A Sunderland health food firm founded by a young couple and a Northumberland gothic clothing seller have been identified among the country's fastest growing private companies.
Dragons' Den success Rheal, launched by Charlotte Ali, 28, and her husband Sean, 33, tops the North East table of the Sunday Times 100 with sales of £25.5m in the last year according to the company, and a massive 142% average annual growth in the last three years. The now 45-strong firm was founded in 2017 after Ms Ali, a coeliac disease sufferer, discovered natural “superfoods” improved her low energy levels.
The brand's first products were Clean Greens, which aim to boost immunity and Berry Beauty, targeted at skin health. The business, which turned down £50,000 on Dragons' Den in 2021, topped last year's list in the North East and is now reported to be eyeing a sale.
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Meanwhile Disturbia, the 22 year-old Cramlington-based retailer of gothic inspired fashion, was founded by another husband and wife team, fashion and photography Francis and Helen Major. The brand set out to "break boundaries, challenge norms, and embrace individuality."
It has achieved annual sales growth of 86% over three years, and last year reported £35.1m turnover and £8.2m of operating profit. The business, which comes in second place in the North East, employs about 50 people and recently earned the backing of Refined Capital Partners.
Jon Yeomans, business editor of The Sunday Times, said: "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. It’s inspiring to see how these businesses are not only achieving phenomenal growth, but also creating thousands of new jobs and opportunities."
This year The Sunday Times 100 excludes companies that sell their own technology, which now feature in the sister table, , which was launched in January 2025. Out of the 100 companies featured in the ranking more than a third are based in London, with the rest spread throughout the country, including 18 in the North West, 12 in the South East, eight in the South West, seven in Wales and six in the West Midlands.
Mo Syed, head of Barclays Private Bank and Wealth Management 海角视频 and Crown Dependencies, said: "We are proud to be the lead sponsor of The Sunday Times 100 Fastest Growing Companies once again. This prestigious ranking celebrates the innovation, ambition and resilience of Britain’s entrepreneurs – qualities that we at Barclays Private Bank are privileged to support. As these dynamic businesses scale and evolve, we’re committed to being the trusted partner for their strategic wealth, investment and succession planning, supporting them at every stage of their personal and business journey.”