Special feature: The BIG 50

By Dean

22 Jan 2015

Welcome to Lancashire Business View's BIG 50, a unique snapshot of the county's leading businesses, ranked by turnover, expertly compiled by Haworths Chartered Accountants. Mindful of the turnover/profit/cash maxim, this is, however, no vanity parade. These businesses generate jobs, and wealth, within the county, and their activities cascade to create and support a myriad of supply chain activities. They are a key component of the county's economy, and these are the BIG 50.

Jason Gledhill , area director, HSBC

We are proud to be involved in the sponsorship of the Lancashire Business View Big 50, and in recognising the important role these businesses in Lancashire play. They are not just doing business in this fine County; these are firms with links across the UK, throughout Europe and around the world. They are ambitious, keen to grow and driven to reach and even surpass their potential. Their activities feedback to bring custom, wealth and income to the region, and the importance of that can't be overstated.

They are looking beyond the borders of Europe, into the Far East, and while it is disappointing that the recent statistics show exports from the North West have fallen it is vital that companies in the North West continue to look for opportunities in these emerging markets, where HSBC is forecasting much stronger growth in UK exports over the coming decades. This includes China, where the value of British exports will increase fivefold in the years out to 2030.

Borrowing costs are low. Lancashire businesses are more confident / cautiously optimistic and the consensus is they expect to see a rate rise in 12 months’ time rather than 3 months’ time. They are seizing opportunities and are expertly managed, many learning from the recent years’ challenges. 2015 could be a great year for Lancashire business.

Simon Jordan, director, Themis

As a national award winning Apprenticeship and training provider, Themis are delighted to sponsor this year's BIG 50. This sponsorship reflects the common thread between this network of leading organisations and our aspiration to help clients embed excellence within their business operations.

We are an Apprenticeship and training partner to many of the businesses featured in this year's list, and work with such clients to provide the relevant training for growth and innovation, propelling them forward through best practice approaches.

We look forward to being part of this network and celebrating the successes of these leading organisations.

Mark Schofield, director, Haworths Chartered Accountants

When we look at the BIG 50 we see total sales and employment for the BIG 50 are more or less the same but profitability is significantly up. Perhaps most telling when we reviewed the key risks section of the directors reports we repeatedly see the directors expressing their increasing confidence in the future of their business.

The result will be increasing salaries which will be substantially spent in the North West which will in turn improve prospects of every business.

[protected message="REGISTER FOR LBV HUB BELOW TO DOWNLOAD THE BIG 50"][cta link="http://www.lancashirebusinessview.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/BIG-50-listing.pdf"]DOWNLOAD THE BIG 50[/cta][/protected]Amendments: In issue 60 of Lancashire Business View, January/February 2015, there were two errors on the printed BIG 50 table. Danbro Holdings at 21 in fact posted a pre-tax profit of £3,395,000, NOT a loss, with Daniel Thwaites a place below at 22 in fact posting a loss of £3,800,000, NOT a profit. Bugle Inn Motor Company at 34 in fact posted a pre-tax profit of £700,000, NOT a loss, with Bachy Soletanche a place above at 33 in fact posting a loss of £9,847,000, NOT a profit.

Enjoyed this? Read more from Dean

Latest news

1

CMAC Group appoints Matthew Ratcliffe as chief operating officer Matthew Ratcliffe CMAC

CMAC Group appoints Matthew Ratcliffe as chief operating officer

03 Apr 2025

2

For sale signs at The Villa Villa Wrea Green has been brought to market (Image credit: The Villa Wrea Green)

For sale signs at The Villa

02 Apr 2025

3

Montane group expands with new Lancashire hub Anthony Rae Scott Murcott And Adam Lee

Montane group expands with new Lancashire hub

02 Apr 2025

4

Trio of wins for Lancaster brand and digital consultancy Tom Grattan MD and Daniel Wallace

Trio of wins for Lancaster brand and digital consultancy

02 Apr 2025

5

College excellence highlighted in Ofsted report Fazal Dad

College excellence highlighted in Ofsted report

02 Apr 2025

Pc Prestonmacan Gif980x120 March
Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
Lancashire Net Zero Carbon Conference
Net Zero Carbon Social 1200px
Networking
18 Jun 2025

Lancashire Net Zero Carbon Conference

Crow Wood Hotel & Spa Resort, Burnley, BB12 0RT

08:30 - 13:00

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

RISE - The Academy for Female Leaders and Managers
WENDY BOWERS RISE Illustrstion copy.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
02 Apr 2025 - 08 Oct 2025

RISE - The Academy for Female Leaders and Managers

East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, Clayton le Moors, BB5 5JR

09:00 - 15:30

WHN Charity Quiz Night
Evenbrite Quiz 2025.png.png
LBV Hub Fundraisers
03 Apr 2025 - 03 Apr 2025

WHN Charity Quiz Night

The Stables Country Club, Bury , BL9 1PU

18:00 - 22:00

Chamber Breakfast Networking – April
Chamber logo - new-02.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
03 Apr 2025 - 03 Apr 2025

Chamber Breakfast Networking – April

The Dukes Theatre, Lancaster, LA1 1QE

08:00 - 10:00

Lancashire Business Expo 2025
https---cdn.evbuc.com-images-880395853-4862066883-1-original.20241022-091152-2.jpeg.jpg
LBV Hub Exhibitions
04 Apr 2025 - 04 Apr 2025

Lancashire Business Expo 2025

Sir Tom Finney Sports Centre, Preston, PR1 2HE

09:00 - 15:00

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire
LBV Hub Networking
24 Apr 2025 - 24 Apr 2025

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire

Stanley House, Blackburn, BB2 7NP

11:30 - 14:15

People Power: Exclusive Event Series
Stay ahead in 2025.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
29 Apr 2025 - 29 Apr 2025

People Power: Exclusive Event Series

People's History Museum, Manchester, M3 3ER

17:00 - 21:00

Planning for the future + navigating Inheritance Tax changes
Planning for the future + navigating Inheritance Tax changes for website.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
01 May 2025 - 01 May 2025

Planning for the future + navigating Inheritance Tax changes

Stanley House Hotel, Mellor, Blackburn, BB2 7NP, Blackburn, BB2 7NP

08:00 - 10:30

A night at the races
1.png.png
LBV Hub Dinners / Balls
02 May 2025 - 02 May 2025

A night at the races

Morecambe FC, Morecambe, LA4 4TB

19:00 - 23:59

Amber River True Bearing quarterly investment seminar
LBV Hub Seminars
22 May 2025 - 22 May 2025

Amber River True Bearing quarterly investment seminar

Cottons Hotel & Spa , Knutsford, WA16 0SU

16:00 - 18:00

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more Lbv121 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin