Top tech firms in the North hit £1.9 billion revenue

Hugh Campbell, managing partner of GP Bullhound, commented: “After years of huge potential, Northern tech companies now command the valuations and deals worthy of international recognition.

“The tech sector in the North is more robust than ever and high profile transactions will continue establishing the region’s reputation as a home for profitable tech companies, a real depth of talent and genuine software innovation.”

The sector is likely to get only larger as the successful tech cluster in the region snowballs, according to the fastest growing technology business in the region.

Wakefield-based The Car Buying Group was recognised as the fastest growing company at the Northern Tech Awards.

James Branton, chief technical officer of The Car Buying Group commented: “We operate on a national basis but it was a strategic decision to base ourselves in the North, particularly Wakefield and Yorkshire because of the wealth of talent around.”

He added that nearing the £2 billion revenue mark was an “incredible achievement” for the 100 fastest growing firms.

GP Bullhound compiled the Northern Tech 100 League with Tech North. The list recognises the fastest growing tech companies across the North and features high growth achievers such as Tyres on the Drive, Sky Betting & Gaming, and Panintelligence.

In particular, the strength of software development in the North was highlighted, with a total of 31 software companies in the 100 fastest growing companies.

Of these, 19 were recognised within the top 50 fastest growing companies, representing an increase on the 12 software businesses included in the top 50 last year, increasing the sector’s total share to 38 per cent in 2017.

From Yorkshire there were 28 tech companies named in the top 100.

Alongside The Car Buying Group, which topped the overall list, Sheffield-based Azzure IT, which sells and deploys Microsoft business software, Leeds-based Sky Bet and videogame developer Team 17 also made it into the Northern Tech 100 League.

GP Bullhound is headquartered in London but has offices in Manchester.