Ward Hadaway Yorkshire Fastest 50 list is revealed

Organised by leading commercial law firm Ward Hadaway and backed by The Yorkshire Post, the list highlights and celebrates the achievements of the profitable, privately-owned companies in the region which have grown their turnover by the largest amount in recent years.

This year’s Ward Hadaway Yorkshire Fastest 50 spans a wide range of sectors from recruitment companies and food and drink retailers to manufacturers and those in the tech sector.

John Murray, Executive Partner for Ward Hadaway’s Leeds office, said: “We are delighted to present the ninth Ward Hadaway Yorkshire Fastest 50 which once again has produced a diverse mix, but with one common thread in that they all have a passion to see Yorkshire succeed.

“The list demonstrates the sheer variety of companies who are succeeding in growing their businesses, creating jobs and prosperity and attracting investment into the region.

“It is these companies which are the growth drivers of the Yorkshire economy and they deserve the accolades and the attention which being in the Ward Hadaway Yorkshire Fastest 50 brings them.

“This year’s list is impressive. All of those listed have consistently grown their businesses over a number of years whilst remaining profitable – something which we can all celebrate.”

The 2019 Ward Hadaway Fastest 50 is compiled using publicly available financial data from Companies House.

Following today’s publication of the full A to Z list, the Fastest 50 Awards will take place at Aspire in Leeds on Friday March 22nd when the winners will be revealed.

Awards will be given to the fastest growing small, medium and large business with one of these three winners going on to be named the overall fastest growing Yorkshire business for 2019.

This year, Richard Hughes, founder of Manchester investment bank Zeus Capital, will speak at the event.

Here is the Fastest 50 for 2019 in alphabetical order:

Age Partnership, Leeds

Established in 2004, Age Partnership provides a range of financial services for the over 50s. Sister company Pure Retirement also appears in the list.

Alexanders Prestige, Boroughbridge

This car dealership was founded in 2005 by Andrew North and Alexander Brimelow, and is a luxury, sports and 4×4 specialist.

Audio-Technica, Leeds

This Leeds-based company supplies headphones, microphones and turntables. They also have offices around Europe, the US and Canada.

Awesome Merchandise, Leeds

This will be the second year in a row that Awesome Merchandise appears in the list. The company has been making custom merchandise, all in-house, since 2005 after its founder began making badges to pay his way through university.

Azzure IT, Sheffield

Rated as the UK’s leading SMB Microsoft Dynamics 365 Support Partner, Sheffield-based Azzure IT has won the fastest growing small company award for the last two years. Can they make it third time lucky?

Bee Health, Bridlington

Established in 1992, Bee Health is one of the UK’s leading vitamin, mineral and supplement manufacturers.

Beechwood Leisure, Thirsk

Returning to the Fastest 50 list for the second year in a row is this family-owned and run used caravan dealership which was established in 1992.

Bennett Potatoes, Brigg

A potato supplier to the catering, wholesale and export markets.

Berkeley DeVeer, Wetherby

This family-owned business prides itself on being able to operate like a large housebuilder, whilst offering customers the service usually associated with much smaller developers.

BJSS Limited, Leeds

Established in 1993, BJSS Limited is an IT and business consultancy based in Leeds with offices in Manchester, Bristol, Nottingham and now New York. They last appeared in the Fastest 50 list in 2014.

Boston Energy, Beverley

Boston Energy supply manpower, equipment, engineering support, inspections, training and partnerships to the energy sector.

Broadland Properties Limited, Scarborough

Chaired by chartered Surveyor John Guthrie, Broadland Properties has a range of interests around the country including agricultural and sporting estates, and commercial premises and developments.

BTL Group Limited, Shipley

BTL Group’s assessment platform Surpass is used internationally to create, deliver and mark over 3 million computer-based tests every year.

Carver Engineering Services, Doncaster

Established over 20 years ago, Carver Engineering Services specialises in the manufacture of bespoke steelwork for the mining, rail, oil and gas industries.

Castle Employment, Scarborough

This will be the third year in a row Scarborough-based recruitment company Castle Employment has made the Fastest 50 list. The company opened its York office at the end of 2018.

CK Foods (Processing) Ltd, Hull

Founded by Omar and Abbas Bhamji in 2000, family-owned CK Foods produces pizza cheese, dairy products and Halal chicken finger foods.

CP Media, Halifax

This Halifax-based company manages sponsorship opportunities for councils, local businesses and the local community via roundabouts, lamp-posts and banners.

Consult Search & Selection, Sheffield

Recruiters of commercial and clinical roles within the dental, audiology, medical devices, animal health and scientific markets. The company has made the Fastest 50 list for the second year in a row.

Galaxy Insulation and Dry Lining (Holdings) Limited, Sheffield

A recent management buy-out has seen the four separate Galaxy businesses combine into a single entity distributing insulation and dry lining products. It also has offices in Leeds, Haydock and Birmingham.

HECK!, Kirklington

From a farm in Kirklington, HECK! co-founders Debbie and Andrew Keeble and the team produce a range of sausages and burgers sold in supermarkets and via their own online shop.

Hisense UK Limited, Leeds

Hisense UK were named Yorkshire’s fastest growing company overall in 2017 and finished in second place last year. The company is an electronics and consumer goods manufacturer with products including TVs, refrigerators, freezers, tablet computers and mobile phones.

J Rotherham, York

J Rotherham is another company retaining its place in the Fastest 50 list for a second year. It is a specialist stone masons, offering stone fireplaces, kitchen worktops and architectural and designer stonework.

JBG Holdings Limited, Halifax

Holding company for a number of Cash Convertor franchises throughout the North of England.

Logical Personnel Solutions, Leeds

This Leeds-based recruitment company returns to the Fastest 50 list for a second time. Founded in 2006, the business has diversified over the years into the construction, facilities management, logistics, manufacturing, training, fleet solutions and energy and process markets.

Motordepot, Hessle

Headquartered in Hessle with showrooms across Yorkshire and beyond, this used car dealership was established in 2001.

Omega Security Systems, Bradford

Omega Security Systems has been operating for more than 25 years specialising in the design, supply, installation and maintenance of commercial security systems for organisations.

Pacy and Wheatley, Doncaster

Celebrating its 50th anniversary, construction company Pacy and Wheatley’s clients include KFC, Costa Coffee, Hilton Hotels, Carphone Warehouse and Domino’s Pizza.

Peter Ward Homes, Beverley

This Beverley-based housebuilder returns to the list for a second year in a row. Established in 1978, it currently has developments in Driffield, Woodmansey, Goole, Immingham, Skirlaugh and Beverley.

Portland Investment Group, Sheffield

This holding company operates Portland Training, Payco Services, My Job Hub and Dutton Recruitment.

Pricecheck, Sheffield

Established in 1978, Pricecheck is a second-generation, family-owned business. The wholesaler also appeared in the Fastest 50 list in 2012 and 2011.

Project:ff&e, Halifax

Founded in 2010, Project:ff&e is a leading supplier of furniture, fittings and equipment to the hotels, care homes, student accommodation, schools, and the private rental sector.

Pure Retirement, Leeds

Equity release advisers Pure Retirement were named last year’s fastest growing large and overall business. The company is joined on the 2019 Fastest 50 list by sister company Age Partnership.

r2c Online, Sheffield

This automotive fleet software company was founded in 2003 and offers a range of services to clients including Avon Fire & Rescue, B&M and Co-op.

Redline Specialist Cars, Knaresborough

Used car dealership Redline stocks a range of Ferraris, Lamborghinis, Land Rovers, Porsches, Bentleys, Mercedes, Audis and BMWs. The company was ranked 18th in last year’s list.

RF Landscape Products, Whitley

Importers and distributers of a range of stone products including natural stone paving slabs, external porcelain, railway sleepers and interior tiles.

RW Refrigeration Wholesale, Leeds

This independent wholesaler of air-conditioning and refrigeration products stocks 6,000 products in its 14 branches around the country.

Scan-Thors (UK) Limited, Keighley

Finishing 9th last year, this mail-order wholesale business is another Fastest 50 returnee.

SDH Project Services Ltd, Brighouse

Formed in 2001, this telecommunications business offers its clients a range of services including copper and fibre networks, oil and gas infrastructures, managed services, consultancy and design. It also offers installation and commissioning services to companies that don’t wish to work in hostile environments.

Sherwood Restaurants Ltd, Doncaster

This McDonald’s franchise operates a number of restaurants including one in The Dome Leisure Park in Doncaster.

Sigma, Castleford

Sigma makes it a hat-trick of appearances in the Fastest 50 list this year. The company has over 20 years’ experience of delivering store fit-outs to clients including ASDA, Footlocker and The Works.

Sigmat, Skipton

Formed in 2001, Sigmat design, manufacture and build load bearing light gauge steel framed structures. It has appeared in the Fastest 50 list twice before, in 2018 and 2014.

SmartSearch, Leeds

This company provides anti money laundering searches and verifications to law firms, accountancy practices, estate agents, financial advisors, banks, insurers and stockbrokers. It also appeared in last year’s Fastest 50 list.

Styrene Packaging & Insulation, Bradford

Formed in 1976, this Bradford-based company manufactures insulation products for building interiors, exteriors, floors, roofs and civil engineering applications. It last appeared in the Fastest 50 list in 2016.

The Ashcourt Group, Hull

From its inception in 1996 as a student accommodation provider, this Hull-based company now also has divisions in aggregates, civil engineering, plant hire, construction, concrete, highways, logistics, fuels, waste management, software and homes.

Torsion Group, Leeds

This independent development and construction company builds student accommodation, care homes and housing. With its HQ in Leeds, the company also has offices in Manchester and Coventry.

Trust Care Ltd, Doncaster

With headquarters in Doncaster, Trust Care operates seven care homes around Yorkshire.

Ultimate (Commercial Interiors) Ltd, Silsden

A design, fit-out and refurbishment company working with offices, the hotel and leisure sector, schools, colleges and universities and also public and private healthcare providers.

Verona, Leeds

Another company returning to the Fastest 50 list for the second year in a row, Verona was established in 1999 and distributes tiles and mosaics in natural stone, glass, porcelain and ceramic.

Wilsons Furnishers (Holdings) Limited, Wath-upon-Dearne

With its headquarters just outside Rotherham, this stockist of carpets, rugs and flooring has 16 shops across South Yorkshire and Lincolnshire. It also appeared in last year’s list.

Woodhouse (Lund) Ltd, Lund

This family-run business is headed by Jonathan Walker and builds bespoke properties around East Yorkshire.

The companies in this list have been selected from the table of fastest growing profit-making, private, regional companies, based on turnover growth.

Information has been compiled using data which is publicly available at Companies House of UK-listed companies before being independently verified.

The average turnover growth has been assessed on a percentage increase based on the difference between turnover figures filed for the last three years.

To qualify, companies must be trading entities and have turnover in excess of £1m in the last three years of filed accounts, which are up to date as at 30 November 2018. Companies must also have made profits in each of the past three years’ accounts and must have filed new accounts since last year’s Fastest 50.

Private limited companies which are subsidiaries of listed companies do not qualify. Subsidiaries of foreign-controlled companies have been accepted if they have headquarters or a decision-making function in the region.

Ward Hadaway and The Yorkshire Post do not accept any responsibility for any errors or omissions.