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Countdown is on to this year’s Greater Manchester Fastest 50 Awards

The countdown has begun to the definitive list of the region's fastest-growing, privately-owned companies as we launch the Ward Hadaway Greater Manchester Fastest 50 Awards for 2018.

Kevin Marren, founder and managing director of Eccleston Homes, which scooped a double win at the Ward Hadaway Greater Manchester Fastest 50 Awards 2017

The Fastest 50, devised by leading Northern law firm Ward Hadaway and backed by the Manchester Evening News, recognises the outstanding achievements of companies across the region which have achieved the most impressive performances in growing their businesses.

The search is now on to find the 2018 winners as we compile the definitive list of the privately-owned profit-making businesses which have seen the biggest annual growth rate in their turnover.

The 2018 Ward Hadaway Fastest 50 has been compiled and verified using publicly available information from Companies House.

This A to Z list will be published at the end of April. Then on Friday, May 18th, a special event at the Museum of Science and Industry will see awards handed out to the fastest-growing small, medium-sized and large businesses for companies with annual turnover of between £1m and £7.5m, between £7.5m and £15m and over £15m respectively.

One of those three winners will then receive the ultimate accolade of being crowned the overall fastest-growing business in Greater Manchester for 2018.

Ward Hadaway is again organising and hosting the Greater Manchester Fastest 50 and 2018 marks a very special year for the UK Top 100 law firm as it is celebrates 30 years in business, with a decade in Leeds and six years in Manchester.

Paul Johnson, Executive Partner at Ward Hadaway’s Manchester office, said: “We are delighted to be teaming up again with the Manchester Evening News to launch the Ward Hadaway Greater Manchester Fastest 50 for 2018.

“Businesses sometimes go unnoticed for their achievements and so the awards provide us with an opportunity to showcase the amazing talent of companies across a wide range of sectors in Greater Manchester. The event itself also underlines our ongoing commitment to the area and to further developing our firm here.

“When we started this event in 2014, we wanted the Greater Manchester Fastest 50 to be a reflection of the dynamic business scene which we see on a daily basis working with our clients.

“Today the awards are well-established and give us a chance to acknowledge, encourage and motivate the business community, giving them valuable and well-deserved exposure in return.”

Ward Hadaway has been running Fastest 50 award schemes for companies in the North East of England every year since 1998 and for companies in Yorkshire since 2011.

Jamie Martin, Managing Partner at Ward Hadaway, said: “I’m always impressed with Manchester’s vibrant community of great entrepreneurs across the board, as well its a strong professional services sector. The growth in this region has been truly phenomenal in recent years and it’s great to be able to hold the Fastest 50 Awards here and give thriving businesses across the North the chance to shine.

“The Ward Hadaway Greater Manchester Fastest 50 Awards have been given a great reception since day one and so we are really looking forward to the 2018 Awards and to celebrating all that is great about business in this region.”

Lucy Roue, Acting Business Editor at the Manchester Evening News, added: “The Ward Hadaway Greater Manchester Fastest 50 lifts the business profile of Greater Manchester and that can only be beneficial.

“It is an ideal platform to celebrate the fantastic companies which we have here in Greater Manchester.

“Because it is based on turnover and there are categories for different-sized businesses, companies of all shapes and sizes can stand out if they succeed in growing their businesses.

“The Greater Manchester Fastest 50 has in the past uncovered some brilliant success stories and so we look forward to what the 2018 awards will bring.”

Please note that this briefing is designed to be informative, not advisory and represents our understanding of English law and practice as at the date indicated. We would always recommend that you should seek specific guidance on any particular legal issue.

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