High Growth 50 reveals 105% topline growth across the North’s top-performers

The North’s most ambitious mid-market companies have increased turnover by an average of 105% over the past three years, according to the 2025 High Growth 50.

The annual ranking, compiled by Manchester-based strategic marketing communications agency MC2, spotlights the region’s fastest-growing and most resilient businesses.

Now in its second year, the High Growth 50 champions Northern-headquartered businesses with revenues between £10m and £300m. Companies were selected using Growth Flag’s data analytics platform, and assessed on metrics including turnover growth, headcount growth and equity investment.

Growth Flag’s analysis shows that 76% of this year’s cohort are projected to achieve at least 20% growth in the next 12 months – underlining their continued contributions to the Northern economy.

Collectively, this year’s top 50 have also increased headcount by 69%. With an average company age of 21 years, the list highlights a mix of experienced operators and scaling challenger brands driving the region forward.

In a sign of the North’s resilience, there was strong representation from sectors that have rebounded since the pandemic, including travel, retail, and food and beverage. They include Mamas & Papas, expanding through high-street partnerships with Next and M&S; Applied Nutrition, which completed a £350m IPO last year; and Northern Monk, one of the UK’s leading craft brewers, which started life as a £5,000 homebrew project in a cellar.

Founders, CEOs and CFOs from this year’s cohort came together at an exclusive market close ceremony at the London Stock Exchange, alongside partners at Shore Capital Markets and HSBC UK. Each business shared their personal stories during a c-suite roundtable before closing the London market with Julia Hoggett DBE, chief executive of the London Stock Exchange plc.

Jonathan Saatchi, Managing Director at MC2, said: “Resilience and ambition are the two words that best define this year’s High Growth 50. Resilience to adapt and react to a challenging macro environment affected by global uncertainty. Ambition to face that context and still have the vision to create something truly special.

“The stories behind this year’s cohort demonstrate the depth and breadth of exceptional talent across the North, and should inspire us all to think bigger about our region.”

Bod Buckby, Head of Primary Markets North, London Stock Exchange, added: “The companies in this year’s report are a powerful indicator of the strength of the North – spanning sectors from digital tech and consumer brands to healthcare and the green economy. This diversity underlines the importance of ensuring the UK’s capital markets continue to evolve to support growth businesses at every stage of their journey.”

MC2 is an employee-owned strategic marketing communications agency that works with high-growth businesses. It helps management teams to build and maximise value, create the conditions to drive sales and develop magnetic employer brands.

For more information and to view the full list, visit: https://shorturl.at/taBqe