News #other
2 January 2024

Dragons in the North: Nine businesses in Greater Manchester named among the fastest growing in the North

In partnership with UBS, nine high growth companies from Greater Manchester have been recognised in the first Fast Growth 50 list for the North of England. The list identifies the 50 fastest-scaling businesses in the region across all sectors.

The North of England is the craddle of the modern world.

Birthplace of the Industrial Revolution, it’s from the Northern forges, furnaces and industries that first emerged the innovation that expended to the whole world.

Land of contrast and innovation, filled with historical figures and modern heroes, the North has always been the source of many desires and expectations.

More powerful and united than ever, this unshakeable thirst for progress and power runds deep in the Northerners’ DNA.

The Northern Powerhouse, comprising Hull, Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds, Sheffield and Newcastle, still sets the pace for technological progress, as proved by the Fast Growth 50 list for the North of England.

When the North is acting, the whole world is watching.

A region constantly on the rise

In partnership with UBS, the world’s leading and global wealth manager, nine high-growth companies from Greater Manchester have been recognised in the inaugural Fast Growth 50 list for the North of England. The list identifies the 50 fastest-scaling businesses in the region across all sectors.

“Led by entrepreneurial spirit and often solving some of the UK’s biggest issues, the level of talent and innovation uncovered through this year’s list shows that more needs to be done to support small businesses to strengthen local economies and give back to the local community.” says Mark Goddard, Head of UK Regions at UBS Global Wealth Management.

Those honored in the North of England achieved an average growth rate of 195% between 2020 and 2022 and include:

Manchester as a figurehead

Those named to the Fast Growth 50 list in the North of England, increased revenues by £681M over a two-year period, reaching £1B in total turnover in 2022. They also created 4,900 new jobs, representing a growth in the workforce of 91%, supporting the overall economy in the North West.

Two Greater Manchester-based businesses were also recognised for individual accolades. KOMI Group were named the fastest-growing creative services firm in the North and Edge Worldwide Logistics were named the fastest-growing business-to-business services firm in the North.

“It’s great to see some of the businesses in our thriving region being recognised for their rapid growth and impact on the Northern economy. The sector diversity of the winners highlights the breadth of innovation and progress being made in the region,” said Jane Booth, Head of the Manchester Office at UBS Global Wealth Management.