On 10th May we hosted a celebration of 1000 Companies to Inspire Britain. 1000 Companies to Inspire Britain is an annual celebration of some of the fastest-growing and most dynamic small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the UK. As well as identifying 1000 companies, the annual report examines in detail the opportunities and challenges facing SMEs and looks at the sectors and trends that will shape the future of the UK economy. The report features several ELITE Companies, including Renal Services, Evolution Funding, van Elle, Zuto and E-Leather.

From left to right: London Market Open, Ivonne Cantu from Cenkos, Xaviet Rolet (CEO of LSEG) and Greg Clark (Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy)

The Rt Hon Greg Clark, Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:

“I want to congratulate the 1000 companies from across the UK featured in London Stock Exchange Group’s pioneering 1000 Companies to Inspire Britain report. Championing high growth innovative SMEs is crucial for the continued success of the UK economy and a country that works for everyone. We are committed to ensuring that companies of all sizes can access finance to grow, scale-up and create high quality well-paid jobs across the country.”

Xavier Rolet, CEO, London Stock Exchange Group:

“Four years on, LSEG’s ‘1000 Companies to Inspire Britain’ report continues to highlight the dynamic, entrepreneurial and ambitious businesses across the country that are boosting UK productivity, driving economic growth and creating jobs. The strength and diversity of these companies is readily apparent with a broad mix of UK regions and sectors represented. These companies are the very heart of an ‘anti-fragile’ economy: more robust; more flexible and less prone to boom and bust. We must ensure we continue doing all we can to support high growth potential businesses like these.

London Stock Exchange Group is fully committed to supporting and implementing initiatives which improve access to and cut the cost of finance for growing companies. We welcome the Government’s focus on supporting SMEs as part of its Industrial Strategy and await the outcome of its review into long-term patient capital.”

REPORT HIGHLIGHTS

• Companies growing at an exceptional average rate of 70% a year, higher than the average of 50% last year
• 35% of companies in the report come from the Northern Powerhouse and Midlands Engine regions
• Scottish companies continue to be the fastest growing with 91% annual average revenue growth
• Composition of companies demonstrates high growth in both traditional industries and more recent economic success stories; highest number of companies in Engineering and Construction sector with 134, followed by Financial Services with 82
• Real Estate is the fastest growing sector with an average annual revenue growth rate of more than 100%, closely followed by Engineering and Construction at 91%
• Number of retailers featured in the report up by 13%, indicative of resilient consumer spending.  Companies include Monica Vinader, Oliver Bonas and Loaf
• UK’s reputation as a centre for high tech industry underlined by a 20% increase in the number of SMEs drawn from the IT industry