D-day for fastest growers
Sep 19 2007 by Iain Laing, The Journal
THE excitement is mounting as the announcement of the Ward Hadaway Fastest 50 for 2007 draws ever closer.
Next week, The Journal will be printing the definitive list of the North-East’s quickest growing businesses.
That will be followed next month by the awards ceremony at the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art in Gateshead when the pacesetters will be revealed and awards given to the winners in the small, medium and large categories.
The event on Friday, October 12 will also crown an overall Fastest 50 winner for 2007.
The Fastest 50 rewards privately-owned companies and organisations which have shown the strongest sales growth over the last two years.
It is sponsored by law firm Ward Hadaway and has become recognised as a key barometer of the region’s economy since it was launched in 1998.
The Fastest 50 has also charted the growth of some of the region’s biggest companies.
Previous winners of the awards have included Bannatyne Fitness, Eaga Partnership and The Officers Club.
Colin Hewitt, head of commercial law at Ward Hadaway, said: “The Fastest 50 is always eagerly anticipated by the region’s business community and this year is no exception. I have already had business people asking me how they have fared – of course, I have said nothing.
“The list provides an authoritative insight into the dynamism and vibrancy of the North-East commercial world and a valuable snapshot of the sectors and industries enjoying the greatest expansion.
“While not wishing to pre-empt next week’s announcement, we can reveal that a wide range of sectors are represented in the Fastest 50 for 2007 – and there may well be a few surprises in this year’s list.”
Researchers at Durham Business School have helped to compile this year’s Fastest 50, adding an extra degree of authority to the findings of the survey.
Paul Braidford, Research Associate at Durham Business School, said: “The team has been busy compiling and verifying the list by analysing the annual accounts submitted by all companies in the North-East, then whittling these down to the Top 50 growers, based on how their turnover and profits have increased over the last two years.
“My work at the business school primarily concerns enterprise and small firm development, and it was heartening to see such a wide and varied range of companies growing so rapidly, from old established names to bright new hopes for the future.”
Next Wednesday’s northern business daily will include a full run-down of the Fastest 50 companies in the North-East for 2007, with brief profiles of each business on the list.
