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Four North East firms make Sunday Times Virgin Fast Track 100 league table

Four North East companies will feature in this year’s Sunday Times Virgin Fast Track 100 league table, published this weekend.

Now in its twentieth year, the table ranks Britain’s private companies with the fastest-growing sales over three years.

The four companies in the region, compared to three last year, are all new entrants to the list. Their sales have grown by an average of 98% a year over three years to a total of £62m and together they employ 232 people.

The region’s top-ranked company is Newcastle-based Pink Boutique, which ranks at number 12 nationally.

The online fashion retailer was founded by Alice Hall four years ago with just a £90 investment. An astute use of social media has helped it grow sales by 139% to £7.7m this year and it hopes to expand in overseas markets such as the US and Australia.

Durham-based Transflex Vehicle Rental features on the list at number 13. From having 50 vehicles five years ago, the firm now boasts a fleet of 3,300 and employs 31 people.

The vehicle rental provider achieved 134% sales growth over the last three years, generating £11.5m in sales.

Seaham-based Hadrian Technology features on the list at number 58, having reported 63% sales growth over the last three years, generating £5m in sales.

A provider of CCTV systems provider, the firm employs 11 people and its cameras help guard treasures loaned to South Shields Museum by the British Museum.

Hadrian Technology Co-Founder Gary Trotter, said: “We are delighted to have been recgonised as one of the UK’s fastest-growing companies in The Sunday Times Virgin Fast Track 100.

“The award is in recognition of the hard work and dedication of our highly-skilled team and celebrates the outstanding sales growth we have achieved in recent years.”

Newcastle-based menswear firm END., which makes half of its sales overseas via its online platform, completes the North East showing.

The Fast Track 100 is sponsored by Virgin, Barclays, BDO, BGF and Virgin Media Business, and is compiled by Fast Track, the Oxford-based research and networking events firm.

Sir Richard Branson of Virgin, the title sponsor for all 20 years, commented: “For 20 years, the Fast Track 100 has checked the country’s entrepreneurial pulse, and highlighted the best and brightest talents emerging from the UK – this year is no exception.

“When I started up in business almost 50 years ago, the word entrepreneur wasn’t really known. Now everyone knows entrepreneurs are the job makers and innovation stimulators of the world.

“More importantly, many, many more people want to join the club, and change business for good.”

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