**Welsh Businesses Shine Among Britain’s Fastest-Growing Private Companies**
A number of Welsh enterprises have been recognised as some of the UK’s most rapidly expanding private companies, according to the latest Sunday Times 100 league table. The annual ranking spotlights firms demonstrating remarkable revenue growth over the last three years, with several from Wales featuring prominently among Britain’s corporate elite.
Leading the Welsh contingent is Newport’s technology consultancy, de Novo Solutions, which has distinguished itself as the nation’s fastest-growing private business. Securing eighth place out of 100, de Novo Solutions has achieved a staggering average annual revenue growth of 186.8%. The company reported sales of £9.8 million for the year ending May 2025 and employs 115 staff, underscoring Wales’ growing reputation as a hub for cutting-edge technology firms.
Founded by Mark Sweeny and Tim Warner soon after selling their previous venture, Certus Solutions, to Accenture in 2018, de Novo Solutions has rapidly built a reputation for digital transformation. Specialising in Oracle Cloud and ServiceNow software, the firm has delivered significant projects to clients including the Ministry of Justice, ITV, and Ofgem. In March this year, de Novo expanded its footprint by opening a new office in India, highlighting its commitment to international growth.
Chief Executive Mr Sweeny expressed immense pride in the company’s achievements, noting, “We have built something special here – a company that hasn’t just grown fast, but has grown sustainably, with our people and our clients genuinely at the heart of everything we do.” He added that while the league table recognition is “an incredible achievement”, the firm remains focused on expanding its offerings and pursuing excellence in key market sectors such as local government and policing.
The success of Welsh firms mirrors wider trends identified by The Sunday Times. The research revealed that companies on the 2025 list, on average, increased sales by 111% per year over the past three years, accumulating a combined £3.4 billion turnover. This surge represents a significant increase of £500 million compared to last year’s top 100, who collectively generated £2.9 billion. The featured companies have also played a major role in job creation, employing 15,300 staff and pledging to create a further 5,300 positions in the coming year.
Wales is well-represented beyond the technology sector. Notably, Pembrokeshire-based Hair Syrup, established by Lucie Macleod, came in at 13th place with a three-year average annual growth rate of 167.4% and revenues standing at £5 million. Cardiff’s Coffi Lab, a dog-friendly coffee shop chain founded by entrepreneur James Shapland, ranked 15th, reporting £6.2 million in sales and a growth rate of 156.9%. Coffi Lab operates 11 venues, with additional branches in the pipeline.
Other Welsh companies on the list include Cwmbran’s Solar Buddies (20th place, £7 million revenue, 141% growth), mineral water brand Ty Nant from Bethania (41st, £7.7 million, 100.7% growth), Cardiff’s consumer goods venture Brand Hatchers (63rd, £6.8 million, 80.1% growth), and Swansea-based bike and motorcycle lock manufacturer Litelok (94th, £5.2 million, 59.2% growth).
At the very top of the national ranking, Scottish sports apparel firm DFYNE achieved an extraordinary 517% growth rate over the past three years, demonstrating the dynamism present across the UK’s entrepreneurial landscape. Of interest, 28 companies in the top 100 have female founders or co-founders, exemplified by Ms Macleod of Hair Syrup as well as Laura Waters and Kelli Aspland of Solar Buddies.
The overall makeup of the list signals a young, independent business environment, with two-thirds of featured firms launched in the last decade. While the majority are self-funded, only 39 have obtained external equity investment since 2011. Around half are already trading internationally, a testament to the global ambitions shared by these high-performing companies.
Jon Yeomans, business editor at The Sunday Times, commented, “The Sunday Times 100 is the definitive annual ranking of Britain’s fastest-growing private companies and demonstrates the remarkable entrepreneurial spirit thriving across Britain.” Mo Syed, Head of Barclays Private Bank and Wealth Management UK, which sponsors the list, added, “We are proud to support these dynamic businesses as they scale and evolve, and to be their partner for strategic wealth and business planning.”
To be eligible for the ranking, companies must be UK-registered, independent, and unquoted, with annual sales exceeding £250,000 in the base year and over £5 million in the latest year without showing a drop in revenue. As these enterprises continue to expand, Wales’ performance this year reflects the broader growth and ambition prevailing across Britain’s private sector.