Derbyshire’s Top 200 Businesses revealed as effects of pandemic are felt

The impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on Derbyshire’s businesses are revealed in a report by the University of Derby’s Business School.

Between 1 July 2020 and 30 June 2021, businesses saw a drop in turnover, compared to the previous year, with the total turnover for all 200 being £3.78 billion (14%) less than in 2019-2020. Despite this, some sectors remained resilient – especially healthcare and medicine, construction and chemicals – and businesses within those industries performed better than the previous years.

The top three largest sectors were manufacturing (30.5%); wholesale and retail trade, including motor vehicles (20.5%); and financial services and insurance (10.5%).

To qualify for the list, companies must have:

• been active during 1 July 2020 to 20 June 2021
• had their registered office in Derby or Derbyshire
• reported independent accounts to Companies House for the period 1 July 2020 to 30 June 2021

Among the businesses receiving awards at today’s event were:

Toyota Manufacturing UK – the car manufacturer tops the listing again this year with a turnover of £2.11 billion.

HealthNet Homecare (UK) – a business providing home care services and prescription drugs to the care sector. Having moved its registered office to Swadlincote in April 2021, it is this year’s Highest New Entrant to the list at number 24.

Breedon Trading Ltd and Breedon Cement Ltd – part of the wider Breedon Group, these businesses deliver essential products to the construction sector. Despite operating in a sector that is one of the most difficult to decarbonise, they are working hard to put sustainability at the centre of the business, and won the Sustainability Champion award.

Don Amott Leisure Ltd - who received the Family-Owned Favourite award. Part of the Don Amott Leisure Group, it sells and services caravans and motorhomes from its site at Hilton, near Derby.

Resonate Group - specialising in rail and connected transport, this firm is recognised as Rail Innovator. It has successfully made the jump from SME to large business in a sector that is strategically important to the region, especially now that Derby has been announced as the home of Great British Railways. It has risen 20 places in the list this year.

Speaking at the launch event of the Top 200 Businesses report, University of Derby Vice-Chancellor Professor Kathryn Mitchell CBE DL said:

“Although covering a period when businesses were impacted by the pandemic, this report confirms that our city and country remain home to some of the world’s most successful businesses. The jobs they provide for thousands of people, including our graduates, are vital to supporting our communities and the prosperity of our region. The University will continue to work closely with employers and businesses across a range of sectors to help meet the current and future needs of our region so that we can maintain this position of collective strength.”

Don Amott Leisure Ltd owner, Don Amott junior, said:

“My father, Don senior, set up the business in 1963, and this year is our 60th anniversary. We still proudly uphold his philosophy: to offer excellent quality, the lowest possible prices, and to make customers your friends. This Family-Owned Favourite award is testament to that philosophy and my father's vision.”

The University’s Top 200 Businesses in Derby and Derbyshire report was compiled by a team of researchers from the University’s Business School using publicly available information. It was launched at an event at the University’s One Friar Gate Square, home to its College of Business, Law and Social Sciences, and close to the location of its new Business School, currently under construction.

Read the report.