.

The Sunday Times has been Fast Track's media partner for all 19 years.

The Sunday Times is Britain’s No 1 newspaper for business, and the leading broadsheet newspaper attracting over three million readers every week. More than half (54%) of the business elite read The Sunday Times, a greater market share than any other publication, according to the latest Ipsos survey.

The Sunday Times business section celebrates its 50th anniversary last year.

www.thesundaytimes.co.uk

Dominic O'ConnellBusiness editor

Media partner



ABOUT FAST TRACKCompiler & publisher

Hamish Stevenson owns and runs Fast Track, which he founded in 1997 after securing cornerstone sponsorship from Richard Branson. He works closely with leading entrepreneurs, sponsors and media partners to try to ensure their expectations are exceeded, and that they remain engaged with the alumni network.

He is an associate fellow at Green Templeton College, OxfordUniversity, where he completed his masters and doctorate in management studies and subsequently set-up and held the Virgin research fellowship in entrepreneurship.

The authors

Richard Tyler leads Fast Track’s research and editorial, working closely with sponsors and companies within our network.

He was the enterprise editor of The Daily and Sunday Telegraph for nine years, covering private companies and government policy towards business. He trained in journalism at Euromoney, part of The Daily Mail & General Trust, after completing his degree at Manchester University.

Mike Harding is responsible for managing the research for the Top Track 250.

He trained as a chartered accountant with Grant Thornton (Oxford) and has an audit and corporate finance background. He has a degree in mathematics from Birmingham University.



CONTACT DETAILS

Fast Track Angel Court 81 St Clements Street Oxford OX4 1AW

Tel: 01865 297 100 Fax: 01865 297 001

Email: [email protected] Web: www.fasttrack.co.uk twitter: @ST_FastTrack

Fast TrackTop Track 250 is compiled by Fast Track, the UK's leading face-to-face networking events and research company, which ranks top-performing private companies and entrepreneurs.

Fast Track has compiled league tables on private companies in partnership with The Sunday Times for the last 19 years. It publishes six other annual league table awards programmes:

SME Export Track 100 ranks Britain's SMEs with the fastest-growing international sales (total sales less than £25m)

Tech Track 100 ranks Britain's private technology (TMT) companies with the fastest-growing sales

Fast Track 100 ranks Britain's private companies (excluding TMT) with the fastest-growing sales

International Track 200 ranks Britain's mid-market private companies with the fastest-growing international sales

Profit Track 100 ranks Britain’s private companies with the fastest-growing profits

Top Track 100 ranks Britain’s private companies with the biggest sales

Fast Track is based in Oxford with 24 staff, and a network of freelance researchers.

britain's private mid-market growth companies · 2015 top track 250 fasttrack.co.uk top track...

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