Growth Flag analysis reveals the innovation and ambition of the North's High Growth 50

GC Insight joined a cohort of founders, CEOs and CFOs at the London Stock Exchange this week to launch the High Growth 50 - a celebration of the North’s most ambitious and innovative mid-market businesses.

Now in its second year, the High Growth 50 is an annual ranking of the North’s fastest growing and most resilient businesses with revenues between £10m and £300m.

The list is compiled using Growth Flag, a data analytics platform that accurately predicts growth potential for businesses across the UK, developed in collaboration between the Growth Company and Red Flag Alert.

Richard Jeffery, Co-Founder of Growth Flag and GC Insight’s National Director (Solutions), said:

"The Growth Flag data and analysis shows that growth is found across the whole of the north in both foundational and frontier sectors. The businesses on the High Growth 50 are creating jobs, attracting investment, and driving innovation. It’s vital that we continue to champion and support these great northern businesses."

Companies were assessed on metrics including turnover growth, headcount growth and equity investment.

Growth Flag’s analysis reveals that the top 50 companies increased turnover by an average of 105% over the past three years, with 76% projected to achieve at least 20% growth in the next 12 months – underlining their continued contributions to the region’s economy.

Collectively, this year’s top 50 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.

In a sign of the North’s resilience, there was strong representation from sectors that have rebounded since the pandemic, including travel, retail, and food and beverage. They included Mamas & Papas, expanding through high-street partnerships with Next and M&S; Applied Nutrition, which completed a £350m IPO last year; and Northern Monk, one of the UK’s leading craft brewers, which started life as a £5,000 homebrew project in a cellar.

Jonathan Saatchi, Managing Director at MC2, said:

"The High Growth 50 is about more than numbers - it’s about ambition, innovation and the spirit of enterprise that defines the North. From international brands to disruptive newcomers, this year’s cohort demonstrates that the region continues to punch well above its weight on a global stage."

Bod Buckby, Head of Primary Markets (North) at the London Stock Exchange, added:

"The companies in this year’s report are a powerful indicator of the strength of the North - spanning sectors from digital tech and consumer brands to healthcare and the green economy. This diversity underlines the importance of ensuring the UK’s capital markets continue to evolve to support growth businesses at every stage of their journey."

View the full list and report: https://thisismc2.com/high-growth-50