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The North East's largest companies have been unveiled with the publication of the annual Top 200 list.

The list of the region’s largest companies by turnover - compiled in conjunction with accountancy firm PwC, has been hugely affected by the Covid-19 response.

With companies having been given extra time last year to file their accounts, a decision was taken to delay publication of the list to ensure it is the most accurate representation possible of the region’s business community.

The top end of the list remains mostly unchanged by the pandemic, with Nissan claiming top spot for the ninth year running with a turnover of £4.9bn.

But a 20% drop in turnover for the Sunderland automotive giants meant it was ranked only just above transport firm Arriva, which recorded revenues of £4.8bn. Fellow transport firm Go-Ahead, based in Newcastle, retained its position as the region’s third largest company, with turnover of £3.9bn.

A 30% drop in turnover for Newcastle housebuilder Bellway saw it lose fourth spot to Gateshead motor dealer Vertu, while food-on-the-go chain Greggs fell two places to ninth in the list after its revenues went down more than 30% to £811m.

Other companies making up the region’s top 10 include Sage Group (6th), Northumbrian Water (7th) and Northern Powergrid (8th). Darlington’s Redde Northgate – formerly known as Northgate Group – consolidated its place in the Top 10 after a merger in 2020 created a larger company.

Washington-based United Living – which includes the former Fastflow Group – was the major riser in the table, after a 141% increase in turnover to £332m saw it climb 41 places to 17th. Gateshead building supplies firm Zentia was the highest new entry to the list, coming into the list at 93rd with turnover of £74.6m.