Essex’s Top Firms Show What Growth Really Looks Like

Resilience, Reinvention and Results: Essex’s Top Firms Show What Growth Really Looks Like

In this final episode of Stories of Essex Limited, host Jill Willis sits down with Doug Bentley of Grant Thornton and Adam Jones from Birketts LLP to bring the Essex Limited 2025 report into sharp focus.

Together, we explore what lies beneath the figures, spotlight standout companies from the Top 100 and Fast Growth 25 lists and reflect on what these stories say about Essex’s economic resilience, adaptability, and growth potential.

🎧 Watch the full conversation here.

£16 Billion Turnover, But It’s the Spread of Sectors That Matters

Essex Limited 2025 reveals strong year-on-year performance from the county’s top businesses. Total turnover rose by 12.3% to reach £16 billion, with Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortisation (EBITDA) also climbing by 16%. But beyond the headline growth, it’s the diversity of sectors that stands out.

“Essex Limited is not reliant on one sector for more than one quarter of its 100,” said Adam, pointing to the broad base that makes the county’s economy uniquely resilient.

The numbers also reflect a changing business landscape. 23 new businesses entered the Top 100 this year, which is much more than usual, indicating a vibrant, competitive local economy that rewards agility, not just size.

Stories of Essex – Podcast

Bold Moves, Big Leaps

Some of the most eye-catching results came from companies making big leaps in their rankings.

Clear Springs rose from #3 to #1, fuelled by significant central government contracts that drove a major turnover increase.
Gates Group, operating in the automotive sector, climbed from #21 to #15, a sign that the sector has proved more resilient than expected amid broader economic headwinds.
Runwood Homes, a key player in the private care sector, moved from #29 to #23, reinforcing the continued demand for healthcare services and its contribution to Essex’s economy.
London City Bond, a bonded warehousing business, saw a sharp rise from #81 to #67, suggesting a bounce-back in logistics and storage sectors and increasing demand for well-positioned warehousing firms.

Over in the Fast Growth 25, Zap Air Holdings, owner of Titan Airways, stood out. While the company slipped from #23 to #29 in the Top 100, it flew into #4 on the Fast Growth list. This reflects a sharp rise in EBITDA, signalling a focus on profitability and operational stability post-Brexit.

Borrowing Boldly, But with Purpose

One of the most discussed trends this year was an increase in gearing, up from 71% to 75%. But Doug and Adam were clear: this isn’t reckless borrowing. Essex firms are showing confidence by investing in fixed assets and workforce growth, with the increase in debt aligned to a long-term growth strategy.

Private equity is also now part of the picture. For the first time in the report’s 14-year history, PE-backed businesses have been included, reflecting the rise in external investment and the appetite of regional funds, such as Foresight Group, to back growth-minded Essex firms.

People and Culture: Essex’s Real USP

Attracting and retaining talent is one of the biggest challenges raised by business leaders this year. The draw of London, combined with more flexible remote working models, means competition for skilled workers is fierce.

So how are Essex firms responding? According to both Doug and Adam, the smartest businesses are putting culture front and centre. From recruiting based on values, to building structured apprenticeship programmes (like those at Titan Airways), organisations are investing early and often in the people they want to keep.

“It’s the way you deal with your staff, nurturing careers, not just providing jobs.”, Adam noted.

Lessons in Growth, Grit and Strategy from Essex’s Best

Spread your risk: A diverse sector base helps firms stay resilient through economic shifts.
Prioritise profit, not just turnover: Focus on EBITDA to measure true operational strength.
Build a people-first culture: Hire for values, invest in development, and retention will follow.
Borrow with purpose: Debt isn’t the issue, misaligned investment is.
Be investor-ready: Private equity interest is growing. Make sure your structure and story are too.