Kent’s 50 fastest-growing businesses have been revealed at the MegaGrowth 50 awards.

The MegaGrowth 50 provides a performance table based on the average turnover growth of privately-owned businesses in Kent which have a minimum turnover of £1 million, as stipulated in their full accounts registered at Companies House across the last four years.

High-performing companies that did not file full accounts, but met the criteria, also applied to be considered for inclusion.

Those making it into the top 50 this year were announced at a special presentation breakfast held at the Tudor Park Country Club, near Maidstone.

Top of the table was Rochester-based Primech Building Services which had grown by a staggering 739% over the relevant period. Primech delivers end-to-end mechanical and engineering solutions to the building management and construction sectors.

Primech’s Declan Ausher said: “The organic growth we have achieved since Primech launched has come from bringing the best people together. Building a team with the right ethos and commitment to doing the best job possible for our clients. We have attracted clients quickly, quite simply, because we do a good job not just an OK one. We constantly ask for feedback from our clients and we make improvements off the back of this all the time.

“We have just opened a satellite branch in Luton and hope to open another one very soon. We are delighted to be recognised by the MegaGrowth 50 and can’t wait to share the news with our team.”

Second place went to construction and refurbishment business Drakemoor Ltd, based in Sutton Valence, which had grown by 320%. Its managing director, Spenser Mills, said: “It’s nice to be recognised. We’re only five years old and I invest every penny of profit back into the business to ensure we’re stable and financially secure.”

Third, with 242% growth was building services company Kingsheath Construction based in Bredhurst. Managing director Jamie Pike explained: “The projects we're now getting the opportunity to work on are definitely increasing in size - that's all to do with the good reputation we're building. We’re a young company with a good team.”

MegaGrowth 50 - now in its 20th year - is produced by law firm Brachers and accountants and business advisers Kreston Reeves under licence from the KM Media Group. For the first time this year Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce partnered the scheme.

Nigel Fright, managing partner at Kreston Reeves, said: “Businesses across the UK are continuing to face extraordinary challenges – the aftershocks of Brexit and the pandemic continue to be felt, alongside the inflationary pressures have made it much harder for businesses to deliver.

“Against this backdrop, it’s inspiring to meet the businesses who have made it into the MegaGrowth 50. These are businesses that have prevailed against the odds and, together, have contributed to impressive growth within the region.”

James Bullock, head of corporate and commercial at Brachers, added: “Once again, MegaGrowth 50 has provided a fantastic opportunity to shine a light on some incredible businesses from every corner of the county. From speaking to the leaders of these remarkable companies, it’s clear that there’s no single blueprint for success, but what each firm possesses is the ability to combine a great business model, with innovation, commercial foresight, and high adaptability. For that, I truly commend them all.”

Tudor Price, chief executive at the Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce, concluded: “It has been a delight to meet some of the successful businesses at the breakfast presentation, which pleasingly included several of our members. The MegaGrowth 50 businesses are a great success story for our county, demonstrating that Kent remains a prime hotspot for doing business in the UK.”