North West firms among UK’s fastest growing founder-led private entrepreneurs

Seven North West companies are among the top 100 fastest growing founder-led private companies.

FEBE – For Entrepreneurs, By Entrepreneurs – a London-based entrepreneurs’ club aimed at supporting and inspiring entrepreneurial organisations, published its rankings today (June 21).

It says the Growth 100 celebrates British business at its best – highlighting founders that are driving their companies to deliver significant sales, revenue and profit, against a backdrop of unprecedented economic challenges.

The list shows a spread of entrepreneurial success throughout the UK with London top of the list with 26 companies, South East coming second place with 13 companies, Yorkshire in third position with 11, Scotland with nine and East Midlands closely behind with eight.

Women are founders or co-founders of nearly a third of all winning companies with the exact ratio of men to women founders standing at 68% to 32%.

To be on the list businesses must be UK registered, independent and unquoted, meeting the following criteria:

• Sales between £3m and £200m
• Trading for at least three years
• An operating profit in the latest financial year
• Founder(s) must still be involved

The ultimate ranking of 100 was data-driven, with companies ordered by compound annual growth rate (CAGR) in sales over the past three financial years.

Businesses were initially selected by either nominating themselves or through FEBE contacting them directly, as well as by accessing publicly available financial information.

In addition to the main list of 100, FEBE’s Watch List sits alongside the Growth 100 to celebrate businesses that do not meet all of the Growth 100 criteria, but have an amazing growth story and are achieving great things.

FEBE founder, Charlotte Quince, said: “We’re so excited to publish this year’s Growth 100. So many people think that business founders just ‘get lucky’ or think of an idea one day and are successful the next. But we know that the journey to success is anything but smooth.

“The Growth 100 celebrates those who have embraced the entrepreneurial roller coaster and who are now thriving as some of the fastest growing brands in the country.”

Former Dragons’ Den Dragon and FEBE Growth 100 ambassador, Jenny Campbell, said: “I’m very proud to be part of something that celebrates and supports the very best British entrepreneurs and their companies.

“FEBE Growth 100 focuses on true entrepreneurialism. Founders are unique – their experiences, their vision and their resilience are unlike anything else. So, we want to celebrate these ‘dare to doers’ and shine a light on the incredible accomplishments of some of the finest and fastest-growing companies in the country.”

The North West companies included in the Top 100 ranking are: Pets Purest (Wilmslow), Fruugo (Cumbria), Grüum (Stockport), ClearCycle (Manchester); Urbanbubble (Manchester), KBF Enterprises (Manchester), and Tile Mountain (Stoke on Trent).

Pets Purest says it is the UK’s first pet supplement brand prioritising daily pet wellbeing, providing healthy, natural alternatives to pet supplements and treats, as well as other life-enhancing products, to enrich the daily lives of pets.

Fruugo, based in Ulverston, is a global marketplace that makes cross-border shopping easy, with millions of products available from hundreds of retailers all over the world.

Grüum retails sustainable skincare, haircare and shaving solutions that are kind to the skin and our planet.

ClearCycle, in Wythenshawe, is a data-driven stock liquidation and re-commerce solution that uses market information to drive optimal product routing, refurbishment and pricing decisions, providing clients with the best yield for returns and overstock.

Urbanbubble is a property operator specialising in the leasing and management of residential communities.

KBF Enterprises, a sports nutrition business, was established in 2008 by managing director, Kieran Fisher. Today, the business is a £30m turnover enterprise, having achieved 50% annual growth for the past four years.

Tile Mountain is a one-stop online shop for all floor and wall tile needs.