We’ve partnered with leading chartered accountants and business advisory firm PKF Francis Clark to showcase the top 100 owner-managed companies in the Bristol area.

Our exclusive list ranks owner-managed businesses with headquarters in the BS postcode area by turnover, according to their latest published accounts.

In total, these 100 businesses have achieved more than £7bn in annual sales and employ nearly 34,000 people.

The list features representatives of a wide range of sectors, from recruitment to retail, the creative industry and legal services to name just a few. Many of the Bristol area’s biggest businesses have grown to become household names, among them a strong contingent of thriving family-owned firms.

By far the largest business in terms of total sales is energy company Ovo Group, with a turnover of £1.4bn. Completing the top three are recruitment specialists Sanderson and catering equipment supplier Key West Holdings.

The top 12 businesses have turnovers exceeding £100m. A turnover above £18.5m was required to make the top 100 list, and £37.4m to break into the top 50.

Paul Bray, Partner and Head of the Bristol Office of PKF Francis Clark, said, “Owner-managed businesses are the backbone of the regional economy and are often overshadowed by bigger name corporates. The Bristol area is home to a wealth of successful independent businesses that are creating jobs, innovating and making a positive contribution to the communities they operate in.

“We advise many business owners across the South West and beyond, and it’s fantastic to see some of our clients featured in this top 100 list. We know the sacrifices owner-managers make to start and grow their businesses and the challenges many have faced due to COVID-19.

“So, as we look ahead to the post-pandemic era, it’s the perfect time to celebrate their contribution to the regional economy.”

Top 10

1. Ovo Group Ltd

Annual turnover: £1,448,754,944

Ovo is a leading energy company that is helping the industry shift to a more sustainable future. Their technology will enable energy grids to be powered by 100% renewable energy – and they currently supply more than five million customers across the UK. According to the data from PKF Francis Clark, their annual turnover is £1.45bn, and they currently have more than 2000 employees.

2. Sanderson Solutions Group PLC

Annual turnover: £448,676,992

With more than four decades of experience, Sanderson is one of the UK’s leading independent global recruitment companies. The firm has annual revenues of more than £448m and currently has 320 members of staff. They specialise in permanent and contract recruitment, executive search, and project-based solutions, as well as recruitment process outsourcing, managed service programmes and talent on demand.

3. Key West (Holdings) Limited

Annual turnover: £426,297,984

Headquartered in Bristol, the company specialises in the distribution and rental of catering equipment and supplies to the hospitality trade and the development of proprietary product brands for the hospitality market. Its two market-leading subsidiaries, Nisbets and Jongor, have helped the company achieve annual revenues of more than £426m and over 2200 employees.

4. Yeo Valley Production Limited

Annual turnover: £251,415,584

The family-owned dairy manufacturer, with six operational sites based across the South West, was founded in 1961 as a small dairy farm – and it has grown to become one of the region’s largest and most celebrated businesses. The company currently produces more than 20% of the yoghurt consumed in the UK. Last year, Yeo Valley reported annual revenues of £251m and has more than 1500 members of staff.

5. Dick Lovett Limited

Annual turnover: £174,832,992

The Dick Lovett Group is a family-owned company which has been serving the South West since 1966, and now represents the world’s best automotive brands including Aston Martin, BMW, Jaguar, MINI, Land Rover and Porsche. The firm has official dealerships in Bath, Bristol, Swindon, Hungerford, Tewkesbury and Cardiff, that have more than 170 staff. Last year, they reported revenues of £174m.

6. Ford Fuels (Holdings) Limited

Annual turnover: £163,659,584

The family-owned fuel and lubricant distribution business is based in south Bristol and covers the South West. Growing year-by-year since the 1970s, the firm now operates over 75 delivery vehicles from its nine depots across the region. With the fourth generation of the family recently entering the business, the company is aiming to maintain the same family-driven traditions of the past. It has almost 170 employees and revenues of more than £163m.

7. Molson Group Ltd

Annual turnover: £161,540,000

Molson Group are the UK’s largest independent plant and equipment dealer, with new and used machines from world leading brands. Based in Avonmouth, the firm offers a range of new and used equipment including excavators, loading shovels, telehandlers, dump trucks, rollers, attachments, crushers, screeners, shredders, trommels and more. From 13 locations strategically positioned throughout the UK, Molson’s team includes over 70 fully trained service engineers and millions of pounds worth of parts. They have a turnover of over £161m and currently have 239 employees.

8. Howard Garages (Weston) Limited

Annual turnover: £141,657,264

Established as a single family-owned garage in 1972, Howards has evolved into a multi-site group with car dealerships not only in its hometown of Weston-super-Mare but also in Taunton, Yeovil and Dorchester – with more than 275 members of staff. With over 40 years of automotive heritage, the firm has grown to over 20 sites and has a turnover of £141m. The current brands they work with are Peugeot, Citroen, DS, Nissan, Toyota, Kia, Hyundai, Honda, MG and Suzuki.

9. Thatchers (Myrtle Farm) Limited

Annual turnover: £129,977,552

The iconic South West cider-maker has been in business since 1904, with four generations running the firm over the past 117 years – currently, the company is run by Martin Thatcher. The Sandford-based company has over 500 acres of land where they harvest their own apples and manufacture their drinks on-site. Thatchers have exported across the world to more than 20 countries, and have opened a popular pub and tourist attraction at its HQ. Last year, the business had revenues of more than £129m.

10. Brent Cars Limited (Carbase)

Annual turnover: £121,309,152

Carbase is a family-run enterprise which has grown into the largest independent used car and van supermarket in the South West. With five branches in Westbury, Bristol, Weston-super-Mare, Lympsham and Brent Knoll, and one Vanbase store in Bristol, its award-winning enterprise guarantees its customers a high quality of service and the chance to browse through its selection of over 3,000 RAC Approved cars and vans. Carbase has more than 185 employees and had a turnover of £121m last year.

Top 11-100

11 BURGES SALMON LLP	£104,937,000
12 SOMERSET BRIDGE GROUP LIMITED	£103,255,000
13 TLT LLP	£98,147,000
14 ORGANIC MILK SUPPLIERS CO-OPERATIVE LIMITED	£90,466,000
15 HOARE LEA LLP	£90,399,000
16 IAN WILLIAMS (HOLDINGS) LIMITED	£81,239,000
17 OPUS TALENT SOLUTIONS LIMITED	£73,510,872
18 KEENWORK LIMITED	£69,362,000
19 ARTHUR DAVID (FOOD WITH SERVICE) LIMITED	£64,717,988
20 TURTLE BAY RESTAURANTS LIMITED	£63,768,084
21 HIGHBRIDGE CARAVAN CENTRE LIMITED	£60,917,896
22 CJL HOLDINGS (SW) LIMITED	£60,710,108
23 WW TRUCK AND BUS LIMITED	£60,555,252
24 UPLANDS RETAIL HOLDINGS LIMITED	£57,916,044
25 AVON GROUP MANUFACTURING (HOLDINGS) LIMITED	£57,752,340
26 R.J. HEATHMAN (CONTRACTORS) LIMITED	£57,277,556
27 SOMERSET BRIDGE INSURANCE SERVICES LIMITED	£57,080,000
28 CARCO GROUP LIMITED	£56,681,176
29 LANCER SCOTT LIMITED	£56,104,979
30 PARKSIDE HOLDINGS LIMITED	£55,119,256
31 WILLETT & SON HOLDINGS LIMITED	£53,356,488
32 INSIDE TRAVEL GROUP LIMITED	£49,444,216
33 KELLAWAY BUILDING SUPPLIES LIMITED	£49,197,988
34 WESTERN GLOBAL HOLDINGS LIMITED	£48,735,000
35 SAFE HOUSE HOLDINGS LIMITED Holding co of BM foods	£48,457,308
36 CASPIAN NETWORKS LIMITED	£47,910,416
37 ALEC JARRETT LIMITED	£46,171,012
38 SEASONS HOLIDAYS PLC	£45,272,408
39 HARVEY COMMERCIAL HOLDINGS LIMITED	£45,159,520
40 HOLT JCB HOLDINGS LIMITED	£44,364,000
41 F & B PROFILES (HOLDINGS) LIMITED	£43,375,272
42 BROTHERS DRINKS CO. LIMITED	£41,825,564
43 HSH MOTOR COMPANY LIMITED	£41,743,496
44 ROSSFELD LIMITED	£40,393,548
45 VEALE WASBROUGH VIZARDS LLP	£39,761,808
46 POWER ELECTRICS (BRISTOL) LIMITED	£39,065,364
47 HYDROCK HOLDINGS LIMITED	£38,677,352
48 HASELTINE LAKE KEMPNER LLP	£38,360,840
49 HARVEY SHOPFITTERS LIMITED	£38,115,868
50 SADDLEBACK LIMITED	£37,406,594
51 BLUE MACHINERY (SOUTHERN) LIMITED	£37,361,780
52 AVORTEX LIMITED	£37,028,672
53 B T Q LIMITED	£36,845,000
54 LD GROUP HOLDINGS LIMITED	£36,143,492
55 ST JAMES PARADE (107) LIMITED	£34,562,948
56 SDS HOLDINGS LIMITED	£34,214,768
57 GDS INT HOLDINGS LIMITED	£33,862,860
58 REDROCK CONSULTING LIMITED	£33,716,496
59 LUNAMAR (GROUP) LIMITED	£33,705,616
60 KING LIFTING LIMITED	£33,657,316
61 WW (UK) LIMITED	£33,494,696
62 MCBRAIDA HOLDINGS LIMITED	£33,465,000
63 SWEET CONSTRUCT LIMITED	£32,413,112
64 OPTIONS RESOURCING LTD	£31,821,072
65 PRECISION RESOURCE GROUP LIMITED	£31,344,768
66 SHIELD ENVIRONMENTAL HOLDINGS LIMITED	£30,974,808
67 ALVIS BROTHERS LIMITED	£30,674,840
68 SUSTAINABLE DRAINAGE SYSTEMS LIMITED	£30,654,080
69 KEN BIGGS CONTRACTORS LIMITED	£30,605,840
70 CULLEN GROUP LIMITED	£30,463,548
71 MAURICE LAY DISTRIBUTORS LIMITED	£29,846,258
72 B M FOODS LIMITED	£27,641,028
73 SMITHCORP LIMITED	£26,464,688
74 JONES BUILDING GROUP LIMITED	£25,747,328
75 CLADE ENGINEERING SYSTEMS GROUP LTD	£25,610,792
76 PLANTFORCE RENTALS LTD	£24,850,152
77 LGW GROUP LIMITED	£24,829,352
78 BRISTOL & AVON TRANSPORT & RECYCLING LTD	£24,439,302
79 INTOHEAT (HOLDINGS) LIMITED	£24,343,260
80 N. NOTARO HOMES LIMITED	£24,210,442
81 YATE DISPOSABLES LTD	£23,621,616
82 CEDAR CARE HOMES LIMITED	£23,234,834
83 IZIT GROUP LIMITED	£22,891,204
84 AARDMAN HOLDINGS LIMITED	£22,774,416
85 THE COMMONWEALTH MINT & PHILATELIC BUREAU LTD	£22,636,568
86 BODYWISE (UK) LIMITED	£22,461,592
87 CHARLES SAUNDERS HOLDINGS LIMITED	£22,236,888
88 MAIL HANDLING INTERNATIONAL LIMITED	£21,519,900
89 KELSTON SPARKES HOLDINGS LIMITED	£21,493,010
90 STOWELL CONCRETE LIMITED	£21,361,516
91 REDCLIFFE HOMES LIMITED	£20,971,404
92 STAGE ELECTRICS GROUP LIMITED	£20,872,212
93 E T M CONSTRUCTION & RECYCLING HOLDINGS LIMITED	£20,762,896
94 STRIDE TREGLOWN GROUP PLC	£20,752,957
95 BARRETTINE HOLDINGS LIMITED	£20,342,668
96 COTTLESTON HOLDINGS LIMITED	£20,318,850
97 PROPER JOB SUPERSTORES LIMITED	£19,180,852
98 FAYRE OAKS LIMITED	£18,994,548
99 PICKSONS PLC	£18,836,640
100 THE BOSTON TEA PARTY GROUP LIMITED	£18,589,476