Fast and Furious – the Yorkshire businesses firing on all cylinders
29th March, 2022
In association with The Yorkshire Post, we reveal the Fastest 50 growing companies in Yorkshire for 2022.
The awards, which have been running for 12 years, recognise and celebrate the fastest growing, privately owned businesses across the region.
Based on financial data filed with Companies House, which relates to the previous three years of trading, the 2022 Yorkshire Fastest 50 identifies some of the region’s most successful businesses that bring prosperity to Yorkshire, providing opportunities for local people and attracting investment to the region.
Our prestigious awards took place at Aspire Leeds on Friday 25 March. The in-person event was the first in three years, bringing together over 150 businesses leaders from across the region. The event was co-hosted by Greg Wright of the Yorkshire Post alongside Ward Hadaway’s Leeds executive partner, Emma Digby. They were also joined on stage for a keynote speech by the acclaimed and compelling Chris Rae CBE, managing director of Rotherham based AESSEAL.
The 50 best performing companies are listed below, reflecting those which have consistently increased turnover whilst remaining profitable. They are ranked in order, with awards given to three different winner categories: small, medium, and large businesses. One of these winners is named as the overall fastest growing Yorkshire business for the year.
Emma Digby is our Executive Partner in the Leeds office and introduced the awards on the day. She said: “Friday’s event at Aspire Leeds was an absolute privilege to host and it was wonderful to have so many inspiring figures from our Yorkshire business community in the room, for the first time in a long time. The energy was electric.
“Yorkshire businesses have shown absolutely no fear in tackling whatever challenges have been thrown at them these past three years – which have been considerable. They exemplify a drive and determination that is inspiring to witness and everyone on the list deserves recognition. They have shown resilience, optimism, innovation and energy – and the fact that they share a combined turnover of £1.75billion is a testament to their hard work and tenacity.”
Taking the crown for the overall fastest growing Yorkshire business for 2022 is Leeds based building services specialist, Ivegate, which also tops the medium business category (turnover £10-£30 million). The company recorded an astounding average turnover growth of over 250 percent – one of the largest Fastest 50 businesses in Yorkshire has ever produced.
Dominic Ford is Operations Director at Ivegate. Speaking about the company’s award win, he said; “It’s humbling to win such a highly regarded award in Yorkshire, we’re very proud and it is a testament to the hard work our staff and management have put in over the last few years. Our business is based on the continued support of our clients, suppliers and, most importantly our team who work incredibly hard to deliver first class service to our customers.
“We are incredibly proud to be a Yorkshire business. We have been lucky enough to be involved in some significant projects within the region including the relocation of Channel 4 to Leeds. And we are proud to represent here. Our success is based on the core values of Yorkshire people – hard work, value for money and most importantly, honesty. We are passionate about developing the next generation of Yorkshire professionals. This is evidenced by our drive to employ at least five apprentices per year in a sector that has been starved of the development of young people for too long.”
Joule Hot Water Systems UK, based in Pontefract, West Yorkshire, took the title for the fastest growing large business (turnover over £30 million). The company provides complete renewable heating solutions through a wide range of options for heating, hot water and ventilation systems. The firm, which was ranked 7th in the Fastest 50 list in 2021 recorded an average turnover growth 61 percent to win this years’ award.
The third award winner, with a phenomenal average turnover growth of 128 percent is The Body Doctor, which specialises in eyecare, based in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire. The business won the small Yorkshire business category (turnover between £1million-£10 million). This year’s list represents companies from a broad range of sectors, including manufacturing, motor vehicle repairs, construction and the built environment, residential care, plus food and drinks. Three-quarters of the businesses featured are new to the list.
Concluding on an energising and uplifting event, Emma added: “The list this year represents a hugely diverse range of businesses flying the flag for innovation, resilience and the entrepreneurial spirit that is so vibrant and evident here in Yorkshire. Interestingly, nearly 75 percent of companies featured this year are new to the list – showing that with hard work, determination and the right decision making, you can grow significantly in a short period of time.
“Congratulations to all those who appear in this year’s Yorkshire Fastest 50 list. As a firm, we continue to champion and support businesses throughout the North, many already working with our expert commercial and corporate teams in Leeds, Manchester and Newcastle.”
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