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North East firms named among Europe’s 1000 fastest growing companies

Released early Friday morning (April 7) the Financial Times’ inaugural ranking of Europe’s fastest-growing businesses, The FT 1000, includes a number of high-flying companies which hail from the North East.

The league table, which will feature in a Financial Times special report at the end of April, lists the 1,000 companies in Europe that have achieved the highest percentage growth in revenues between 2012 and 2015.

The North East firms appear alongside multiple leading names in British business, with UK entrants dominating the ranking’s top ten.

Appearing at 203rd on the list, Newcastle-based True Potential recorded a whopping 596% growth in revenue and was the highest ranking firm from the region to make the list.

The business, which today employs over 300 people, provides technology and information to around two million private clients.

Slightly lower down on the list is Tees Valley-based Communicate PLC. The support services business, founded in 2011, enjoyed revenue growth of 529% during the period and is placed at number 228.

Seaham CCTV specialists Hadrian Technology, featuring at number 252, appears next on the list after achieving an equally-impressive 486% revenue growth rate.

Established in 1999, the firm advises clients on the design and installation of bespoke high-quality CCTV solutions, operating software and digital cloud-based storage through to ongoing maintenance.

Tech firm OnTrac, founded in 2008, was the next highest North East scorer with 399% growth. The IT solutions provider, based in Gateshead, provides a wealth of digital services helping to modernise traditional industries from construction and manufacturing to local government.

With 243% revenue growth, and now employing over 1400 people, Newcastle IT recruitment specialist Frank Group features on the list at number 458.

As well as those appearing in the top 500, the region also found representation further along the table through a number of other consistently-performing North East stalwarts.

Peterlee food and beverage firm Goodfellow & Goodfellow, which supplies items such as crockery to leading restaurants, appears on the list at number 576 after recording 185% revenue growth during the period.

Burnopfield-based Hodgson Sayers, founded in 1979, features on the list at number 825 having recorded 99% revenue growth for the period.

Newcastle-based IAM Sold, which runs property auctions online, featured at number 894 whilst Newcton Aucliffe construction business Roman also made the list at number 993, completely a great show from the region.

Reaction

Hadrian Technology Co-Founder Gary Trotter spoke of his ‘immense pride’ in being recognised amongst Europe’s fastest-growing companies.

Gary commented: “Being named in both the FT 1000 and the Sunday Times Virgin Fast Track 100 is testament to the outstanding sales growth we have achieved in recent years and the hard work and dedication of our highly-skilled team.

“As we continue to expand, we are actively looking to harness new technologies to enable us to offer cloud-based storage software and hardware solutions that will enable clients across multiple sectors, including retail, leisure, and hospitality, to more effectively identify and defend fraudulent slips, trips and falls claims.”

Gary added: “We are looking forward to continuing to grow our business, both in the UK and overseas, as the use of CCTV for business intelligence becomes more widespread.

To read the full FT 1000 and to find out more information on the methodology and criteria behind the list click here.