Surrey Kent Sussex 250 launches for 2022
The Surrey Kent Sussex 250 is an annual listing celebrating the top performing 250 privately-owned businesses (by annual sales turnover) headquartered in the Surrey, Kent or Sussex region.
The listing, compiled and published by The Business Magazine, is sponsored by accountancy and business advisory firm BDO, HSBC Bank, investment banking firm Zeus, recruitment specialists CMA Recruitment Group and full-service law firm Irwin Mitchell.
Top of the SKS 250 listing this year is Wates Group. Based in Leatherhead, it prides itself with inspiring ‘better ways of creating the places, communities and businesses of tomorrow’. Celebrating its 125th anniversary this year, Wates Group is a longstanding leader in the SKS region.
Horley-based SGN takes the second spot on the SKS 250 listing, and with over 85 years of experience behind it, it’s ‘leading the way in energy delivery’. Having recently launched a £500,00 community fund to help customers with the cost of living and making efforts to become net zero, SGN is dedicated to bettering all aspects of its business.
Third on this year’s SKS 250 listing is OCS, an international facilities management company headquartered in Crawley. With 20,000 customers across the globe, the business’ journey from a one-man window cleaning company to an international company has seen them supporting businesses for more than a century.
Based in Crawley, Pets Corner sits in the fourth spot, spurred by its love of animals since 1968, it prides itself on being family-run and ‘the world’s only carbon neutral pet shop’. In its time, the business has come a long way armed with ‘passion, compassion and a little bit of luck’.
The fifth spot on the 2022 SKS 250 listing is held by the Woking-based McLaren Group. Driven by a ‘reputation for excellence and the unremitting desire to win’, the McLaren Group has been successful in making a global name for itself and cementing itself as one of the top businesses in the SKS region.
Click here to view the listing
The listing programme includes online coverage and a private invite-only dinner and awards event in June to recognise the best-performing companies across a variety of verticals and disciplines.
Meet the Awards Judges
Richard Dibden – Commercial Partner at CMA Recruitment Group
"CMA Recruitment Group is delighted to be involved as a co-sponsor once again in the Surrey, Kent & Sussex 250 (SKS 250), this year with Growth Company of the Year. Last year was the inaugural year of the SKS 250 and the awards ceremony held at The RAC Club in Surrey demonstrated both the breadth of fantastic businesses in the region and the appetite for such a programme.
"As the leading independent Accountancy & Finance, HR and Executive consultancy in the South, it was an absolute pleasure to meet with, and to acknowledge these businesses and we are keen to continue this association. The opportunity to work with our fellow sponsors in conjunction with The Business Magazine provides an outstanding opportunity to showcase and connect the companies in the Surrey, Kent and Sussex region.
"We would encourage all businesses within the SKS 250 to fully participate in the programme as those involved last term were incredibly positive about the exposure and networking opportunities this provided."
Phil Cliftlands, Regional Managing Partner at BDO South East
“BDO South East is delighted to be sponsoring the Technology and Innovation Award category in Surrey, Kent Sussex 250 Awards for the second year running and to recognise the exceptional achievements of these fast-growing companies in the South East. The innovation and resilience they have shown during these turbulent times are testament to the vision and leadership of the founders and entrepreneurs. BDO is committed to championing the enormous contribution these top performing companies make in the region and across the country, and to celebrating their success through these Awards.”
Nick Hicks – Head of Corporate Banking at HSBC UK
"HSBC is delighted to have the opportunity to be the sponsor for the International Business Award in the Surrey, Kent Sussex 250's fastest-growing businesses category. HSBC is an International Bank that continues to support domestic businesses with ambitions to expand overseas or those with a large global footprint. We work closely with our customers to provide ideas and solutions to the challenges they have been facing during these uncertain times. Being recognised as part of this event provides an opportunity for International Businesses within the region to celebrate their achievements and to reflect how they have been so successful."
Paul McGlone – Head of Business Development at Zeus
"Zeus is delighted to be sponsoring the CEO of the Year category in the Surrey, Kent Sussex 250 Awards. It is an honour to recognise the top-performing privately owned companies within the region, and the CEOs that lead them.
"All the CEOs in the category have shown exceptional leadership throughout the past few turbulent years and it is an honour to celebrate their successes and their contribution to the region and beyond. Zeus is committed to advising private businesses throughout their entrepreneurial lifecycle, to execute their current strategy."
Katie Byrne, Partner at Irwin Mitchell
“Irwin Mitchell is delighted to be sponsoring the SKS 250 again this year to recognise the fantastic businesses across Surrey, Kent and Sussex that have demonstrated resilience, entrepreneurial spirit and strength over the past 12 months. We are excited to sponsor the Environment, Social and Governance Award, which is such a critical part of business success and are looking forward to seeing the innovative ways businesses are proactively dealing with these issues. At Irwin Mitchell we are committed to helping businesses attain their goals and we are confident that this listing and award programme will go some way in helping local businesses attain both regional and national recognition.”
