62


HOT 100


39 2025: 55 Hillcroft, Carnforth 42 2025: 50 Cherish Holdings, Blackpool


Cherish provides a range of care services across the North West, ranging from operating children’s homes to providing homecare, specialist care, supported living and end-of-life care. Operating profits increased from £1.60m to £1.81m.


41 New entry JST Group, Chorley


JST Group is a Chorley-based insurance broking group which has undergone a period of transformation and growth. Turnover increased from £9.77m to £11.51m, while pre-tax profit also rose, from £2.08m to £2.44m.


38 2025: 82 Warrantywise, Blackburn


Warrantywise offers warranty plans for vehicles where the manufacturer’s has expired. Plans are sold directly to customers and through motor dealerships. Turnover rose 35 per cent from £20.34m to £27.47m while pre-tax profits grew from £1.51m to £2.54m.


40 2025: 24


Lehmann Food Ingredients, Lancaster


Lehmann Food Ingredients is a supplier and distributor serving the food and drink, pharmaceutical, personal care and animal nutrition industries. Established in 1988 by Guy Lehmann, the company began with a vinegar distribution agreement and has since expanded its portfolio to include more than 200 ingredients.


Hot 10 employers No Company


42 Cherish Holdings 39 Hillcroft


52 Ashbridge School 17 Watson Ramsbottom 8 The Traveller’s Choice 70 Gilberts


63 Ameon Holdings 21 Cherry Tree Bakery 15 C-TEC


51 E K Holdings 37 2025: 64 New Horizons, Preston


Employees 739 358 345 277 240 236 219 209 202 190


New Horizons operates care homes for young people, with specialist services available for those with challenging behaviour, learning difficulties, various disorders and syndromes, or those who have experienced crisis or trauma. Turnover increased by 20.8 per cent, to £10.1m from £8.4m.


36 New entry Jarion, Chorley


Jarion is a venture capital and investment business. Directors say it grew profitable sales of its core products and also launched a new business to provide the opportunity to diversify and grow its income and turnover was £16.05m. During 2024, Jarion launched another business Pearson Automotive Solutions trading as Freewheel Autos a second hand car dealership. The business saw administrative costs rise from setting up the new venture but directors say it will contribute to the future success of the organisation.


32 2025: 41 Nutrition Group, Preston


Nutrition Group manufactures tablets, capsules and protein bars for the health supplements market. It produces three billion tablets and 500 million capsules a year. Established in 1993, Pre-tax profits rose to £2.8m from £2.3m.


34 2025: 36


Lancashire Waste Recycling, Fleetwood


Lancashire Waste Recycling produces alternative fuels from waste products that cannot be recycled. The business supplies recovered fuel to cement kilns, replacing the need for fossil fuels, and processed 266,119 tonnes of waste in 2025. Turnover rose from £26.1m to £30.2m.


33 2025: 68 Hen House Wholesale, Preston


Hen House sells fresh and frozen meat, poultry and pizza products to the wholesale market. Pre-tax profits jumped to £2.78m from £1.81m the previous year.


Hillcroft operates six nursing and care homes in the Lancaster and Morecambe area. Its homes specialise in dementia, behavioural support, elderly care and end of life. The group saw turnover rise from £14.43m to £15.79m.


35 New entry J&D Rimmer and Sons, Preston


J&D Rimmer & Sons is a family-run potato grower and packer based at Moss Side Farm, near Preston. The Rimmer family has farmed the site for four generations. Turnover increased by 65.2 per cent to £19.44m, while pre-tax profits rose from £1.19m to £2.58m.


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72  |  Page 73  |  Page 74  |  Page 75  |  Page 76  |  Page 77  |  Page 78  |  Page 79  |  Page 80  |  Page 81  |  Page 82  |  Page 83  |  Page 84