Thames Valley SME 100 Growth Index 2022 revealed

The annual Thames Valley SME Growth 100 index recognises and promotes the region’s high-growth small and medium-sized enterprises, and is ranked by year-on-year growth.

To be included in the listing, businesses need to be based in the Thames Valley and to have grown their turnover significantly in the past year. The listing only includes independent, privately-owned companies, headquartered in the region, with a turnover of no more than £20m.

View the full Thames Valley SME 100 Growth Index 2022 >>

The 2022 edition of the Thames Valley SME Growth 100 index is sponsored by law firm Herrington Carmichael, commercial property consultants Hicks Baker and audit, tax, advisory and risk firm Crowe UK.

This year, more than half of the listing’s top 100 companies are newcomers, demonstrating the impressive growth that so many businesses have managed to achieve, particularly with so many newcomers appearing toward the top of the listing.

Top of the index this year is Oxford BioTherapeutics with a substantial growth of 154.5%. Based in Abingdon, this clinical-stage oncology company has made great progress in the development of immunotherapies for cancer, focusing on ‘first-in-class immune therapies’ that aim to improve the outcomes for patients.

Though new to the listing, Porthaven Group, based in Windsor, takes second place. An independent company, this group specialises in building and operating ‘market-leading care homes’ that offer ‘exceptional surroundings’, fine dining, and dementia care.

In third place is the Winnersh-based FullCircl, previously on the listing as Artesian Solutions, supporting businesses with customer lifecycle intelligence that will help to engage with customers to keep them on for life, encouraging its clients to ‘own the market’.

Despite being another newcomer, UK Land Group takes fourth place and exhibits the highest turnover statistics in the listing’s top 5. Based in Hungerford, this company owns properties throughout the UK and specialises in the acquisition of ‘privately and publicly owned property companies’ as well as venturing into land where there are perceived ‘medium to long term’ opportunities.

Fifth place is filled by yet another newcomer – The Hartley Wintney-based IMSL (Industrial Microbiological Services) provides a testing and consultancy service that specialises in the microbiology of materials. IMSL is customer and service-driven, producing claims that are supported by ‘fully robust, scientifically and statistically sound data’.

The Business Magazine congratulates all the companies that qualified for this year’s TV SME Growth 100 iIndex.

View the full Thames Valley SME 100 Growth Index 2022 >>

We will be launching our annual TV SME Growth 100 awards shortly and announcing the categories and criteria for this year. The Awards and Private networking event will be held early 2023.

Meet the Awards judges

Giles Blagden Managing Director of commercial property specialist Hicks Baker: 

“​​We are delighted to be sponsoring these awards for another year.  As commercial property agents, we see many types of business and few are more exciting than those faster-growing organisations whose property needs continuously evolve. These awards provide us with the opportunity engage further in the Thames Valley business community and help those high achieving shortlisted businesses reach the next level of their development that bit sooner.” 

Hicks Baker is a leading independent firm of commercial property specialists and Chartered Surveyors based in central Reading, focused on supporting property owners and occupiers throughout the Thames Valley and southern England address their property needs. 

The firm has a strong track record of helping clients at all stages of the property cycle - from the acquisition of development sites, via lettings, asset and property management and building surveying, to the sale of investment properties. Hicks Baker also provides respected research and market commentaries. 

Alistair McArthur Partner and Head of Employment at law firm Herrington Carmichael: 

 “Herrington Carmichael has been a sponsor of the SME100 Growth Awards for several years now, we are the sponsors of the ‘Growth under £10 million award’ and the ‘Workforce of the year award’. 

“We would like to congratulate all those who have made the final top 100 list – an award in itself. Our award categories will now look a little deeper at further criteria to find an outstanding winner.” 

Herrington Carmichael is a full-service law firm offering legal advice to UK and international businesses as well as individuals and families. 

Rated as a ‘Leading Firm 2022’ by the legal directory The Legal 500 and ranked in Chambers UK. Herrington Carmichael has offices in Ascot, Wokingham, Camberley and London. Our historic connection with our local area consolidates our position as a leading source of legal advice in Surrey, Berkshire, Hampshire and the Thames Valley region. 

Stuart Weekes Corporate and Innovation Tax Partner at Crowe UK: 

“We are pleased to sponsor the Thames Valley SME Growth 100 index for the first time this year and we have been struck by the resilience and optimism of the growing businesses in our region, particularly under such challenging trading conditions. It never ceases to amaze me to see the diverse, talented and innovative businesses operating in the Thames Valley. While we might expect to see technology companies doing well, it is good to remind ourselves of the strength of other sectors such as manufacturing, retail and beyond.” 

Mark Allen Corporate Finance Partner at Crowe UK: 

Crowe UK is a national audit, tax, advisory and risk firm with global reach and local expertise. Our Thames Valley office, based in Reading, advises and supports businesses across the region. By investing in long-term relationships and practical financial guidance we help our clients achieve their business and personal goals throughout their whole lifecycle from start-up through growth and onto exit.  

“We are excited to sponsor awards covering “SME over 10 million” and the “Owner Managed Business” and look forward to understanding the personalities and drivers that are behind such strong company growth.”