A list released today to coincide with International Women’s Day and supported by the Centre for Entrepreneurs, DueDil and the Start Up Loans Company, shows that Britain is without doubt one of the best countries for women in business.
The Prime Minister highlighted the survey and praised the entrepreneurial spirit of Britain’s businesswomen.
Commenting, the Prime Minister said:
“Backing female entrepreneurs to start-up and grow their businesses, create jobs and help secure Britain’s recovery is a crucial part of our long-term economic plan.
We are helping more women than ever before to start-up and lead businesses, there are record numbers of women in work and the number of women on FTSE Boards is at an all-time high.
Fortuna 50 showcases the great variety of businesses that are run by women in the UK, inspiring others to do the same, and we are determined to do everything we can to help even more women with great entrepreneurial ideas turn their vision into reality.”
The list is formulated from compound annual revenue growth using the last 3 years of reported Companies House data as of 25 February. They are the fastest growing small businesses in the UK with single or majority women listed as founding directors, have experienced positive growth in each year, and have reached £100,000 in turnover but not exceeded £5 million.
Matt Smith, Director of the Centre for Entrepreneurs said:
“Entrepreneurial activity is undoubtedly rising in popularity, and this list shows the breadth of sectors experiencing growth and job creation across the UK. These women are inspirational role models that will surely encourage a greater number of people to start and grow a business.”
Damian Kimmelman, CEO of DueDil said:
“These remarkable businesses have been identified from over 10 million UK companies indexed in DueDil’s database. The data shows that there are many brilliant examples of women-led firms across the country.
Hopefully the diverse variety of companies on this list will demonstrate that there is no barrier to becoming a successful entrepreneur and inspire others to follow in the footsteps of those on the Fortuna 50.”
Yasmina Siadatan, Creative Director of the Start Up Loans Company said:
“There has clearly never been a better time to start a business in Britain as a woman.
Hopefully this survey will encourage even more women to start their own businesses in 2015.
We are proud at the Start Up Loans Company that a third of all our lending has gone to women and we will continue to strive to make 2015 an even better year for women who want to start a business.”
1. JMR Solicitors
Law firm based in Cheshire
Founding directors: Marium Razzaq and Jane Morris
Growth: 551%
2. ArchCo Developments
Property development company based in Essex
Founding director: Siobhan Cook
Growth: 498%
3. LIM Independent Living & Community Care Services
A domiciliary care agency based in Surrey
Founding director: Marcia St. Clair-Morris
Growth: 487%
4. Zoom Nurseries
Nursery located in Blackheath, founders also have several nurseries located in South East London
Founding directors: Sophie Hubble and Bella Landen
Growth: 363%
5. LJM Consultancy
Specialist housing training services located in Edinburgh
Founding director: Lorraine Marlow
Growth: 229%
6. Wonderwall UK
Paint and decoration company
Founding director: Adina Bodana
Growth: 181%
7. Roz Barr Architects
Architectural studio based in London
Founding director: Roz Barr
Growth: 131%
8. Apatchy London
Designers and makers of bespoke lifestyle gifts personalised with gripper patches based in London
Founding directors: Georgie Stacey and Sam Tolhurst
Growth: 127%
9. Chorus Solutions
Professional IT and creative services based in Portishead
Founding director: Emma Sherry
Growth: 118%
10. The Literary Platform
Online magazine exploring interface between literature and technology and specialist digital projects consultancy based London
Founding director: Sophie Rochester
Growth: 116%
11. PureImage
Display, exhibition panel and digital signage specialists based in London
Founding director: Jingwen Wang
Growth: 111%
12. Tyne Bank Brewery
Brewery based in Newcastle
Founding director: Julia Austin
Growth: 101%
13. Bird of Paradise London
Online retailer of cashmere knitwear based in London
Founding director: Karen Wainwright
Growth: 96%
14. Nomadic Films
Production company based in London
Founding director: Andrea Kleanthous
Growth: 96%
15. Gill Davies Associates
Design consultancy based in London
Founding director: Gill Davies
Growth: 95%
16. EC Care
Nursing and care agency serving clients in Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and surrounding areas
Founding directors: Eithne Creighton and Ann Marie Creighton
Growth: 93%
17. The Oracle Group
Marketing and communications agency focusing on the property sector, based in Surrey
Founding director: Caroline Coskry
Growth: 83%
18. Blake Anderson
Recruitment consultancy specialising in technical, rail and construction, based in London
Founding director: Caroline Dent
Growth: 80%
19. Deal Mania UK
Online retail site selling electronics based in Essex
Founding director: Zelly Dulger
Growth: 78%
20. Arthur Edward Associates
Recruitment consultancy focusing on the cosmetics industry with offices in London and Berkshire
Founding director: Heidi Bannister
Growth: 70%
21. St Albans Day Nursery
Nursery located in Feltham
Founding director: Ekta Patel
Growth: 68%
22. The Main Ingredient
Event catering company based in Hertfordshire
Founding director: Julie Anderson
Growth: 66%
23. CG Garden and Landscape
Design and landscape services based in Essex
Founding director: Rebecca Woolley
Growth: 65%
24. Hurley Burley
Manufacturer of silver jewellery and related gifts, based in London
Founding directors: Pippa Currey and Susan Buckland
Growth: 64%
25. Love Success
Specialist recruitment consultancy based in London
Founding directors: Julia Vassie and Jane Atherton
Growth: 61%
26. Bank House Care Homes
Residential care homes based in Nottinghamshire
Founding director: Trish Sooriah
Growth: 61%
27. AD Sprinkler Protection
Specialists in automatic sprinkler and fire protection systems based in Denton
Founding director: Amanda Ball
Growth: 58%
28. Tibbalds Planning and Urban Design
A creative team of architects, planners and urban designers based in London
Directors: Hilary Satchwell, Sue Rowlands, Jane Dann, Jennifer Ross
Growth: 56%
29. Caveat Solicitors
Specialist solicitors with offices across London
Founding director: Rehana Choudhry
Growth: 52%
30. KK Communications
Public relations and social media agency working across a range of lifestyle sectors based in London
Founding director: Katrina Kutchinsky
Growth: 52%
31. Shades Catering
Cater for weddings and private function specialising in Caribbean and English cuisine, based in London
Founding director: Sharon Yethman
Growth: 52%
32. Keaga
An executive search company specialising within the pharmaceutical and medical device industry based in Berkshire
Founding directors: Carolyn Wayman and Debbie Donnelly
Growth: 51%
33. Tia Ana’s Nursery
Nursery located in London
Founding director: Ana Marin
Growth: 48%
34. TLC Sport
Retailer of women’s sportswear and gym clothes, based in Northampton
Founding director: Sara Ayoub
Growth: 48%
35. Go Physio
Physiotherapy practice with 6 venues near Cardiff and in the South Wales valleys
Founding director: Nicky Badman
Growth: 47%
36. Hollywood Nail Icon
Nail and beauty salon based in Gateshead
Founding director: Thi Duyen Bui
Growth: 46%
37. Kram Contract Cleaning
Provide a range of cleaning services, based in Lincoln
Founding director: Sara Richardson
Growth: 46%
38. Nourish Kefir/Carr Foods
Producers of probiotic drink products, based in London
Founding director: Deborah Carr
Growth: 41%
39. Samphire Restaurant Communications
Communications agency that specialises in food, restaurant and travel PR & Marketing
Founding director: Zoe Wilmer
Growth: 39%
40. Aquaphysio
Physio and complementary therapy clinic based in London
Founding director: Wendy Skinner
Growth: 39%
41. Babies Blessing
Shop specialising in baby clothes located in Hartlepool
Founding director: Deanna Malton
Growth: 37%
42. Art Pursuits
Provide cultural and study tours across the UK
Founding directors: Nicola Smith and Alison Marshall
Growth: 37%
43. Yellow Fish Event Management
Marketing and events agency based in Brighton
Founding director: Maria Valentine
Growth: 37%
44. SW16
Estate agents located in London
Founding director: Zahra Tamjiditamar
Growth: 35%
45. Buy Associates
Provides expert advice on buying property overseas, based in Manchester
Founding Director: Caroline Roberts
Growth: 35%
46. Studio 148
Independent menswear boutique in Teddington
Founding director: Nita Sharma
Growth: 35%
47. Quigley Hair
Hair salon located in Edinburgh
Founding director: Kim Quigley
Growth: 35%
48. Ultimate Branding
Provide promotional and personalised items, based in Watford
Founding director: Joanne Simmons
Growth: 34%
49. Mainstream Cleaning
Specialist cleaning company for commercial, industrial and retail cleaning, based in Surrey
Founding director: Dawn Shields
Growth: 34%
50. Zara’s Planet
Travel business that sources horse riding holidays, based in Dunblane
Founding Director: Jill Dolan
Growth: 33%