York Top 100 Businesses Announced

After months of research, data gathering and number crunching, a team at York St John University’s York Business School revealed York’s top 100 vibrant local businesses. Based on financial reporting data, businesses were ranked according to a wide range of metrics, including number of employees, turnover, profit and shareholder funds to paint a glowing picture of economic health amongst the York business community.  

Four awards were presented at the event, including Highest Climber, Highest New Entry, One to Watch and First Place.

Professor Karen Stanton, Vice Chancellor of York St John University, said: “The Top 100 Business Awards bring to life the pride in the city of the York business community. The awards highlight the strength of the business community and show how vibrant it is. The relationship between the University and businesses in the city is something we take very seriously.  These awards give us a chance to collectively celebrate the big and small businesses in York. In the last two years we have been recognised as the fastest growing university in the UK with over 7000 students currently. Amidst times of uncertainty, we must ensure that our students and our local businesses are future-ready as we work together as a city.”

York’s top 100 businesses achieved a collective financial growth of 12.5% over the last year, compared to a national average growth of 1.2%. The top 100 also saw £6 billion revenue with an accumulative workforce of 21,000 people, which is one fifth of all York employees.

Persimmon, who saw a ten times bigger revenue margin than anyone else on the list at £3.2 billion, build over 16,000 new homes a year in more than 380 locations nationwide.

Richard Latham, Group HR Director, collected the award. He said: “We are very pleased to receive this award; it’s been a challenging year. However, today is about the city of York – a great place to do business. Whilst our reach takes us national, our heart remains in York. We are proud to recognise our history in York and what we have achieved in the community. We look forward to the year ahead where we’ll be looking to build and sell more homes.”

The Highest New Entry Award was presented to Harsh, a family-owned business that manufactures, supplies, installs and services precision hydraulic equipment and truck components. Adam Hargreaves, Managing Director, said: “For us as a company we are switched on to the potential of business and strive for excellence and continued evolution. We owe this success to our colleagues who have made this possible, and we look forward to the future. It’s great to be amongst such talent in the Top 100 business of York.”

Abingdon Health, a leading diagnostics group focused on developing, manufacturing and commercialising immunoassay tests and reader systems, was presented with the One to Watch Award. Scott Page, Finance Director Designate said: “As a company that has been in business since 2008 and employs 42 people, we are very happy to have made this list. We feel humbled to be given this award and are looking to achieve 30% growth in the next five years.”

Paragon Creative, a world –leading design development and build company, collected the Highest Climber Award after jumping from 81^st to 35^th on the list.

Amanda Procter, HR, Training & Development Director said: “This is an incredibly proud moment for us. We are delighted to be named the highest climber. Our Chief Executive is currently overseas bringing even more investment into the city of York and couldn’t be with us at the ceremony. We’re really excited about the year ahead and have further innovation planned for our business.”

This second ever list of the city’s top businesses was published in a 48 page supplement in The Press to coincide with York Business Week, a celebration of the business community in our region.

Pavers Holdings, Gear4Music, Animalcare Group and Total System Service Processing Europe all made the top five.