Business Awards
THE SUPER GROWERS The Sussex Super Growth Awards celebrates the fastest growing companies in the county. Neil Gardner, from asb law, reviews the 2017 Awards
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ow in its third year, over 110 people attended a prestigious breakfast event to find out which companies were the fastest growing across the region. Sussex Super Growth is a collaboration between asb law, Lloyds Bank and Kreston Reeves, with The Argus as media partner. It is different from traditional business awards in that the finalists don’t apply to participate as the work is already done in their financial reports filed at Companies House. The turnover growth of companies is assessed over a three-year accounting period against the Sussex Super Growth criteria to produce a finalist list. Writer and broadcaster, Simon Fanshawe OBE, announced the Sussex Super Growth 2017 winner as Forest Row-based Rydon Homes Ltd, with an outstanding growth rate of 324.8%. The company is a well-established house builder specialising in high-quality homes across the South East. Warwick Barnes, Managing Director of Rydon Homes, said: “We’re obviously delighted to have secured this award. Not only does it demonstrate the growth and success of our business over the past three years, but more importantly it is evidence that people really love our developments and are willing to call them their home. We will ensure we continue to create places that improve people’s lives and meet our purchasers’ expectations for high quality.” Rydon Homes Ltd was followed by runner-up Envision Pharma Ltd, a global medical-affairs solutions provider based in Horsham, with a growth rate of 138.5%. Third place was awarded to natural knitwear specialist WoolOvers Ltd, based in Burgess Hill with a growth rate of 124.8%. The Surrey Super Growth sponsors added their congratulations to the finalists. Andrew Hoad, Partner, at asb law LLP explained: It’s a real testament to success to make the Sussex Super Growth finalist list. It isn’t easy to maintain sustained business growth and asb
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law is proud to recognise, support and congratulate these achievements. We have a rich diversity of businesses included and it’s been interesting to see how, despite this mix, common themes have emerged from our discussions. When I walk into a Sussex Super Growth company there’s generally a buzz, a positive environment and a sense of energy. We all like the ‘wow factor’ and Sussex Super Growth finalists tend to have it.” Clive Stevens, Chairman at Kreston Reeves also commented: “As a county, Sussex has over 80,000 businesses employing more than 650,000 people and contributes over £34bn to the economy. The Sussex Super Growth Awards recognise the continued achievements of the fastest growing private companies and demonstrate that Sussex remains a great place to do business.” Nicola Haigh, South East & Thames Valley Area Director for Lloyds Commercial Banking, continued: “Sussex Super Growth is a celebration of business success across the county, and the range of great companies represented is proof that the local economy is in very good shape. I’m delighted to see such a range of industries and sectors represented and all finalists are to be congratulated.”
Andrew Hoad, Partner - Corporate Finance from asb law LLP
Clive Stevens, Executive Chairman, from Kreston Reeves LLP
Neil Gardner from asb law LLP
Arron Hendy, Editor of The Argus, said: “These Awards show off the wonderful success being enjoyed across the county and finalists should be rightly proud of their inclusion.”
Super Growers The Top Ten 1. Rydon Homes Ltd 325% 2. Envision Pharma Ltd 139%
The top three: Brian Hepburn and John Gillie (Envision Pharma Ltd), Warwick Barnes (Rydon Homes Ltd) and Neil Sansom (WoolOvers Ltd.)
3. WoolOvers Ltd 125% 4. SAS Global Communications Ltd 112% 5. A World of Buzz Ltd 103% 6. Roffey Homes Ltd 99% 7. KSD Support Services Ltd 96% 8. Dual Energy Group Ltd 94% 9. The Organised Group Ltd 92% 10. Keysource Ltd 87%
Simon Fanshawe OBE interviews Warwick Barnes, Managing Director of Sussex Super Growth winner Rydon Homes Ltd