Advanced, one of the UK’s fastest growing software providers, has secured a ranking on The Sunday Times Grant Thornton Top Track 250 league table for the first time. The table ranks Britain’s private mid-market growth companies with the biggest sales.
One of the UK’s top business success stories, Advanced has grown its revenue to more than £200m in six years, and ranks #135 in the league table. Advanced, which employs 2,000 members of staff, is the third largest UK-based software and IT services provider to the UK market. Over the last year alone, the Group has seen operating profits rise by 22%.
Top Track 250 is compiled by Fast Track, a research and networking events company focusing on top private companies, and published in The Sunday Times each October.
The list recognises companies which have sales ranging between £140m and £650m, representing the next tier down from the sister Top Track 100 biggest private companies. Businesses typically have between 100 and 5,000 staff and are owned by established families, entrepreneurs and private equity firms.
Gordon Wilson, CEO of Advanced says: “We are delighted to have been shortlisted for The Sunday Times Grant Thornton Top Track 250, which recognises our excellent sales growth over the last financial year.
“We will continue to drive our success by further investing in our products and continuing to provide excellence in innovative technology and customer support, leading us to our goal of becoming a world class organisation.”
Norman Armstrong, Partner at Grant Thornton UK LLP, the title sponsor of the league table, praised the companies for their performance: “It’s inspiring to see such a diverse range of businesses creating growth opportunities both at home and abroad and positively contributing to the UK economy.
“Many of the businesses highlighted are recognising that the best way to grow and create sustainable profits is by developing new, innovative ways to serve their customers, alongside making a broader contribution to society.”
Advanced provides software and services to both public and private sectors, which enable organisations to improve efficiency, reduce costs and drive growth. The Group was acquired by private equity firm, Vista Equity Partners (Vista) for an enterprise value of £750 million in March 2015.
Top Track 250 was launched 11 years ago to recognise the success of Britain’s private mid-market growth companies. Since its launch more than 800 British companies have appeared in the league table, which is sponsored by Grant Thornton and Barclays.