A list showing the fastest-growing mid-market companies in the North of England includes five businesses from Liverpool city region operating in music, sports nutrition, facilities management and energy. Tony McDonough reports
Five businesses in and around Liverpool city region have been named on a new list showing the North of England’s fastest-growing mid-market companies.
Compiled by Manchester PR and marketing firm MC2, the High Growth 50 is now in its second year. It analyses Northern-headquartered businesses with revenues between £10m and £300m.
Companies were selected using Growth Flag’s data analytics platform, and assessed on metrics including turnover growth, headcount growth and equity investment.
Growth Flag’s analysis shows that 76% of this year’s cohort are projected to achieve at least 20% growth in the next 12 months – underlining their continued contributions to the Northern economy.
Collectively, this year’s top 50 have also increased headcount by 69%. With an average company age of 21 years, the list highlights a mix of experienced operators and scaling challenger brands driving the region forward. The local five are:
- Sentric Music: Based in Liverpool, Sentric Music is a music publisher that registers song lyrics and compositions across 65 global territories. Now owned by French outfit Believe SA, Sentric’s most recent annual revenues were £56.5m with pre-tax profits of £2.7m.
- Applied Nutrition: From its headquarters in Knowsley, Applied Nutrition sells sports nutrition products all over the world and has deals with football clubs and other sporting entities. It floated on the stock exchange in late 2024 for £350m and its annual revenues are more than £86m and with pre-tax profits more than £18m.
- Ashley & McDonough: Also located in Knowsley Ashley & McDonough is a facilities management business, now owned by Mecsia Group. Most recent turnover was £16.9m and pre-tax profits £1.7m.
- EA Technology: Operating on the edge of the Wirral peninsula, close to Chester, EA Technology offers a portfolio of smart grid technologies to companies around the world. Annual revenues are just under £48m and pre-tax profits £5.3m.
- nZero Group: Also in the energy space Ellesmere Port-based nZero group develops operational technology, including gas quality and metering systems for multiple clients. Its most recent results show revenues of £28.5m and pre-tax profits of £1.6m.
Jonathan Saatchi, managing director at MC2, said: “Resilience and ambition are the two words that best define this year’s High Growth 50.
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“Resilience to adapt and react to a challenging macro environment affected by global uncertainty. Ambition to face that context and still have the vision to create something truly special.
“The stories behind this year’s cohort demonstrate the depth and breadth of exceptional talent across the North, and should inspire us all to think bigger about our region.”