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SOUTHERN TECH 100


®


Technology sector continues to make the difference


Technology never stands still. Of all the business sectors, this is the one that constantly evolves – and where it is increasingly difficult to predict future winners and losers


But as our Southern Tech 100 list shows, the sector whose top 100 private companies employ nearly 18,000 people, between them generating £5.8 billion in sales, is a major influencer in the UK economy.


The tech sector is of course not a regional entity. It has its focus on national and global markets and, more than ever, it looks beyond the traditional overseas markets for growth.


But it is regional in the sense that the Thames Valley has always been considered the UK’s Silicon Valley, and there has been a clustering effect along the M4 Corridor, with companies drawn to locate close to Heathrow and where there is a skilled workforce.


Hampshire and the Solent region is less well off. Marine technology continues to be a niche area on the South Coast, while aerospace and defence is a high-growth area, and health technologies also have world-leading exponents, but economists argue that upskilling is required to take advantage of the labour pool that has grown since the loss of traditional industries.


In the Thames Valley, inward investment continues, but as our Tech 100 shows, there are many home- grown IT companies that fly the flag as “Made in Britain“ businesses, started by entrepreneurs and run as private entities.


Sponsored by Barclays, the leading law firm Pitmans, business advisers James Cowper and recruitment specialists GCS, the Southern Tech 100 is The Business Magazine’s annual listing of the top 100 private, independent technology companies in an area stretching from Banbury to the Isle of Wight.


At the top of the list once again is £1b turnover IT product supplier Westcoast. Fast risers this year include Softcat, Enrichment Technology, and Pulsant.


Survey


James Cowper regularly surveys the technology sector. A recent in-depth study found that more than half the technology businesses that export saw an increase in international sales over the past 12 months.


More generally, the survey found that over three- quarters of technology companies were reporting an improvement in business performance over the year.


More than 80% of businesses thought there was no problem in accessing the right skills to run and grow their company, but only a third saw any improvement in the availability of funding to help support that growth.


THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE – THAMES VALLEY – FEBRUARY 2014 www.businessmag.co.uk Trends


A recent technology analyst’s survey said that cloud computing was experiencing a 26% compound annual growth rate. The expansion of companies like Pulsant and C4L on our list proves the point.


Other 2014 trends for the technology sector are: Phablets and Tablets, smart watches and wearable technology, mobile-first strategies, flexible screens, 4K ultra-HD televisions.


Rules of engagement


The 100 listing is ranked by turnover. The key criteria for inclusion are: • The company is independent and private • It is headquartered with its main trading address in the region


• Listed companies (either LSE or foreign markets) are excluded


• Companies that list their registered office in the region, but don’t trade from that address, are excluded


• Companies that are foreign-owned are excluded • Companies House records are used, provided by FAME


• Multinationals are excluded


Event Next month, The Business Magazine and the Southern Tech 100 sponsors: Pitmans, James Cowper, GCS and Barclays, host an invitation-only dinner in Reading for technology companies. For further details, email our events manager:


Linda Morse • linda@elcot.co.uk


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