Today marks the culmination of our annual rundown of the Top 500 companies in the East Midlands with the publication of our Top 20 list. Between them those companies – a combination of retailers, car dealers, builders, digger builders, engineering giants, sandwich makers, recruitment companies and car manufacturers – had combined annual revenues of £43.6 billion.
Because the stats used are based on Companies House accounts covering July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021, that overall figure is a direct reflection of the impact of Covid-19 on the UK economy. The previous year’s overall revenues for the Top 20, by comparison, were £50 billion.
For the fourth year, Nottingham’s Boots UK is the number one company in the East Midlands – but saw its turnover fell to £7.8 billion in the year to August 31, 2020 from £8.7 billion the year before.
Although it saw a big drop in sales, its most recent trading update showed a welcome boost over the latest three months thanks to shoppers snapping up own label products in a bid to get better value – and shopping online.
The annual list was once again put together by De Montfort University Professor of Enterprise Prof David Rae, in a partnership between the business schools at the De Montfort, Derby and Nottingham Trent universities, supported by East Midlands Chamber.
This year our rundown is sponsored by NatWest Group and Leicester property developer and landlord Bradgate Estates.
In his report into the findings Prof Rae said: “Looking first at the Top 10 businesses in the 2023 table, it reflects a continuing concentration in their business sectors.
“Dunelm Group is the sole new entrant, having increased turnover by a remarkable £278 million, and as a retailer, joins Boots, Frasers Group, NEXT and Wilkinsons in making up half of the Top 10.
“The automotive sector is next, with Sytner Group and Pendragon as major dealership groups and Toyota as a manufacturer.
“Finally, Barratt and Bloor as major housebuilding companies complete the Top 10, and these were the only other firms whose turnover, based on house sales, increased during the year.
“The companies in the 11-30 grouping reflect a wider range of business activities.
“The strength of the housebuilding and construction materials sectors remain evident with 5 companies.
“The manufacturing sector, led by Bombardier and then Rolls-Royce group of companies and Vaillant Group as significant businesses are more evident, also including the food manufacturing sector, Samworth Brothers and Refresco.
“Major business service and finance organisation retain high positions, as do a range of retailers including Games Workshop which rose 20 places, Watches of Switzerland and Crown Crest Group, which owns the Poundstretcher and Bargain Buys brands.”
Here are the 20 top businesses in the East Midlands:
(2020 position in brackets)
20. MILLER HOMES GROUP LTD (21)
Miller is one of the UK’s biggest housebuilders. From its Derby base operates from three divisions – Scotland, North of England and Midlands & South – and is strategically positioned in ten regions. In the last year the business completed 3,800 homes with an average selling price of £294,000.
Turnover: £664,800,000
Number of employees: 1,007
Postcode: DE24 8RF
Accounts to date: 31/12/2020
19. MOTORPOINT GROUP PLC (19)
“Nearly new” car retailer Motorpoint Group operates showrooms and retail outlets throughout the UK, all from its HQ in Derbyshire. The company has taken a hit in revenues since last year but remains in the top 20.
Turnover: £721,400,000
Number of employees: 769
Postcode: DE21 6LY
Accounts to date: 31/03/2021
18. CATERPILLAR (U.K.) LTD (14)
The US machinery giant’s Leicestershire plant is its largest in the United Kingdom, out of which it serves major clients in the mining, marine, construction, industrial, quarry and aggregates and electric power industries. The firm has slipped four places since last year’s rankings, but looks likely to remain firmly rooted to the prestigious top 20 list.
Turnover: £756,405,000
Number of employees: 2184
Postcode: LE9 9JT
Accounts to date: 31/12/2020
17. WATCHES OF SWITZERLAND GROUP PLC (22)
The only new entry into the top 20, jewellery and watch retailer Watches of Switzerland has reported a healthy jump up in revenues over the past 12 months. The Leicester-based company is an official retailer of some of the world’s most prestigious watch brands, not least Rolex, Patek Philippe, Cartier and OMEGA.
Turnover: £905,077,000
Number of employees: 1984
Postcode: LE3 1TT
Accounts to date: 02/05/2021
16. ROLLS-ROYCE (18)
The world-renowned engineering firm entails numerous subsidiaries, reflecting its various key activities. These are Rolls-Royce Submarines Ltd, Rolls-Royce Power Engineering Plc, Turbine Surface Technologies Ltd, Rolls-Royce Solutions Uk Ltd, Rolls-Royce Overseas Holdings Ltd And Ross Ceramics Ltd.
Thankfully for the region two of its chief sites are still based in Derbyshire - its civil aerospace division and its defence division, which supplies nuclear power plants for Royal Navy submarines. As a group Rolls Royce has had another strong year, climbing two places in the East Midlands table.
Turnover: £925,732,608
Number of employees: 4337
Postcode: DE21 7BE; DE24 8BJ; DE24 8BJ; DE24 8BJ; DE24 8BJ; DE24 8BJ
Accounts to date: 31/12/2020
15. STAFFLINE GROUP PLC (15)
Staffline remains one of the UK’s major providers of flexible blue-collar workers, supplying tens of thousands of staff per day to hundreds of client sites, across industries including agriculture, supermarkets, drinks, driving, food processing, logistics and manufacturing. The company retains its 2022 spot despite a very slight drop in revenues.
Turnover: £927,600,000
Number of employees: 2357
Postcode: NG2 1AE
Accounts to date: 31/12/2020
14. SAMWORTH BROTHERS (HOLDINGS) LTD (13)
One of the UK’s largest makers of sandwiches and wraps and a specialist in pasties, Samworth owns the renowned Ginsters brand. The family-owned company has had a slight blip in revenues compared to last year, leading to the fall, but remains one of the UK’s most popular savoury snack-makers.
Turnover: £1,052,249,000
Number of employees: 9659
Postcode: LE13 1GA
Accounts to date: 02/01/2021
13. BOMBARDIER TRANSPORTATION UK LTD (20)
Bombardier has had a very good year, resulting in a big leap up the list to 13th - a restoration of its 2021 position. The transport engineering company has also broken through the £1 billion revenues ceiling, and its reputation has been boosted by some groundbreaking - and global headline-grabbing - work in the field of sustainable flight, through its much-discussed EcoJet project.
Turnover: £1,053,223,000
Number of employees: 3930
Postcode: DE24 8AD
Accounts to date: 31/12/2020
12. BOWMER AND KIRKLAND LTD (16)
Two years ago Bowmer & Kirkland sat outside the top 20 in our list - now it is pushing for a place in the top 10. Over the past 12 months the group, which owns some 27 individual subsidiary companies operating in the construction industry, has increased both its revenues and the number of staff it employs.
Turnover: £1,110,433,363
Number of employees: 1577
Postcode: DE56 2BW
Accounts to date: 31/08/2020
11. AGGREGATE INDUSTRIES UK LTD (12)
Aggregate Industries operates one of the UK’s largest and most successful construction groups from its base in north west Leicestershire. The firm has seen a strong increase in its revenues over the past year, and a jump up in the rankings of one place.
Turnover: £1,148,336,000
Number of employees: 3318
Postcode: LE67 9PJ
Accounts to date: 31/12/2020
10. DUNELM GROUP PLC (17)
The joint highest climber in the top 20, Dunelm Group owns the eponymous homewares chain. The company reported an extremely strong performance over Christmas 2022, the first full festive period since lockdowns were released, which contributed to a major jump in revenues on the previous financial year and the strong showing in this year’s table.
Turnover: £1,336,200,000
Number of employees: 10572
Postcode: LE7 1AD
Accounts to date: 26/06/2021
9. AMALGAMATED HOLDINGS WILKINSON LTD (10)
Wilkinsons is another of the East Midlands’ major retail brands, operating hundreds of stores around the UK. The company has moved up one spot in this year’s rankings.
Turnover: £1,361,310,000
Number of employees: 16669
Postcode: NG1 6GR
Accounts to date: 30/01/2021
8. BLOOR INVESTMENTS LTD (9)
Established in 1969, Bloor Homes is one of the region’s major builders of houses and apartments. LIke all housebuilders Bloor Investments faced a tough time in the pandemic, but the company has increased its revenues since last year and climbed one spot in the business rankings.
Turnover: £1,943,908,000
Number of employees: 3431
Postcode: DE12 7JP
Accounts to date: 30/06/2021
7. TOYOTA MOTOR MANUFACTURING (UK) LTD (7)
No move for the Japanese car manufacturing giant based out of Burnaston, near Derby. The plant, which is increasingly producing hybrid petrol and electrical vehicles, is a significant employer in the region and a key part of Britain’s car manufacturing industry.
Turnover: £2,114,196,691
Number of employees: 2725
Postcode: DE1 9TA
Accounts to date: 31/03/2021
6. PENDRAGON PLC (3)
Trading under the Evans Halshaw, Stratstone and Car Store brands, Pendragon is one of the UK’s largest car dealership parent companies and, despite slipping three places in this year’s East Midlands ranking, remains one of the region’s key businesses and a major employer.
Turnover: £2,924,600,000
Number of employees: 7351
Postcode: NG15 0DR
Accounts to date: 31/12/2020
5. NEXT PLC (4)
Another East Midlands big-hitter, Next remains one of the high street’s most stable and popular fashion retailers. Sales are slightly down on last year, reflecting a tough time for many fashion brands, but the Leicester-based company remains one of the region’s top businesses and a firm top five player.
Turnover: £3,534,400,000
Number of employees: 25491
Postcode: LE19 4AT
Accounts to date: 30/01/2021
4. FRASERS GROUP PLC (5)
Frasers is best known as the owner of Sports Direct, but the Notts-based company also counts major high street names including Jack Wills, USC, Game, Evans Cycles in its portfolio. And the company is in expansion mode: most recently with the purchase of a 19% stake in home appliances and electricals retail AO World. This strong showing is reflected in Frasers climbing one place in this year’s business ranking.
Turnover: £3,625,300,000
Number of employees: 26496
Postcode: NG20 8RY
Accounts to date: 25/04/2021
3. BARRATT DEVELOPMENTS PLC (6)
Britain’s biggest housebuilder had a tough time over lockdown, losing over £1 billion in revenues as a result of the big freeze in residential sales. This was reflected in the company dropping three places to sixth in last year’s rankings. But happily Barratt has bounced back as the housing market has returned, and reclaimed third place, which it held in 2021.
Turnover: £4,811,700,000
Number of employees: 6422
Postcode: LE67 1UF
Accounts to date: 30/06/2021
2. SYTNER GROUP LTD (2)
No change in the second spot, which prestige car dealership Sytner, based in Leicestershire, has made its own. Sytner has a well-deserved reputation as a dealer of fine new and used cars, with makes including Rolls Royce, Jaguar, BMW, McLaren, and Aston Martin.
Turnover: £4,870,257,000
Number of employees: 9466
Postcode: LE19 1ST
Accounts to date: 31/12/2020
1. BOOTS UK LTD (1)
Nottingham’s biggest employer retains its top spot in the region. No wonder when the pharmacy and beauty giant posted a healthy 16% sales increase in the three months to the end of February, following a strong Christmas trading period. Boots is in the process of opening a string of luxury premium beauty halls in select locations in a bid to retain its position in the lucrative beauty market.
Turnover: £7,803,285,000
Number of employees: 42564
Postcode: NG2 3AA
Accounts to date: 31/08/2020
