The UK's top growth companies
Article Date: Sep 21 2009
Our rising stars show stellar growth
41. ACM Shipping – International tanker broker that has delivered profits every year since its launch in 1982
42. Outsourcery – This acquisitive unified comms and hosted IT services concern plans to be the biggest independent player in its designated business-to-business space
43. Melorio – Even though the Labour government’s flagship Learning & Skills Council has been disbanded, huge support and, in turn, funding remains for the provision of vocational work-based training and education
44. Allocate Software – The HR software specialist now has 81 NHS trust customers, swelling revenue 36 per cent to £15.8 million by its most recent year-end
45. David Chipperfield Architects – Recently won a contract to design an extension to London’s Geffrye Museum, and with an office in Shanghai is well-positioned for Far Eastern growth
46. Heritage Automotive – Audi, Volkswagon and Peugeot dealer that has seen strong growth recently, albeit on a slim margin
47. Eco Sustainable Solutions – Recycling organic waste into compost, mulch and coloured chippings has proved profitable for MD Trelawney Dampney, who recently announced the opening of a £350,000 plant in Weymouth
48. George Pragnell – Family-run business based in Stratford-upon-Avon selling new and antique jewellery
49. Education Development International – With good levels of organic growth and the successful integration of acquisitions, this Coventry-based accredited qualifications business is set to keep teaching rivals a lesson or two in 2010
50. LK Bennett – Designer and retailer of women’s shoes whose financial performance still shines with celebrity shoppers including Penelope Cruz, Kate Moss and Nigella Lawson
Methodology
The Business XL Top 50 Rising Stars is an annual ranking of UK-based fast-growing companies reporting turnover of between £2.5 million and £100 million and profits of at least £300,000. Nominated companies must have reported growth in sales and pre-tax profits in each of the two previous years, with good prospects for a continuation of that growth. Sectors not eligible for the Enterprise Investment Scheme, such as property investment and financial services, are excluded, with the exception of nursing homes. All financials used are from the most recent year-end unless otherwise stated, though efforts have been made to assess the strength of the company’s performance following its latest annual report. The Top 50 Rising Stars is an independent ranking and no company has paid to be included.
Data has been drawn from Companies House and the following sources:
FAME, a Bureau van Dijk product
FAME contains detailed information on companies in the UK and Ireland, with software for searching and analysis
The AIM Guide
A comprehensive publication with details of all public companies listed on AIM*
Growth Company Investor
An online investor resource for news and tips on small-cap public companies*
*For more information or to order copies of The AIM Guide or Growth Company Investor call Blanka Biernat on 020 7250 7056 or email
Contributors: Marc Barber, Nick Britton, James Crux, Oliver Haill, Kathleen Hall, James Harris
