# List of companies of the United Kingdom A–J

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK or U.K.) or Britain, is a sovereign country located off the northwestern coast of the European mainland. It includes the island of Great Britain, the northeastern part of the island of Ireland, and many smaller islands. The United Kingdom consists of four constituent countries: England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
The United Kingdom is a highly developed country with a market-orientated economy and is a member of the Group of 7 (formerly G8) leading industrialised countries. It is the sixth-largest national economy in the world measured by nominal gross domestic product (GDP), ninth-largest by purchasing power parity (PPP) and twenty first-largest by GDP per capita. In 2017, the UK was the eleventh-largest goods exporter in the world and the eighth-largest goods importer. It also had the second-largest inward foreign direct investment, and the third-largest outward foreign direct investment. The UK left the European Union in 2019, but it remains the UK's largest trading partner. In 2019, the UK had a labour force of 34,280,575 people and, as of 2018, an employment rate of 78.7%.
The service sector contributes around 80% of GDP with the financial services industry being significant, with London as the second-largest financial centre in the world. Britain's aerospace industry is the second-largest national aerospace industry. Its pharmaceutical industry is the tenth-largest in the world. Of the world's 500 largest companies, 26 are headquartered in the UK. The economy is boosted by North Sea oil and gas production; its reserves were estimated at 2.8 billion barrels in 2016, although it has been a net importer of oil since 2005. The size of London's economy makes it the largest city by GDP in Europe.
In the 18th century the UK was the first country to industrialise, and during the 19th century it had a dominant role in the global economy, accounting for 9.1% of the world's GDP in 1870. The Second Industrial Revolution was also taking place rapidly in the United States and the German Empire; this presented an increasing economic challenge for the UK. The costs of fighting World War I and World War II further weakened the UK's relative position. In the 21st century, the UK has faced the challenges of the 2008 banking collapse and the 2020 coronavirus pandemic.

## Largest companies

This list shows the UK companies in the Fortune Global 500, which ranks firms by total revenues reported as of September 2019. Only the top five firms are included as a sample.
| Rank | Name | 2018 revenues (USD $M) | Employees | Notes |
| 3 | Shell | $396,500 | 81,000 | British multinational oil, gas, and renewable energy company including exploration, production, refining, transport, distribution and marketing, petrochemicals, power generation, trading, biofuels, wind power, energy-kite, and hydrogen power. It was established in 1907, and is headquartered in London, and incorporated in the UK. Formerly known as Royal Dutch Petroleum Co, and The Shell Transport and Trading Company of the United Kingdom, it has 12 subsidiaries. |
| 7 | BP | $303,738 | 73,000 | British multinational oil, gas, and renewable energy company including exploration and production, refining, distribution and marketing, petrochemicals, power generation and trading, biofuels, wind power and solar technology. It was established in 1909, and is headquartered in London. Formerly known as Anglo-Persian Oil Company, Anglo-Iranian Oil Company, and BP Amaco plc, its subsidiaries include Amaco, and Castrol. |
| 99 | HSBC Holdings | $86,131 | 235,200 | British multinational investment bank and financial services holding company. It was first established in 1865 in British Hong Kong, but is now headquartered in London. Former names include The Hong Kong and Shanghei Bank, and The Hong Kong and Shanghei Banking Corporation. As of 2019 it has 12 subsidiaries. |
| 103 | Tesco | $84,270 | 450,000 | British multinational grocery and general merchandise retailer, petrol retailer, software provider, financial services provider, and telecoms and internet services provider. It was first established in 1919 in Hackney, London, first named Tesco in 1924, and is now headquartered in Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire. |
| 167 | Unilever | $60,167 | 154,800 | British multinational consumer goods company with more than 400 brands including food and beverages, cleaning agents, beauty products, and personal care products. Established in 1929 by the merger of Margarine Unie and Lever Brothers, it is headquartered in London. |

## Notable companies

This is a list of companies of the United Kingdom as well as those first established in the United Kingdom that are no longer British owned, and also including defunct UK companies. Only companies with articles in Wikipedia are included.
* 0–9
* A
* B
* C
* D
* E
* F
* G
* H
* I
* J
* References

## 0—9

* 104 Films — is a film production company headquartered in Birmingham. It was founded in 2004 by director Justin Edgar and producer Alex Usborne.
* 24seven — was an energy company supplying electricity, which operated from 2000 to 2003. Its parent companies were London Electricity, and TXU Europe. In 2003 it became part of LE Group.
* 3i Group plc — is a British multinational private equity and venture capital company based in London. It invests in mid-market buyouts, growth capital, and infrastructure. It was founded in 1945 by the Bank of England and the main British banks as the Industrial and Commercial Finance Corporation (ICFC). Its purpose was to provide long-term investment funding for small and medium-sized companies. Later it was renamed as Finance for Industry (FFI) and then Investors in Industry (3i). 3i Group was formed as a public company in 1987 when the banks sold their stocks. In 2022 it had a net income of £4 billion.
* 3 Mills Studios — is a centre for film and TV production. It is located in London. It has its roots in the 1980s founding of Bow Studios, Three Mills Island Studios, and Edwin Shirley Productions. In the mid-1990s, the three studios were merged to become 3 Mills Studios, under the management of Workspace Group. In 2004 the studios were acquired by the London Development Agency (LDA) until 2010 when ownership transferred to the London Legacy Development Corporation.
* 99p Stores — was a company that operated a discount store chain. It was a family-run business founded in 2001 by Nadir Lalani. Its subsidiary store chain was Family Bargains. In 2015 it was acquired by Poundland who rebranded the stores to Poundland.

## A

* A.G. Barr – is a soft drinks manufacturer best known for the drink Irn-Bru. Established in 1875 by Robert Barr in Falkirk, Scotland, it is now headquartered in Cumbernauld, Scotland. Its production sites are in Cumbernauld, Forfar, and Milton Keynes. In 2022 it acquired Boost Drinks. In 2022 its revenue was £268 million, with a net income of £27 million.
* AAH Pharmaceuticals — is a pharmaceuticals wholesaler. It was formerly an anthracite producer and supplier, and supplier of building materials, transport, warehousing, and environmental services. Established in 1892, its headquarters is in Coventry. It was formerly named Amalgamated Anthracite Collieries. It is owned by Hallo Healthcare Group.
* Aardman Animations – is a film studio producing animation films and television programmes. Established in 1972, its headquarters is in Bristol.
* Abbey National — was a financial services company (banking, and investment) that operated from 1944 to 2010. It was initially a building society and later also an estate agent. Its headquarters was in London. Also known as Abbey, it was formed by the merger of the Abbey Road Building Society with the National Building Society. In 2010 it was subsumed into Santander UK.
* AbbottVision — is a film and TV production company. Established in 2008, its headquarters is in Manchester.
* ABC Cinemas — was a cinema chain from 1927 to 2017.
* Abcam — is a biotechnology and life sciences company that produces protein research tools. It was established in 1998.
* Abcodia — is a biotechnology company focused on biomarkers for cancer screening. Established in 2010, its headquarters is in Cambridge, Cambridgeshire.
* Aberdeen Asset Management — was an investment management company from 1983 to 2017. Its headquarters was in Aberdeen, Scotland. In 2017 it was merged with Standard Life to form Standard Life Aberdeen, since renamed as Abrdn.
* Aberforth Smaller Companies Trust plc — is an investment trust focused on investments in smaller companies. Established in 1990, it is headquartered in Edinburgh, Scotland.
* Abrdn — is a global investmemt and financial services company. Established in 1825, its headquarters is in Edinburgh, Scotland. It was formerly known as the Standard Life Assurance Company. In 2017 it was merged with Aberdeen Asset Management to form Standard Life Aberdeen plc. In 2021 it was renamed Abrdn. In 2022 its revenue was £1.5 billion, with a net income of £549 million.
* Abrdn Private Equity Opportunities Trust plc — is an investment trust focused on private equity funds and companies with a European range. It was founded in 2001 as Standard Life Private Equity Trust. It is managed by Abrdn.
* Academy Films — is a film and TV production company. Established in 1985, its headquarters is in London.
* Acteon Group — is a subsea services company mainly supplying the oil, gas, and renewable industries. Established in 2004, its headquarters is in Norwich, Norfolk. It was formed from the UWG Group.
* Adam & Company — is a financial services company (private banking and investment management). Established in 1983, its headquarters is in Edinburgh, Scotland. In 2018, the retail banking assets of Royal Bank of Scotland were transferred to Adam and Company, which was renamed Royal Bank of Scotland, with Adam and Company continuing as a trading name of the Royal Bank of Scotland.
* Adelphi Films — is a film production and distribution company. It was established in 1939.
* Admiral Group plc — is a financial services company headquartered in Cardiff, Wales. It provides insurance products, and operates price comparison websites. It was founded in 1991 as a division of the Brockbank Group. In 1999 Henry Engelhardt led a management buyout of Admiral Group from the Brockbank Group. In 2022, its revenue was £1.4 billion, with a net income of £371 million.
* Affinity Water — is a utility company (water supply). Established in 2012, its headquarters is in Hatfield, Hertfordshire. It was formed by the purchase and merger of Veolia Water Central, Veolia Water Southeast, and Veolia Water East.
* AfriMobile — was a telecommunications company providing a mobile virtual network. It operated from 2012 to 2020.
* AGA Rangemaster Group Ltd — is a manufacturer of range cookers including the AGA cooker, kitchen appliances, and interior furnishings. Its brands include: AGA, La Cornue, Rangemaster, Divertimenti, Fired Earth, and Marvel. Its North American subsidiary is AGA Marvel. It is headquartered in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire. The roots of the business date back to the 1920s when the AGA cooker was invented and initially produced in Sweden. Then, in the 1930s, they were produced under license in the UK and since 1957 most production has continued in the UK. In 1969 the manufacturers of AGA cookers, Allied Ironfounders, was acquired by Glynwed. In 1997 Glynwed was acquired by Mueller Industries Inc, and the AGA division was renamed AGA Foodservice Group, and then Aga Rangemaster in 2008. In 2015 it was acquired by Middleby Corporation.
* AIB Group (UK) plc — is a banking company that operates the UK banking division of Allied Irish Banks of which it is a subsidiary. Registered in Northern Ireland; it trades as Allied Irish Bank (GB) for business banking in the UK; and as AIB (NI) for personal, and business banking in Northern Ireland.
* Air Navigation and Engineering Company — was an aircraft, and cyclecar manufacturer from 1919 to 1927. Its headquarters was in Addlestone, Surrey. It was formerly the Bleriot & SPAD Manufacturing Company.
* Airtel Africa plc — is a multinational company that provides telecommunications and mobile money services in 14 African countries. Headquartered in London, it is majority owned by Bharti Airtel. In 2022 its revenue was £4.7 billion, with a net income of £750 million.
* AJ Bell plc — is a financial services company that provides online investment platforms and stockbroker services. It is headquartered in Manchester. It was founded in 1995 by Andy Bell and Nicholas Littlefair. It was floated on the London Stock Exchange in 2018. In 2022 its revenue was £163 million, with a net income of £46 million.
* Aldemore Bank plc — is a bank offering personal and business financial services with a focus on small and medium sized businesses. Headquartered in Reading, Berkshire; it was founded in 2009. From 2015 it was listed on the London Stock Exchange until it was acquired by South African banking company FirstRand in 2017.
* Alex Wilson & Company — was an engine manufacturing company, see Vauxhall Motors.
* Allen & Hanburys — was a pharmaceuticals manufacturer from 1715 to 1958. Headquartered in London, it was absorbed by Glaxo Laboratories in 1958.
* Alliance & Leicester — was a financial services company providing banking and insurance, that was formerly a building society. It operated from 1985 to 2011. Its headquarters was in Narborough, Leicestershire. It was formed by the merger of the Alliance Building Society with the Leicester Building Society. In 2011 it was subsumed into Santander UK.
* Alliance Trust plc — is an investment and financial services company headquartered in Dundee, Scotland. It was founded in 1888 by the merger of 3 Dundee-based mortgage and loan companies: the Dundee Investment Company, the Dundee Mortgage and Trust Investment Company, and the Oregon and Washington Trust. In 1986 it began offering pensions. In 2006 it was merged with the Second Alliance Trust. In 2022 its revenue was £95 million, with a net income of £78 million.
* Allianz Technology Trust plc — is an investment trust focused on technology companies. Founded in 1995; it is managed by Allianz Global Investors which is owned by Allianz.
* Allied Film Makers — was a film production company. Established in 1959, it is defunct.
* Allied Stars — was a film production company. It was established in the late 1970s.
* Al Rayan Bank plc — is a bank offering Sharia compliant financial services. Headquartered in London; it was founded in 2004 as the Islamic Bank of Britain plc. Since 2014 it is owned by Islamic bank Masraf Al Rayan, and renamed Al Rayan Bank plc.
* Amersham plc — was a manufacturer of radiopharmaceutical products for nuclear medicine from 1946 to 2003. Its headquarters was in Amersham, Buckinghamshire. It was previously known as The Radiochemical Centre (RTC) Amersham, Amersham International, and Nycomed Amersham. In 2003 it was acquired by General Electric and incorporated into GE Healthcare.
* Amicus Productions — was a film production company from 1962 to 1977. It was based at Shepperton Studios.
* Andrew Knowles and Sons — was a coal mining company from circa 1805 to 1929. It became part of Manchester Collieries.
* Anglesey Mining — is a mining company.
* Anglian Water — is a utility company providing water supply and sewage disposal. Established in 1979, its headquarters is in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire. It was preceded by Anglian Water Authority. Its parent company is Anglian Water Group.
* Anglian Water Authority — was a state owned utility company providing water supply and sewage disposal from 1974 to 1979. It was succeeded by Anglian Water.
* Anglian Water Group — is a holding company that is parent to Anglian Water. Headquartered in Huntingdon, it is owned by Osprey Consortium.
* Anglo-Amalgamated — was a film production and distribution company from 1945 to 1971.
* Anglo—EMI Film Distributors Ltd — was a film production and distribution company, see EMI Films.
* Anglo American — is a British multinational mining company. Established in 1917, its headquarters are in London, UK and Johannesburg, South Africa. In 2022 its revenue was $35 billion, with a net income of $6 billion.
* Annandale Distillery Company — is the owner of Annandale distillery in Annan, Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland which produces Scotch whisky. It was founded in 2007 by David Thomson and Theresa Church.
* Aon PLC — is a financial services company. Established in 1982, its headquarters are in London. Founded in Chicago by Patrick Ryan, Aon was created when the Ryan Insurance Group merged with the Combined Insurance Company of America.
* AP Films — (APF) was a television and film production, and publishing company from 1957 to 1977. Its headquarters was in Maidenhead, Berkshire. It later became Century 21 Productions.
* Apollo Cinemas — was a cinema chain from 2002 to 2013.
* Arash Motor Company — is an automobile manufacturer. Established in 1999, its headquarters is in Newmarket, Suffolk. It was formerly named Farboud Limited.
* Arbikie distillery — is a producer of Scotch whisky, vodka, and gin located in Inverkeilor, Scotland. It was established in 2013 by the Stirling family.
* Arbuthnot Latham & Co. Ltd — is a private and merchant bank offering private banking, commercial banking, and wealth management. Headquartered in London; it was founded in 1833 by Alfred Latham and John A. Arbuthnot. In 2022 its revenue was £120 million, with a net income of £16.5 million.
* Archers Film Productions — was a film production company from 1943 to 1957.
* Argos — is a catalogue retailer with a chain of shops and an online store. Established in 1972, its headquarters is in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire. Its parent company is Sainsbury's. Its 2016 revenue was £4.1 billion and its 2016 operating income was £83.1 million.
* Aria Films — is a film production, finance, and consultancy company. Established in 2002, its headquarters is in London.
* Aricom — was a mining and metals company from 2003 to 2009/10. Its headquarters was in London. It was formerly part of Peter Hambro Mining who, as Petropavlovsk reacquired it in 2009.
* Ariel Motor Company — is an automobile and motor bike manufacturer. Established in 1991 its headquarters is in Crewkerne, Somerset. It was formerly named Solocrest Ltd.
* Armitage Shanks — is a manufacturer of bathroom fixtures and plumbing supplies headquartered in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire. It was founded in 1817 by Thomas Bond in Armitage, Staffordshire. In 1907 it was incorporated as Armitage Ware Ltd, and, in 1969, it was merged with Shanks Holdings Ltd to form Armitage Shanks. Since 1999 it is part of the Ideal Standard group.
* Armstrong Siddeley — was a manufacturer of automobiles, aircraft engines and light engineering from 1919 to 1960. Headquartered in Coventry, it was established by the merger of Armstrong Whitworth with Siddeley-Deasy. There were later mergers/takeovers with Hawker Aircraft, and Bristol Aero Engines. In 1960 it became Bristol Siddeley.
* Armstrong-CCM Motorcycles — was a motorcycle manufacturer from 1980 to 1987. Headquartered in Bolton, it was formerly known as Clews Competition Motorcycles.
* Arnold Clark Automobiles Ltd — is a retail company that operates a car dealership network in the UK. It is headquartered in Glasgow, Scotland. It was founded in 1954 by Arnold Clark. The Phoenix Car Company is one of its divisions and it has two subsidiaries: Arnold Clark Finance, and Harry Fairbairn.
* Arrival — is an electric vehicle manufacturer, specialising in commercial vehicles. Established in 2015, its headquarters is in Yarnton, Oxfordshire. It was formerly named Charge Automotive.
* Arrol-Johnston — was an automobile manufacturer from 1895 to 1931. Its headquarters was in Glasgow, Scotland. It was formerly the Mo-Car Syndicate. In 1927 it merged with Aster to become Arrol-Aster.
* Arrol-Aster — was an automobile manufacturer from 1927 to 1931. Headquartered in Dumfries, Scotland, it was formed by the merger of Arrol-Johnston and Aster.
* Ascari Cars — was an automobile manufacturer from 1995 to 2010. Its headquarters was in Banbury, Oxfordshire.
* Ascential plc — is a business-to-business media company providing exhibitions and festivals, and information services in product design, marketing, sales, and built environment and policy. It is headquartered in London. It was founded in 1947 by Richard Pattinson Winfrey as a newspaper publisher named the East Midlands Allied Press (EMAP). It took over the newspapers created or bought by Richard Winfrey. It later diversified into magazine publishing, and radio broadcasting. In 1996 it sold its newspaper titles to Johnston Press. In 2008 it sold its radio, television, and consumer media division EMAP Radio to Bauer Media Group. In 2012 it was renamed Top Right Group and in 2015 renamed Ascential. In 2017 it sold its business magazine brands to Metropolis International including the EMAP name as EMAP Publishing. In 2022 its revenue was £524 million, with a net income loss of £105 million.
* Asda Stores - is a supermarket chain also offering some financial services, and a mobile phone virtual network through its subsidiary Asda Mobile. Established in 1949, its headquarters is in Leeds. In 1999 it was acquired by Walmart, then in 2021 it was acquired by EG Group and TDR Capital. Its 2019 revenue was £22.8 billion, with an operating profit of £584.2 million.
* Aspall Cyder Ltd — is a producer of cider, apple juice, apple cider vinegar, and apple-based balsamic vinegar. It also imports and markets some other vinegars. It is located in Aspall, Suffolk, and was established in the early 18th century. In 2018 it was purchased by Molson Coors.
* Ashtead Group plc — is an industrial equipment rental company headquartered in London. It was founded in 1947 in Ashtead, Surrey as Ashtead Plant and Tool Hire. Its main subsidiary is Sunbelt Rentals which operates in the United States. In 2022 its revenue was £7.9 billion with a net income of £1.2 billion.
* Ashtons — was a housebuilding company in Yorkshire. It was founded in 1933 by Norman Ashton in Leeds, and incorporated in 1938 as Norman C. Ashton Ltd. It was acquired by Orme in 1972.
* ASOS plc — is an online clothing and cosmetics retailer mainly aimed at young adults. It produces clothing and accessories for its own brand. It also has a marketplace platform for independent boutiques, vintage collectors, individuals, and designers to trade online. It is headquartered in Camden Town, London. I was founded in 2000 by Nick Robertson, Andrew Regan, Quentin Griffiths, and Deborah Thorpe. It was first named AsSeenOnScreen because it sold imitations of clothing from film and television. In 2001 it joined London's Alternative Investment Market. In 2004 it was renamed ASOS. In 2021 it acquired the brands Topshop, Topman, Miss Selfridge, and HIIT from Arcadia Group with the first three becoming subsidiaries. In 2022 its total revenue was £3.9 billion, with a net income loss of £30 million.
* Associated British Foods plc (ABF) — is a British multinational food processing and retailing company. Headquartered in London, it was established in 1935. In 2022 its revenue was £16.9 billion, with a net income of £1 billion.
* Associated British Picture Corporation (ABPC) — was a film production, distribution, and exhibition company from 1927 to 1970. It was originally British International Pictures (BIC).
* Associated Motor Cycles — was the parent company of motorcycle companies including: Matchless, A. J. Stevens & Co. Francis-Barnett, James Cycle Co, Norton, and Sunbeam, from 1938 to 1966.
* Aster — was an automobile, and aircraft engines manufacturer from 1913 to 1931. It was headquartered in Wembley, London, then Dumfries, Scotland. It was formerly Begbie Engineering. In 1927 it merged with Arrol-Johnston.
* Astley and Bedford Collieries — was a coal mining company from the 1840s to the 1850s. Its headquarters was in Bedford, Leigh.
* Astley and Tyldesley Collieries — was a coal mining company from 1900 to 1929. It became part of Manchester Collieries.
* Aston Manor Cider Ltd — is a producer of cider and perry and a bottling company. It is headquartered in Witton, Birmingham. It was founded in 1981 as a beer brewery. In 2009 it acquired the Devon Cider Company. In 2018 it was acquired by Agrial. Its brands include Frosty Jacks, Kingstone Press Cider, Friels, Knights Malvern Gold, Crompton Oaks, and 3 Hammers.
* Aston Martin — is a manufacturer of automobiles, luxury goods, and previously aircraft components during WWII. It also has a motorsport subsidiary named Aston Martin Racing. Established in 1913, its headquarters is in Gaydon, Warwickshire. Its 2022 revenue was £1.3 billion, with a net income loss of £527 million.
* Astra Films — was a film production and distribution company. Its headquarters was in Leeds, Yorkshire.
* AstraZeneca — is a UK-Swedish multinational pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical company. Established in 1999, its headquarters is in Cambridge. It was formed by the merger of Astra AB and Zeneca. Its 2022 revenue was $44.3 billion, with a net income of $3.2 billion.
* Atom Bank plc — is an online bank offering savings, mortgages, and loans. Headquartered in Durham, County Durham; it was founded in 2013 by Anthony Thomson and Mark Mullen.
* Auction Technology Group plc — is a company that operates the digital marketplaces the-saleroom.com which presents auctions, and ibidder.com that presents industrial equipment auctions. It also publishes Antiques Trade Gazette in print and online. It is headquartered in London. It was founded in 1971 by Ivor Turnball who created the Antiques Trade Gazette. In 2016 it changed its name from ATG Media to Auction Technology Group. In 2022 its revenue was £119 million, with a net income loss of £6 million.
* Aunt Bessies — is a producer of frozen food products including Yorkshire puddings, potato products, meal accompaniments, ready meals, vegetables, and desserts. It is based in Hull and Leeds. It was founded in 1995 by the William Jackson Food Group as Tryton Foods before being renamed Aunt Bessies. In 2018 it was acquired by Nomad Foods.
* Ausfod Motor Engineering Co Ltd — was an automobile manufacturer from 1947 to 1948. Its headquarters was in Chorlton-on-Medlock, Manchester.
* Aura Films — is a film production company. Established in 2011, its headquarters is in Colchester, Essex.
* Austin-Healey — was an automobile manufacturer from 1952 to 1972. It was established as a joint venture between British Motor Corporation and Donald Healey Motor Company.
* Austin Motor Company — was a manufacturer of automobiles, and wartime manufacturer of aircraft, shells, heavy guns and military vehicles from 1905 to 1952. Its headquarters was in Longbridge, Birmingham. In 1952 it merged with Morris Motors to become the British Motor Corporation.
* Austin Rover Group — was an automobile manufacturer from 1982 to 1989. Headquartered in Longbridge, Birmingham, it was a subsidiary of British Leyland. In 1989 it became Rover Group.
* Auto-Sleepers — is a camper van motor homes manufacturer. Established in 1961, its headquarters is in Willersey, Gloucestershire.
* Auto Trader Group plc — is an automotive online marketplace and classified advertising company headquartered in Manchester. It was founded in 1975 by John Madejski, Paul Gibbons, and Peter Taylor as the publisher of the magazine Thames Valley Trader. In 1988 it was rebranded as Auto Trader. The online marketplace was launched in 1996. In 2022 its revenue was £432 million, with a net income of £244 million.
* AVI Global Trust plc — is an investment trust headquartered in London. It was founded in 1889 as the Transvaal Mortgage Loan and Finance Company. It was renamed the British Empire Land, Mortgage and Loan Company in 1906, the British Empire Securities and General Trust in 1964, the British Empire Trust in 2015, and then AVI Global Trust in 2019. In 2023 it had £1.2 billion of assets under management.
* Aviva — is a British multinational insurance company. It was established in 2000 when Norwich Union merged with insurer CGU plc, its headquarters is in London.
* Axon Automotive — was an automobile and components manufacturer that operated from 2005 to 2020. Its headquarters was in Northampton, Northamptonshire.

## B

* B&M European Value Retail (trading as B&M) — is a variety store chain including B&M Bargains, and B&M Homestore. Established in 1978 as Billington & Mayman, its headquarters are in Speke, Liverpool (operations) and Luxembourg (registration). Heron Foods is its subsidiary company. In 2022 its revenue was £4.6 billion, with a net income of £422 million.
* B&Q Ltd — is a company that operates a retail store chain and retail website offering DIY and home improvement products, fitted kitchens and bathrooms, gardening supplies, and plants. It is headquartered in Eastleigh, Hampshire. It is named after its founders Richard Block and David Quayle who started the business in 1969. In 1980 it was acquired by the F. W. Woolworth Company. In 1982 the English subsidiary Woolworths Ltd including B&Q was acquired by Paternoster which became Kingfisher plc and remains the owner of B&Q. In 2022 its revenue was £3.8 billion, with a net income of £603 million.
* Babcock International Group plc — is a defence and engineering company headquartered in London. Its contracts include ship building and maintenance for the Royal Navy, and decommissioning nuclear power stations. It was founded in 1891 as Babcock & Wilcox Ltd by the US company Babcock & Wilcox Company. Initially it was a steam boiler manufacturer but diversified and expanded into ship repair, defence equipment, development of nuclear power stations, materials handling, ship building, and business services. Its helicopter operations were disposed of in the 2020s. In 2022 its revenue was £4.1 billion, with a net income of £167 million.
* BAE Systems — is a British multinational defence, security, and aerospace company producing civil and military aircraft, defence electronics, naval vessels, munitions, and land warfare systems. Established in 1999, its headquarters are in London, and Farnborough, Hampshire. It was formed from the merger of British Aerospace and Marconi Electronic Systems. In 2022 its revenue was £21.2 billion, with a net income of £1.6 billion.
* BAE Systems Digital Intelligence — is an international cyber security and cyber intelligence company. Established in 1971, its headquarters is in Guildford, Surrey. It was formally known as Smith Associates, Detica, and BAE Systems Applied Intelligence. Its parent company is BAE Systems.
* Baillie Gifford & Co — is an investment management company. Established in 1908, its headquarters is in Edinburgh, Scotland. It manages 9 investment trusts. As of 2022 its assets under management were valued at £223 billion.
* Baillie Gifford Japan Trust plc — is an investment trust focused on Japan. It is headquartered in Edinburgh and managed by Baillie Gifford & Co. It was founded in 1981.
* Balfour Beatty plc — is an international infrastructure company providing construction services, support services, and infrastructure investments in the public and private sectors. It is headquartered in London. It was founded in 1909 by George Balfour and Andrew Beatty as a tramway constructor. It expanded into electric power infrastructure, tram services, and bus services. The tram and bus operations were divested later. It also built power stations, rail workings, and housing. In 1969 it was acquired by cable manufacturer BICC. Its homes division was sold to Westbury in 1995. BICC divested its cable business and was renamed Balfour Beatty in 2000. It made a number of acquisitions in the UK, US, and Canada. In 2022 its revenue was £8.9 billion, with a net income of £287 million.
* Bamforth & Co Ltd - was a film production, and postcards publishing company. Established in 1870 in Holmfirth, Yorkshire, its headquarters was in Leeds, Yorkshire.
* Bank of Scotland — is a financial services company providing banking, insurance, and banknote production. Established in 1695, its headquarters is at The Mound, Edinburgh, Scotland. It was previously part of HBOS. Its parent company is Lloyds Banking Group.
* Bank of Wales (Welsh: Banc Cymru) — was a commercial bank offering financial services to small and medium-sized businesses in Wales. Headquartered in Cardiff, Wales; it was founded in 1971 by Sir Julian Hodge as Commercial Bank of Wales (Welsh:Banc Masnachol Cymru) . In 1986 it was acquired by Bank of Scotland plc and has ceased trading as a separate entity.
* Banks Group — is a mining, energy, and property development company. Established in 1976, its headquarters is in Durham.
* Bannatyne Fitness Ltd (trading as Bannatyne) — is a company that operates a chain of 69 health clubs, 43 spas, and three hotels. Headquartered in Darlington, County Durham; it was founded in 1997 by Duncan Bannatyne.
* Barclays plc — is a financial services company providing banking, investment management, and wealth management. Established in 1690, its headquarters is in London. In 2022 its revenue was £24.9 billion, with a net income of £5.9 billion.
* Barratt Developments — is a residential property development company headquartered in Coalville, North West Leicestershire. It was founded in 1958 by Lawrie Barratt and Lewis Greensit as Greensit Brothers, located in Newcastle upon Tyne. In 1973 it was renamed Barratt Developments. Its acquisitions include Arthur Wardle, Janes, Wilson Bowden, and Oregon Timber Frame. Its brands include Barratt Homes, David Wilson Homes, Barratt London, and Wilson Bowden Developments. In 2022 its revenue was £5.2 billion, with a net income of £515 million.
* Bath Investment & Building Society (trading as Bath Building Society) — is a building society offering mortgages and savings. It is headquartered in Bath, Somerset. It was founded in 1904 as a friendly society.
* BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation) — is a public service broadcasting statutory corporation that produces and broadcasts television and radio programming and provides online services. Established in 1922, its headquarters is at Broadcasting House, London. It was first formed as the British Broadcasting Company. In 2022 its revenue was £5.3 billion, with a net income of £206 million.
* BBC Film — is a film production company. Established in 1990, its headquarters is in London. Its parent company is the BBC.
* BBC Studios — is a television production and distribution company. Established in 2015, its headquarters is at Television Centre, London. In 2018 it subsumed BBC Worldwide. Its parent company is the BBC.
* BBC Studioworks — is a television studios, post-production, and related services company. Established in 1998, its headquarters is in London. Formerly known as BBC Resources Limited, and BBC Studios and Post Production Limited, its parent company is the BBC.
* Beauford Cars Ltd — is a car kit manufacturing company. Established in Up Holland, its headquarters is in Stoke-on-Trent.
* Beazer Group — was an international house building, construction, and building materials company. It was headquartered in Bath, Somerset. It was founded and owned by the Beazer family for six generations. C.H. Beazer was incorporated in 1956. It was floated on the London Stock Exchange in 1973 as C.H. Beazer (Holdings). Its acquisitions included Mortimer & Sons, R.M. Smith, Monsell Youell, Second City Properties, M.P. Kent, Westbrick, F. Pratten and Co Ltd, William Leech, Cohn Communities, French Kier, Gifford Hill, and Koppers. Beazer Europe was floated off and the USA operations became a separate business as Beazer Homes USA. Beazer was acquired by Hanson in 1991 who floated a new Beazer Group consisting solely of the UK house building business in 1994. It acquired Charles Church Developments in 1996. Beazer Group was acquired by Persimmon plc in 2001.
* Beazley — is a specialist insurance company headquartered in London. It manages six Lloyd's of London syndicates. In 2022 its revenue was £3.4 billion, with a net income of £160 million.
* Bede Gaming — is a software, and gambling company. Established in 2011, its headquarters is in Newcastle upon Tyne.
* Bedford Colliery — was a coal mine that operated from circa 1874 to 1929. Located in Bedford, Leigh, it became part of Manchester Collieries.
* Bedlam Productions — is a film and TV production company. Established in 2009, its headquarters is in London.
* Beecham Group — was a manufacturing company producing pharmaceuticals, drinks, toothpaste, and men's grooming products from 1859 to 1989. Its headquarters was in London. In 1989 Beecham Group and SmithKline Beckman merged to form SmithKline Beecham, and in 2000, they merged with GlaxoWellcome to form GlaxoSmithKline.
* Beefeater — is a licensed restaurant chain. Established in 1974, its headquarters is in Dunstable, Bedfordshire. Its parent company is Whitbread.
* Bellerby & Co, Globemakers — is a manufacturer of bespoke handmade globes. It is headquartered in Stoke Newington, London. It was founded in 2008 by Peter Bellerby.
* Bellway plc — is a residential property developer and housebuilder headquartered in Newcastle upon Tyne. It was founded in 1946 by John Thomas Bell and his sons as John T. Bell & Sons. In 2022 its revenue was £3.5 billion, with a net income of £242 million.
* Bell Pottinger — was a public relations, and advertising company that operated from 1988 to 2017. Its headquarters was in London.
* Be Military Fit (also known as BMF) — is a company that runs outdoor group fitness classes across the UK. It was founded in 1999 by Robin Cope, Harry Sowerby, and William Skinner as British Military Fitness. In 2018 it was acquired by NM Capital, and Bear Grylls Ventures and was renamed 'Be Military Fit'.
* Bentley — is an automobile manufacturing company producing luxury cars and racing cars. Established in 1919 in London, its headquarters is in Crewe. Between 1931 and 1970 it was owned by Rolls-Royce. From 1980 to 1998 it was owned by Vickers. From 1998 it is owned by Volkswagen.
* Beowulf Mining — is a mining company. Established in 1978, it was formerly known as Beowulf Gold.
* Berkeley Group Holdings plc — is a property developer and house building company headquartered in Cobham, Surrey. It was founded by Tony Pidgley and Jim Farrer in Weybridge, Surrey in 1976 as Berkeley Homes. In 2022 its revenue was £2.3 billion, with a net income of £482 million.
* bet365 — is an online gambling company. Established in 2000, its headquarters is in Stoke-on-Trent.
* Betable — is a gambling, and social gaming company. Established in 2008, its headquarters is in London.
* Betfair — is an online gambling company. Established in 2000, its headquarters is in London. It is owned by Flutter Entertainment.
* Betfred — is a gambling company. Established in 1967 in Salford, its headquarters is in Warrington.
* BetonSports — was an online gambling company. It operated from 1995 to 2006. Its headquarters was in London.
* Bettys and Taylors Group Ltd — is a producer of tea, coffee and other products, and operates a small chain of tea rooms. Headquartered in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, it was founded in 1962 when Bettys merged with Taylors of Harrogate. Its brands include Yorkshire Tea, Taylors Coffee, and Bettys Cafe Tea Rooms.
* Beverley Building Society — is a building society offering mortgages and savings. It is based in Beverley, East Riding of Yorkshire. It was founded in 1866.
* BFCS — was a commercials film production company that operated from 1966 to 2001. Headquartered in London, it was first named Brooks Baker Fulford.
* BH Macro — is an investment company focused on the global fixed income and foreign exchange markets. Founded in 2007, it is a feeder fund into a fund managed by Brevan Howard.
* BHP — is a multinational mining, metals, and petroleum company. Established in 1885, its headquarters is in Melbourne, Australia. It was formerly known as BHP Billiton.
* Big Talk Productions — is a film and TV production company. Established in 1994, its headquarters is in London. It is owned by ITV Studios.
* Big Yellow Group plc — is a self-storage company that operates storage sites in the UK, 19 of which use the name Armadillo Self Storage. It is headquartered in Bagshot, Surrey. It was founded in 1998 by Nicholas Vetch, Philip Burks, and James Gibson. In 2007 it was converted into a real estate investment trust. In 2022 its net income was £697 million.
* Biocompatibles — is a pharmaceutical manufacturer. Established in 1984, its headquarters is in Farnham, Surrey. In 2010 it was acquired by BTG plc which was acquired by Boston Scientific in 2019.
* Bio Products Laboratory — is a pharmaceuticals company producing human blood plasma products. Established in 1954 in Elstree. It was formerly part of the NHS; but is now owned by Permira and the Marcucci family who announced that its operations will be merged with Kedrion.
* Birmingham and Staffordshire Gas Light Company — was a gas production and supply company that operated from 1825 to 1875.
* Birmingham Gas Light and Coke Company — was a gas production and supply company that operated from 1819 to 1875.
* Birmingham Midshires — was a financial services company providing banking and insurance. It was formerly a building society founded in 1986 by the merger of the Birmingham and Bridgwater Building Society with the Midshires Building Society. It has become a brand of Lloyds Banking Group.
* Bisichi Mining — is a mining and property corporation. Established in 1910, its headquarters is in London.
* Black Camel Pictures — is a film production company. Its headquarters is in Glasgow, Scotland.
* BlackRock Greater Europe Investment Trust plc — is an investment trust focused on European companies. It was founded in 2004 as The Merrill Lynch Greater Europe Investment Trust. It was given its current name in 2008 when BlackRock took over its management.
* BlackRock Smaller Companies Trust plc — is a British investment trust focused on investments in smaller companies. It is headquartered in London. It was established in 1906 as the North British Canadian Investment Company. It is managed by BlackRock.
* BlackRock Throgmorton Trust plc - is an investment trust focused on investing in small and mid-sized companies. It was founded in 1962 as The Throgmorton Trust. In the 1980s it had a subsidiary named Capital for Industry which invested in consumer businesses. Since 2008 the trust has been managed by BlackRock.
* BlackRock World Mining Trust plc — is an investment trust focused on mining and metals. It was founded in 1993 and is headquartered in London. It is managed by BlackRock.
* Blakeley's Productions - was a film production company. See Mancunian Films.
* Bleep — is an online record store company. Created by Warp Records), it was established in 2004.
* Blink — is a media production company creating content for advertising, and music videos. Established in 1985, its headquarters is in London.
* Bloor Homes — is a house building company headquartered in Measham, Leicestershire. It was founded in 1969 by John Bloor. Its parent company is Bloor Holdings.
* Blueprint Pictures — is a film production company. Established in 2005, its headquarters is in London.
* BMF — is an alternative name of the fitness company Be Military Fit.
* Bodycote plc — is an engineering services company that supplies heat treatments, metal joining, hot isostatic pressing, and coatings services. It is headquartered in Macclesfield, Cheshire. It was founded in 1923 by Arthur Bodycote in Hinckley as a textile business named G.R. Bodycote Ltd. In the 1970s it refocused on engineering services. It has 2 business divisions. The Aerospace, Defence & Energy division (ADE) serves the aerospace, defence, power generation, and oil and gas industries. The Automotive & General Industrial division (AGI) serves the automotive, construction, machine building, medical, and transportation industries. In 2022 its revenue was £743 million, with a net income of £74 million.
* bolexbrothers — was an animation film production company. Established in 1993, its headquarters was in Bristol.
* Bolckow, Vaughan — was a mining, ironmaking, and steel production company that operated from 1840 to 1929. Its headquarters was in Middlesbrough.
* Bolsover Colliery Company — was a coal mining company that operated from 1889 to 1947. Headquartered in Bolsover, Derbyshire, in 1947 it was nationalised and became part of the National Coal Board.
* Bombay Spirits Company Ltd — is a producer of gin located at Laverstoke Mill, Laverstoke, Hampshire. It is owned by Bacardi.
* Bonmarché — is a company that operates a womenswear store chain, and retail website. It is headquartered in Wakefield, West Yorkshire. It was founded in 1982 by Parkash Singh Chima. It was acquired by the Peacock Group in 2002, then by Sun European Partners in 2012. In 2019 it was acquired by Philip Day in 2019 before being put into administration later that year. It is now a subsidiary of Edinburgh Woollen Mill which is owned by Purepay Retail.
* Boohoo Group plc — is a clothing manufacturer and online retailer specialising in clothes for 16 to 30 year olds. It is headquartered in Manchester. It was founded in 2006 by Mahmud Kamani and Carol Kane. In 2014 it was floated on the AIM submarket of the London Stock Exchange. In 2019 it acquired the online businesses of Karen Millen and Coast. In 2020 it acquired the brands and website of Oasis Stores and Warehouse. In 2021 it acquired the brand and online business of Debenhams, and also the Arcadia Group's brands Burton, Wallis, and Dorothy Perkins. Its subsidiaries include boohooMan, PrettyLittleThing, Nasty Gal, and MissPap.
* Booths — is the trading name of E. H. Booth & Co Ltd, a supermarket retailer.
* Boots UK Ltd (trading as Boots) — is a pharmaceutical, and health and beauty products supplier and manufacturer, and provides photography services. It operates a retail stores chain, and a retail website. Established in 1849, its headquarters is in Nottingham. It was formerly known as Boots the Chemists, and Boots Pure Drugs Company. Since 2014 it is a subsidiary of Walgreens Boots Alliance.
* Boots Opticians Ltd — is an optometry company that operates a retail chain of dispensing opticians clinics. The clinics are either company-owned or franchises. It is headquartered in Beeston, Nottinghamshire. It was founded in 1983 and became a subsidiary of Boots in 1987. In 2009 it was merged with Dollond & Aitchison. It is now a subsidiary of Walgreens Boots Alliance. Its acquisitions include Clement Clarke Ltd, and Curry and Paxton Ltd.
* Bourne Leisure — is a leisure company that operates caravan parks, holiday camps, and hotels. Established in 1964 in Whitstable, its headquarters is in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire.
* Bournemouth Water — is a utility company supplying water. Established in 1863, its headquarters is in Bournemouth, Dorset. Its parent company is South West Water which is owned by the Pennon Group.
* Bovis Construction — was a construction company headquartered in London. It was founded in 1885 by Charles William Bovis as C.W. Bovis & Co. It was later known as Bovis Holdings and then Bovis Construction. It had a number of retail clients such as Marks & Spencer. In the 1950s it moved into housing through Bovis Homes. In the 1970s it diversified into banking with the acquisition of Twentieth Century Banking. After a banking crisis P&O rescued the company in 1974 and Bovis became a subsidiary of P&O. Bovis Homes was demerged in 1997. In 1999 Bovis Construction was acquired by Lendlease Group and became Bovis Lend Lease until the brand was discontinued.
* Bovis Homes — was a house-building company that originated as a part of Bovis Holdings, and Bovis Construction. In 1974 P&O acquired Bovis Holdings. In 1997 Bovis Homes was demerged and floated on the London Stock Exchange. In 2019 it was merged with Galliford Try's housing businesses to form Vistry Group plc.
* Bowler Manufacturing — is a manufacturer of off-road racing cars. Established in 1985, its headquarters is in Belper, Derbyshire. Since 2019 it is owned by Jaguar Land Rover.
* Bradford & Bingley — was a financial services banking company that operated from 1964 to 2010. Formerly a building society, its headquarters was in Bingley, West Yorkshire. It was formed by the merger of the Bradford Equitable Building Society with the Bingley Permanent Building Society. It was nationalised in 2008, and in 2010 the savings business was subsumed by Santander Group, while the mortgage business was merged with Northern Rock (asset management) to form UK Asset Resolution.
* Brazil Iron — is a metals and mining company. Established in 2000, its headquarters is in London.
* Bremont Watch Company — is a private company that is a luxury watchmaker. Established in 2002, its headquarters is in Henley-on-Thames.
* BrewDog plc — is a multinational brewery, and pub chain. It produces various types of ales, lagers, and spirits. It is headquartered in Ellon, Aberdeenshire, Scotland. It was founded in 2007 by James Watt and Martin Dickie in Fraserburgh.
* Brewers Fayre — is a hospitality company operating a licensed restaurant chain. Established in 1979, its headquarters is in Dunstable, Bedfordshire. Its parent company is Whitbread.
* Bridgepoint Group plc — is a private investment company headquartered in London. It was founded in 1984 as NatWest Equity Partners, a private equity division of NatWest. In 2000 it was the subject of a management buyout and renamed Bridgepoint Capital. It was later renamed Bridgepoint Advisors, and then Bridgepoint Group. It was floated on the London Stock Exchange in 2021. In 2022 its revenue was £307 million, with a net income of £120 million.
* Bridgewater Collieries — was a coal mining company that operated from 1921 to 1929. It became part of Manchester Collieries.
* Briggs Automotive Company — is a manufacturer of sports cars. Established in 2009, its headquarters is in Speke, Liverpool.
* Bristol Water — is a utility company supplying water. Established in 1846, its headquarters is in Bristol. It was formerly known as the Bristol Waterworks Company. In 2021 it was acquired by Pennon Group.
* Britannia Building Society — was a mutual building society providing savings products and mortgages that operated from 1856 to 2009. Its headquarters was in Leek, Staffordshire. It was formed as the Leek and Morlands Permanent Benefit Building Society. Through a series of mergers it later became the Leek and Westbourne, the Westbourne and Eastern Counties, and in 1975 the Britannia Building Society. In 2009 it was merged into The Co-operative Banking Group.
* British Aerospace — was an aircraft, munitions, and defence systems manufacturing company that operated from 1977 to 1999. It was also an automobile manufacturer from 1988 to 1994 through its subsidiary Rover Group. Its headquarters was in Farnborough, Hampshire. It was formed from the nationalisation and merger of the British Aircraft Corporation, Hawker Siddeley Aviation, Hawker Siddeley Dynamics, and Scottish Aviation. In 1999 it was merged with Marconi Electronic Systems to form BAE Systems.
* British Airways — is an airline company. Established in 1974, its headquarters is Waterside, Harmondsworth. It was formed as a nationalised company from the merger of British Overseas Airways Corporation, British European Airways, Cambrian Airways and Northeast Airlines. It was privatised in 1987. Its parent company is International Airlines Group.
* British Aluminium — was an aluminium production company that operated from 1894 to 2007. It was also known as British Alcan Aluminium.
* British American Tobacco — is a cigarette and tobacco manufacturing company that previously also operated in retailing, and financial services. Established in 1902, its headquarters is in London. It was formed when the Imperial Tobacco Company and the American Tobacco Company created a joint venture, the British-American Tobacco Company. Its 2022 revenue was £27.6 billion, with a net income of £6.8 billion.
* British and Colonial Films — was a film production company that operated from 1908 to 1924. Headquartered in London, it was first named British and Colonial Kinematograph Company.
* British and Dominions Film Corporation — was a film production company that operated from 1929 to 1938. Its headquarters was in Borehamwood, Hertfordshire.
* British Biotech — was a biotechnology company producing pharmaceuticals, that operated from 1986 to 2003. Its headquarters was in Oxford. In 2003 it was merged into Ribo Targets and then into Vernalis plc.
* British Coal — was a nationalised coal mining corporation that operated from 1946 to 1997. It was formerly known as The National Coal Board. It was privatised and succeeded by UK Coal.
* British Energy — was an energy company generating electricity, that operated from 1995 to 2009. Its headquarters was in London. It was acquired and subsumed by Electricite de France (EDF).
* British Gas Corporation — was a state owned energy company supplying and distributing gas, that operated from 1972 to 1986. It was formed from the 12 regional gas boards. In 1986 it was privatised to become British Gas plc.
* British Gas plc — was an energy company supplying gas, and home services, that operated from 1986 to 1997. It was formed from the privatisation of the British Gas Corporation. In 1997 it was demerged into Centrica, BG Group, and Transco.
* British Home Stores (BHS) — was a multinational department store chain offering clothing, homewares, furniture, electronic products, entertainment products, fragrance and beauty products, and groceries. It also had in-store restaurants. It was headquartered in London. It was founded in 1928 in Brixton by a group of US entrepreneurs. The store chain was increased and, in 1933, the company was floated on the London Stock Exchange. The expansion increased and there was a joint venture from 1977 with Sainsbury's to create a hypermarket chain called SavaCentre which Sainsbury's bought out in 1989. In 1986 BHS was merged with Habitat and Mothercare to form Storehouse plc. In 2000 it was acquired by Philip Green who took the company private and , in 2009, included it in Arcadia Group. In 2015 BHS was sold to Retail Acquisitions. In 2016 it was put into administration and then liquidated. The non-UK franchise stores were acquired by the Al Mana Group, while the BHS website is owned and operated by Litecraft Group Ltd who use the BHS logo and brandname under license.
* British Instructional Films — was a film production company that operated from 1919 to 1932.
* British International Pictures — was a film production, distribution, and exhibition company. See Associated British Picture Corporation.
* British Land — is a real estate investment trust active in property development and investment. Established in 1856, its headquarters is in London. It was formed as an offshoot of the National Freehold Land Society. In 2022 its revenue was £430 million, with a net income of £958 million.
* British Leyland — was an automobile manufacturing and engineering company that operated from 1965 to 1986. Its headquarters were in Longbridge, Birmingham, and Cowley, Oxfordshire. Also known as BLMC Ltd, it was first established with the merger of Leyland Motors, and British Motor Holdings.It was part nationalised in 1975. In 1986 it was renamed as The Rover Group and was privatised as a subsidiary of British Aerospace from 1988 to 1994.
* British Lion Films — is a film production and distribution company. Established in 1919, it was first named British Lion Film Corporation Ltd.
* British Rail — was a government owned railway company that operated from 1948 to 1997. It was formed from the nationalisation of the Big Four British railway companies and was privatised in stages between 1994 and 1997.
* British Steel Limited — is a steel company manufacturing long steel products). Established in 2016, it was formed from the sale of long steel production by Tata Steel Europe to Greybull Capital. Its parent company is Jingye Group.
* British Steel plc — was a steel production company that operated from 1967 to 1999. Formerly known as the British Steel Corporation, it was formed from the nationalisation of 14 private steel companies. It was privatised in 1988, and in 1999 it was merged with Koninklijke Hoogovens to form Corus Group.
* British Sugar plc — is a producer of sugar from sugar beet as well as medicinal cannabis, bioethanol, animal feed, topsoil, and soil conditioners. It is headquartered in Peterborough. It was founded in 1936 when the UK government nationalised all of the sugar beet processing industry into the British Sugar Corporation. In 1972 it began selling its sugar products under the name Silver Spoon. In 1982 its name was shortened to British Sugar plc, and it was acquired by Beresford International. In 1991 it was sold to Associated British Foods of which it is a subsidiary. It acquired sugar producer Billingtons in 2004. In 2021 its revenue was £714 million, with a net income of £35 million.
* British Super Films — was a film production company. See G.B. Samuelson Productions.
* British Transport Films — was a railway documentary film production company. It operated from 1949 to circa 1986.
* British United Provident Association Ltd (Bupa) — is a multinational health insurance and healthcare company headquartered in London. It is a private company limited by guarantee. Its healthcare operations include: hospitals (mainly in Spain, Poland, and Chile), outpatient clinics, dental centres, digital services, and aged care facilities. It was founded in 1947 when seventeen British provident associations amalgamated to provide healthcare. Since then it has expanded internationally with many acquisitions. In 2021 its revenue was £12.9 billion, with a net income of £423 million.
* Britvic plc — is a producer of soft drinks that is headquartered in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire. It has over 40 brands including: Robinsons, MiWadi, Tango, Club, Purdey's, R. White's Lemonade, Cidona, J2O, and Teisseire. It is also the UK franchise holder and licensed bottler for PepsiCo drinks. It was founded in 1845 in Chelmsford as the British Vitamin Products Company. In 1938 it began producing fruit juices and in 1949 marketed them under the Britvic name. The company itself was renamed Britvik in 1971. In 1986 it was merged with Canada Dry Rawlings. In 2022 its revenue was £1.6 billion, with a net income of £140 million.
* Brompton Bicycle Limited — is a manufacturer of folding bicycles based in Greenford, London. It was founded in 1976 by Andrew Ritchie. In 2019 its revenue was £42 million, with an operating income of £3.4 million.
* Brooke Cars — is a manufacturer of sports cars. Established in 2002, its headquarters is in Honiton, Devon.
* Brooke Marine — was a ship building company, including civilian, commercial, and warships. It operated from 1874 to 1992. It was also an automobile manufacturer from 1901 to 1913, and a car engines manufacturer until 1938. Headquartered in Lowestoft, Suffolk, it was also known as JW Brooke & Co, and Brooke Yachts.
* Brora distillery — is a producer of Scottish whisky based in Brora, Scotland. It was founded in 1819 by the Marquess of Stafford as Clynelish until the Clynelish distillery opened in 1968 when it was renamed Brora distillery. In 1983 production ended until 2021 when it was reactivated. It is owned by Diageo.
* Broseley Estates Ltd — was a house building company headquartered in Leigh, Lancashire. It was founded in 1953 by Daniel Horrocks. In 1960 it was re-formed as the Broseley Investment Company. It expanded until in the early 1980s it was the UK's fourth largest housebuilder. In 1986 its majority owner Guardian Royal Exchange kept the commercial property operation but sold Broseley Estates to Trafalgar House where it became part of Ideal Homes.
* Brothers Drinks Company Ltd — is a producer of fruit ciders and a bottling company. It is headquartered in Shepton Mallet, Somerset. It was founded in 1992 by four Showering brothers whose father invented Babycham. In 2021 the Babycham brand was acquired for the company.
* Brown Lloyd James — is a public relations company.
* Bryanston Films (UK) — was a film production company that operated from 1959 to 1963.
* BT Group — is a British multinational telecommunications company providing fixed line telephony, mobile telephony, broadband internet, and digital television. Established in 1969 as a public corporation, it was privatised in 1984. Its headquarters is in London. Formerly known as Post Office Telecommunications, British Telecom, and then trading as BT, it has 7 divisions and 3 subsidiaries. In 2022 its revenue was £20.8 billion, with a net income of £1.2 billion.
* Buckinghamshire Building Society — is a building society offering mortgages and savings. It is based in Chalfont St Giles, Buckinghamshire. It was founded in 1907 as the Chalfont & District Permanent Building Society. In 1961 it was renamed the Buckinghamshire Building Society.
* Budgen Stores Ltd (trading as Budgens) — is a company that operates a retail chain of franchise convenience stores. It is headquartered in Harefield, London. It was founded in 1872 by John Budgen. Formerly trading as Budgen, it was renamed Budgens circa 1990. In 2002 it was acquired by Musgrave. In 2015 it was acquired by Booker Group which is now owned by Tesco plc.
* Bulb Energy — is an energy company supplying electricity and gas. Established in 2013, its headquarters is in London. It was formerly known as Regent Power, and Hanbury Energy. In 2022 it was acquired by Octopus Energy.
* Bunzl plc - is a British multinational distribution and outsourcing company headquartered in London. It was established in 1940 in London by the Bunzl family as Tissue Papers Ltd. At first it manufactured cigarette filters, crepe, and tissue paper. It later produced fibres, pulp, paper, building materials, and plastics before it was restructured as a distribution company. In 2022 it had a revenue of £12 billion, with a net income of £474 million.
* BUPA — is a multinational health insurance and healthcare company. See British United Provident Association Ltd.
* Burberry Group plc — is a luxury fashion manufacturer and retailer. Founded in 1856 in Basingstoke, it is now headquartered in London. In 2022 its revenue was £2.8 billion, with a net income of £397 million.
* Burton's Biscuit Company — is a biscuit and savoury snack manufacturer. It was founded in 1935 by Joseph Burton; previously the first Burton's Biscuits were baked for sale by his grandfather George Burton in Liverpool. Headquartered in St Albans, it has had a number of different owners and in June 2021 it was bought by Ferrero SpA.
* Bushey Studios — was a film studio that operated from 1913 to 1985. Its headquarters was in Bushey, Hertfordshire.
* Business Stream — is a utility company supplying water, and sewage disposal for non-domestic sites. Established in 2006, its headquarters is in Edinburgh, Scotland. Its parent company is Scottish Water.
* Butlins — is a leisure company that operates holiday camps and hotels. Established in 1936, its headquarters is in Hemel Hempstead. Since 2022 it is owned and run by Butlins Skyline Ltd which is owned by The Harris Family Trust.
* Bytes Technology Group — is a re-seller of computer software. It is headquartered in Leatherhead, Surrey. It was founded in 1982 in a shop in Epsom. In 1998 it was acquired by Allied Electronics Corporation (Altron). In 2020 it was demerged from Altron and floated on the London Stock Exchange. In 2022 its revenue was £447 million, with net income of £32 million.

## C

* C. & J. Clark International Ltd (trading as Clarks) — is an international shoe manufacturer and retailer. It operates a multinational shoe store chain that is a mixture of company owned stores and franchises, as well as a retail website. It is headquartered in Street, Somerset. It was founded in 1825-1828 by brothers Cyrus and James Clark. Later in the 19th century the shoe making process was automated. Also, the business funded a number of social initiatives in Street such as a school, theatre, library, swimming pool, and town hall. In 1903 it was incorporated. In 1937 it acquired the Abbotts store chain and used the retail brand name 'Peter Lord'. In the 1970s it acquired 'Ravel, Pint and Mondaine' and 'K shoes'. The Clark family ran the company until 1993, and owned it until 2020 when LionRock Capital took overall control. In 2021 Viva China Holdings (renamed Viva Goods Co. Ltd) took control of LionRock Capital including Clarks.
* Cadbury - formerly named "Cadburys" and "Cadbury Schweppes " is a British multinational confectionery company. It was established in 1824 by John Cadbury in Birmingham. Its headquarters are now in Uxbridge, London. Cadbury merged with J. S. Fry & Sons in 1919, and with Schweppes in 1969 to form Cadbury Schweppes until Schweppes was demerged in 2008. Cadbury was bought by Kraft Foods Inc. in 2010, and is now a brand of Mondelez International.
* Caffè Nero Group Ltd — is a company that operates a multinational coffeehouse chain and has its own roastery. It is headquartered in London. It was founded in 1997 by Gerry Ford who remains the owner. In 2001 it was floated on the London Stock Exchange before going private again in 2007. Its subsidiaries are Harris + Hoole, Coffee#1, and Aroma Coffee.
* Caffia Coffee Group — is a supplier of coffee machines and coffee products to the workplaces and restaurants market. It is a family-run business headquartered in Falkirk, Scotland. It was founded in 1985 as Lomond Coffee Services. In 2013 it was renamed Caffia Coffee Group.
* cahoot — is a financial services company providing online banking. Established in 2000, its headquarters is in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Formerly part of Abbey National, it is now part of Santander UK.
* Cake Entertainment — is a TV series production and distribution company. Established in 2002, its headquarters is in London.
* Cala Group (Holdings) Limited — is a house building company. It was founded in 1875 as the City of Aberdeen Land Association. In 2014 it acquired Banner Homes. In 2018 it was acquired by Legal & General. In 2022 its revenue was £1.2 billion, with a net income of £93 million.
* Caledonia Investments plc — is an investment trust headquartered in London. It originated in 1928 as The Foreign Railways Investment Trust Ltd. The Cayzer family acquired it in 1951 to hold their business interests, and it was renamed Caledonia Investments. In 2003 it was converted into an investment trust company.
* Cambridge & Counties Bank Ltd — is a bank offering property finance, asset finance, specialist car finance, and savings accounts for small to medium-sized businesses and credit unions. Headquartered in Leicester, Leicestershire; it was founded in 2012. It is owned by Trinity Hall and Cambridgeshire Local Government Pension Scheme.
* Cambridge Water Company — is a utility company supplying water. Established in 1853, it is now part of South Staffordshire Water.
* Camelot Group — is a lottery company. Established in 1998, its headquarters is in Watford.
* Caparo Vehicle Technologies — was an automotive and aerospace design and engineering and sports car production company. It operated from 2006 to 2019.
* Capital Gearing Trust plc — is an investment trust established in 1973. Since 1982 it has been managed by Capitol Gearing Asset Management, an employee ownership trust.
* Capitol Films — was a film production and distribution company that operated from 1989 to 2013.
* Card Factory plc — is a company that operates a retail store chain and retail websites offering greetings cards, calendars, and small gifts. It also produces cards and calendars. It is headquartered in Wakefield, West Yorkshire. It was founded in 1997 by Dean and Janet Hoyle. In 2010 it was acquired by Charterhouse Capital Partners, and in 2014 it was floated on the London Stock Exchange.
* Carnival Corporation & plc — is a British and American hospitality and tourism corporation (a cruise operator with 10 cruise brands). It is composed of two companies – the US headquartered Carnival Corporation which is listed on the New York Stock Exchange, and the UK based Carnival plc which is listed on the UK Stock Exchange. Established in 1972, its headquarters are in Doral, Florida, US and Southampton, Hampshire UK. It was previously known as Carnival Cruise Line (which became a subsidiary), Carnival Corporation, and P&O Princess Cruises. Its cruise lines are: Carnival Cruise Line, Cunard Line, P&O Cruises, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Seabourn Cruise Line, P&O Cruises Australia, Carnival Cruise Line Australia, CSSC Carnival Cruise Shipping, Costa Cruises, and AIDA Cruises. Former brands are: A-Rosa Cruises, Fathom, Fiesta Marina Cruises, Ibero Cruises, Ocean Village, Swan Hellenic, and Windstar Cruises. In 2022 its revenue was $12.1 billion, with a net income of $6 billion.
* Carpetright Ltd — is a multinational company that operates a retail store chain and retail website offering carpets, other floor coverings, beds, mattresses, curtains, blinds, and artificial grass. It is headquartered in Purfleet, Essex. It was founded in 1988 by Philip Harris, Baron Harris of Peckham. In 1993 it was floated on the London Stock Exchange. In 2019/2020 it was acquired by Meditor, and returned to private ownership. Its acquisitions include: Mays World of Carpets, Storey Carpets, and Sleepright UK.
* Cater Allen — is a financial services company providing private banking. Established in 1816, its headquarters is in London. Its parent company is Santander Group.
* Caterham Cars — is an automobile company manufacturing sports cars and F1 cars. Established in 1973 at Caterham, Surrey, its headquarters is in Crawley, Sussex. It has also traded as Seven Cars Limited. In 2021 it was acquired by VT Holdings.
* Caterham Springwater Company — was a utility company supplying water. It operated from 1852 to 1885. In 1885 it was merged with Kenley Water Company to form the East Surrey Water Company.
* Catford Studios — was a film studio that operated from 1914 to 1921. Located in Catford, London, it was also known as Windsor Studios.
* C.D.S. (Superstores International) Ltd — is a home, garden and leisure products manufacturer and retailer trading as The Range. See The Range.
* Celltech — was a biotechnology company that operated from 1980 to 2004. Its headquarters was in Slough. In 1999 it was acquired by Chiroscience to briefly become Celltech Chiroscience. Celltech was acquired by UCB in 2004.
* Central Electricity Generating Board — was an electricity generation and transmission company that operated from 1957 to 2001. It began as a government owned body until it was privatised in the 1990s. Its headquarters was in London.
* Centrica — is a multinational energy company supplying electric and gas, as well as a services company. Established in 1997, its headquarters is in Windsor, Berkshire. It was formed when British Gas plc was split into Centrica, BG Group, and Transco. Its trading names include British Gas, Scottish Gas, Bord Gais Energy, and Phoenix Gas. In 2022 its revenue was £33.6 billion, with a net income loss of £636 million.
* Century 21 Productions - was a television and film production company. See AP Films.
* Century Building Society — was a building society providing financial services. It was based in Edinburgh, Scotland. It was founded in 1899 as The New Edinburgh Investment Building Society. In 1946 it was renamed Century Building Society. In 2013 it was merged with Scottish Building Society.
* CeX Ltd (Complete Entertainment eXchange; trading as CeX Entertainment Exchange) — is a multinational second hand retail store chain and retail website buying and selling technology, computer goods, video games, dvds, cds, and providing technology repair. It is headquartered in Watford, Hertfordshire. It was founded in 1992 in London as 'Computer Exchange'. The store chain is a mixture of franchises and centrally owned stores. In 2013 CeX Group founded 'Designer Exchange' as a second hand store chain buying and selling items such as luxury leather goods, jewellery, and handbags.
* Channel Four Films — was the former name of Film4 Productions.
* Charge Automotive — was the former name of electric vehicle manufacturing company Arrival.
* Charles Church Developments Ltd — is an upmarket house building company headquartered in York, North Yorkshire. It was founded in 1965 by Charles JG Church as Burke and Church. In 1972 it was renamed Charles Church Developments. It acquired County Homes in 1987. In 1996 it was acquired by Beazer Group plc. In 2001 Beazer was acquired by Persimmon plc which retained Charles Church Developments as a subsidiary.
* Charles Urban Trading Company — was a film production company that operated from 1903 to 1914/1918. Its headquarters was in London.
* Charlotte Street Partners — is a communications company. Established in 2014, its headquarters is in Edinburgh.
* Chartered Bank of India, Australia and China — was a multinational British banking company that operated from 1853 to 1969. Its headquarters was in London. In 1969 it was merged with Standard Bank Limited to form Standard Chartered Bank.
* Chelsea Waterworks Company — was a utility company supplying water that operated from 1723 to 1902. Headquartered in London, it became part of the Metropolitan Water Board.
* Chelsham and Woldingham Water Company — was a utility company supplying water that operated from 1884 to 1930. It became part of East Surrey Water Company.
* Chemring Group plc — is a manufacturer of advanced technology products for the aerospace, defence, and security markets. It is headquartered in Romsey, Hampshire. It was founded in 1905 as The British, Foreign & Colonial Automatic Light Controlling Company which manufactured timers for gas street lightings. In 1974 it was floated on the London Stock Exchange. It has made a number of acquisitions in the UK, US, and continental Europe. Its subsidiaries include Roke Manor Research. In 2022 its revenue was £442 million, with a net income of £47 million.
* Chester Waterworks Company — was a utility company supplying water that operated from 1838 to 1997. Headquartered in Chester, it was formerly known as the City of Chester Waterworks Company. In 1997 it became part of Dee Valley Water.
* Child & Co. — was a financial services company providing private banking and wealth management. Formerly a goldsmiths, it was established in 1664 and was the oldest bank in the U.K. Headquartered in London, it became a brand of the Royal Bank of Scotland until 2022.
* Children's Film Unit — was a film production company that operated from 1981 to 2011.
* Chime Communications Limited — is a marketing services company. Established in 1989, its headquarters is in London.
* Chiroscience — was a biotechnology company that operated from 1991 to 1999. In 1996 it was merged with Darwin Molecular Corporation. In 1999 it was acquired by Celltech who, in 2004, were acquired by UCB.
* C. Hoare & Co (also known as Hoares) — is a private bank offering mortgages, savings, and loans to mainly high-net-worth clients. Headquartered in London; it was founded in 1672 by Sir Richard Hoare and is still owned by his descendants.
* Cholderton and District Water Company — is a utility company supplying water. It was established in 1904.
* Chorion — was a media, film and TV production and distribution company. It operated from 1998 to 2012.
* Chorley and District Building Society (trading as Chorley Building Society) — is a building society offering mortgages, savings, and insurance. It is headquartered in Chorley, Lancashire. It was founded in 1859 as The Chorley Permanent Benefit Building Society and was incorporated in 1874.
* Churchill Mining — is a coal mining company. Established in 2005, its headquarters is in London.
* Cineguild Productions — was a film production company that operated from 1944 to 1951.
* Cineworld — is an international cinema chain company. Established in 1995, its headquarters is in London. In 2022 its revenue was £1.8 billion, with a net income loss of £565 million.
* Cirkle — is a public relations company. Established in 1986, its headquarters is in Beaconsfield. In 2022 it was acquired by Accordience.
* CiteAb — is a biotechnology and life sciences data company that provides a search engine for research antibodies. Established in 2014, its headquarters is in Bath, Somerset.
* City of London Investment Trust plc — is an investment trust focused on UK equities. Headquartered in London, it is listed on both the London Stock Exchange and the New Zealand Stock Exchange. It was founded in 1861 as the City of London Brewery Company Ltd in order to acquire Calverts (a brewery in the City of London). In 1932 it was renamed The City of London Brewery and Investment Trust Ltd to reflect that parts of the business had been sold and the proceeds invested in securities. In 1968 the remnants of the brewery business were sold in order to focus solely on investment. It is managed by Janus Henderson.
* Clarks — is the trading name of C. & J. Clark International Ltd, an international shoe manufacturer and retailer.
* Clarkson plc — is a provider of shipping services including shipbroking, finance, support, and research. It is headquartered in London. It was founded in 1852 by Horace Anderton Clarkson. In 2022 its revenue was £603 million, with a net income of £79 million.
* Clearwater Features — was a film and TV production company that operated from 1979 to 1990. Its headquarters was in London.
* Clerical Medical — is a financial services company providing life insurance, pensions, and investment. Established in 1824, its headquarters is in London. It was formerly known as the Medical, Clerical and General Life Assurance Society. Its parent company is Lloyds Banking Group.
* Clifton and Kersley Coal Company — was a coal mining company that operated from 1861 to 1929. It became part of Manchester Collieries.
* Clinton Cards Ltd (trading as Clintons) — is a company that operates a retail store chain and retail website offering greetings cards, soft toys, and small gifts. It also produces cards and other items. It is headquartered in Loughton, Essex. It was founded in 1968 by Don Lewin. In 1988 it was floated on the London Stock Exchange. In 2004 it acquired Birthdays Ltd. In 2012 it went private again and from 2012 to 2018 it was owned by American Greetings; from 2018 to 2019 by the Weiss family; and from 2019 by Esquire Retail Ltd.
* Close Brothers Group plc — is a merchant banking company that provides lending, takes deposits, manages wealth, and trades in securities. It is headquartered in London. It was founded in 1878 by William Brooks Close and his brothers Fred and James Close in Sioux City, Iowa, US. In 2022 its revenue was £936 million, with a net income of £165 million.
* Cloud Eight Films — is a film and television production company. Established in 2009, its headquarters is in London.
* Coalite Company — was a coke, petrol, and oils production company that operated from 1917 to 2004. Established in London, its headquarters was in Bolsover. It was also known as The Coalite Chemicals Company.
* Cocoa Mountain — is a producer of chocolate confectionery. It also operates two cafes. Headquartered in Durness, Scotland; it was founded in 2006 by James Findlay and Paul Maden.
* Codex Pictures — was a film production company that operated from 2008 to 2013. Its headquarters was in London.
* Colne Valley Water — was a utility company supplying water. It operated from 1873 to 1994. In 1994 it was merged into Three Valleys Water.
* Comben Homes — was a house building company. It was founded in 1907 by James White Comben and William Henry Wakeling as Comben & Wakeling. In 1972 it acquired Ryedale Homes and was renamed Comben Group, trading as Comben Homes. In 1984 it was acquired by Trafalgar House and became part of its Ideal Homes house building operation.
* Comeleon - was the former name of Tanfield Group.
* Company of Mineral and Battery Works — was a metal, mining, and wire works company that operated from 1565 to c1750.
* Compass Group — is a British multinational contract food service, cleaning, and facilities management company. Established in 1941, its headquarters is in Chertsey. It was formerly known as Factory Canteens Limited, and Bateman Catering. In 2022 its revenue was £25.1 billion, with a net income of £1.1 billion.
* Computacenter plc — is a multinational provider of computer services to the public-sector and private-sector. It is involved in the supply, implementation, support, and management of information technology systems. It is headquartered in Hatfield, Hertfordshire. It was founded in 1981 by Philip Hulme and Peter Ogden. In 2022 its revenue was £6.4 billion, with a net income of £184 million.
* Computer Film Company — was a film visual effects company. Established in 1986, its headquarters was in London. In 1997 it was merged with Framestore.
* Consolidated Gold Fields — was a gold mining company that operated from 1887 to 1988. Headquartered in London, it was acquired by Hanson.
* Convatec — is a medical devices company. Established in 1978, its headquarters is in Reading, Berkshire. It was formerly a division of E.R. Squibb & Sons, Inc. In 2022 its revenue was $2 billion, with a net income of $62 million.
* Co-op Energy — is an energy company supplying electricity. Established in 2010, its headquarters is in Warwick. Its parent company is The Midcounties Co-operative. In 2019 it entered an operating partnership with Octopus Energy.
* Co-op Funeralcare — is the trading name of Funeral Services Ltd, a provider of funeral services.
* The Co-operative Bank plc — is a financial services company offering banking services. Established in 1872, its headquarters is in Manchester. It was first formed as the Loan and Deposit Department of the Co-operative Wholesale Society. In 2009, it merged with the Britannia Building Society. In 2018, it had an operating income of £369 million. It is owned by The Co-operative Bank Holdings Ltd.
* The Co-operative Banking Group — was a financial services company offering banking and insurance services that operated from 2002 to 2013. Its headquarters was in Manchester. Formerly known as Co-operative Financial Services, its subsidiaries were The Co-operative Bank and Co-op Insurance Services Ltd. Its parent company was The Co-operative Group. In 2013 the group structure was reconfigured.
* The Co-operative Group — trading as Co-op is a consumers' co-operative retail group offering food, e-pharmacy, insurance services, legal services, funeral care, and land and property management. Established in 1844, its headquarters is One Angel Square, Manchester. First established as the Rochdale Society of Equitable Pioneers, in 1872 it became The Co-operative Wholesale Society. In 2020 its revenue was £11.5 billion, with a net income of £77 million.
* Co-op Insurance Services Ltd — is an insurance services company. Established in 1867, its headquarters is at CIS Tower, Manchester. Its parent company is The Co-operative Group.
* Co-op Legal Services — is a legal services company. Established in 2006, its headquarters is in Manchester. Its parent company is The Co-operative Group.
* Co-operative Retail Trading Group — was the central buying group for co-operative retail societies in the United Kingdom. It operated from 1993 to 2015 when it was succeeded by Federal Retail Trading Services. Headquartered in Manchester, it was managed by The Co-operative Group.
* Cooper Car Company — is a manufacturer of racing cars, and sports cars. Established in 1947, its headquarters is in Surbiton, Surrey.
* COPA90 — is a football media company. Headquartered in London, it was founded in 2012. It was previously named Bigballs Media.
* Coral — is a gambling company. Established in 1926, its headquarters is in London. It is owned by Entain plc.
* Corbyn, Stacey & Company — was a pharmaceuticals, and retail chemists company that operated from 1726 to 1927. It was headquartered in London.
* Cornish Orchards Ltd — is a cider and juice producer based in Duloe, Cornwall. It was founded in 2003 by Andy Atkinson. Since 2019 it is owned by Asahi Group Holdings Ltd.
* Costa Coffee — is a multinational coffee-house chain. Established in 1971 in London, its headquarters is in Loudwater, Buckinghamshire. It was acquired by Whitbread in 1995, then by Coca-Cola in 2019.
* Countryside Partnerships plc — is a house building company headquartered in Brentwood, Essex. It was founded in 1958. In 2014 it was merged with Millgate. In 2022 its name was changed from Countryside Properties to Countryside Partnerships. In June 2022 it was acquired by Inclusive Capital Partners (In-Cap), and then in November it was acquired by Vistry Group plc.
* Coutts & Company — is a financial services company offering private banking and wealth management. Established in 1692, its headquarters is in London. Its parent company is NatWest Holdings which is owned by the NatWest Group. In 2018 its revenue was £681 million, with a net income of £268 million.
* Cove Energy plc — was an oil and gas exploration company that operated from 2009 to 2012. Its headquarters was in London. In 2012 it was acquired by PTT Exploration and Production.
* Coventry Building Society — is a building society offering mortgages, savings, and banking. It is headquartered in Coventry, West Midlands. It was founded in 1884 by Thomas Mason Daffern and became the Coventry Permanent Economic Building Society. It was later renamed the 'Coventry Economic' and then the 'Coventry Building Society'. Its acquisitions include: the Coventry & District Permanent Money Society in 1970, the Stourbridge, Lye & District Permanent Building Society in 1976, the Coventry Provident Building Society in 1983, and the Stroud & Swindon Building Society in 2010.
* Cow & Gate — was a manufacturer of dairy products, and babyfood. Established in 1882, its headquarters was in Guildford, Surrey. It was formerly known as West Surrey Dairy, and West Surrey Central Dairy Company Limited. In 1959 it merged with United Dairies to form Unigate which became Uniq plc and was acquired by Greencore. The Cow & Gate brand continues as a specialist baby food brand, owned by Danone.
* Cranswick plc — is a food producer and supplier of mainly meat products. It is headquartered in Hull. It was founded in 1974 by a number of Yorkshire farmers as a pig feed producer named Cranswick Mill. Diversifying into food production, it now breeds and rears pigs for its products. Its brands include Bodega, Weight Watchers, Woodall's, Simply Sausages, Red Lion Foods, and The Black Farmer. In 2022 its revenue was £2 billion, with a net income of £103 million.
* Crest Nicholson plc — is a house building company headquartered in Weybridge, Surrey. It was founded in 1963 by Bryan Skinner as Crest Homes. A number of unrelated acquisitions included the yacht maker Camper & Nicholsons leading to the renaming as Crest Nicholson. In 2022 its revenue was £913 million, with a net income of £26 million.
* Cricklewood Studios — was a film studios that operated from 1920 to 1938. Located in London, it was also known as Stoll Film Studios.
* Croda International plc — is a chemicals company that produces consumer and industrial products. Established in 1925, its headquarters is in Snaith, East Riding of Yorkshire. In 2022 its revenue was £2 billion, with a net income of £653 million.
* Crookes Healthcare — is a manufacturer of healthcare products and pharmaceuticals. Established in 1918 in London, its headquarters is in Lenton, Nottingham. It was formerly known as Crookes Collosols, and The Crookes Laboratories. In 1960 it was acquired by Arthur Guinness Son and Company, then in 1971 it was acquired by Boots, and, in 2006, it was acquired by Reckitt Benckiser.
* Crosby Homes — was a house building company headquartered in Solihull, West Midlands. It was founded in the mid 1920s by James Crosby. In 1986 the Crosby family accepted a management buyout. In 1991 it was acquired by Berkeley Group Holdings who, in 2003, sold it to its management. In 2005 it was acquired by Lendlease and renamed Crosby Lend Lease.
* Crosslé Car Company — is a racing car manufacturing company. Established in 1957, its headquarters is in Holywood, Northern Ireland.
* Crown Film Unit — was a government-owned film production company that operated from 1940 to 1952. It was formerly the GPO Film Unit.
* Cumberland Building Society (trading as The Cumberland) — is a building society offering mortgages, savings, banking, investments, and insurance. It is headquartered in Carlisle, Cumbria. It was founded in 1850 as a freehold land society named the Cumberland Co-operative Land and Benefit Building Society. Its subsidiaries include: Cumberland Estate Agents, and Borderway Finance.
* Currys plc — is a multinational electrical and telecommunications retail and services company. It was established in 2014 by the merger of Dixons Retail and Carphone Warehouse Group to form Dixons Carphone. Its headquarters is in London. In 2021 it was renamed Currys plc and the Currys brand also replaced the PC World, Team Knowhow and Carphone Warehouse brands. In 2022 its revenue was £10.1 billion, with a net income of £222 million.
* Curzon Cinemas — is a cinema chain, film distributor, and video on demand company. It was established in 1934. In 2019 it was acquired by Cohen Media Group. Its subsidiary is Curzon Film.

## D

* Darktrace plc — is a cybersecurity company headquartered in Cambridge, Cambridgeshire and San Francisco US. It was founded through cooperation between British intelligence agencies and Invoke Capital (owned by Mike Lynch). In 2022 it was floated on the London Stock Exchange. Its revenue for 2022 was $415 million, with a net income of $1.5 million.
* Darlington Building Society — is a building society offering mortgages, savings, and banking. Headquartered in Darlington, County Durham; it was founded in 1856.
* Dartington Crystal — is a manufacturer of crystal glassware using traditional glassblowing methods. As well as the Dartington Crystal brand, they also own and market the Caithness Glass and Royal Brierley Crystal brands. It is headquartered in Great Torrington, Devon. It was founded in 1967 by the Dartington Hall Trust to aid economic regeneration of the region. After several ownership changes, it was the subject of a management buyout in 2006.
* David Lloyd Leisure Ltd — is a company that operates a multinational chain of health clubs. Headquartered in Hatfield, Hertfordshire; it was founded in 1982 by David Lloyd. In 1995 it was acquired by Whitbread plc; then in 2007 by London & Regional Properties and Bank of Scotland who merged it with Next Generation Clubs. In 2013 it was acquired by TDR Capital.
* Davrian Developments — was an automobile manufacturing company that operated from 1967 to 1983. It was headquartered in Clapham, London, then Tregaron, Wales, and then Lampeter, Wales.
* Debenhams plc — was a company that operated a department store chain offering clothing, beauty products, household items, furniture, and formerly food. It also had instore restaurants, provided store card and credit card services, offered insurance products, and had a retail website. It was headquartered in London. It was founded in 1778 by William Clark as a London draper's store. In 1813 William Debenham became a partner and it was renamed 'Clark & Debenham'. Its product range was expanded and new shops opened. It was renamed: 'Debenham, Pooley & Smith', then 'Debenham, Son & Freebody' in the 1850s, then 'Debenham & Hewitt' in 1876. In 1905 it was incorporated as Debenhams Ltd. In 1927 it acquired the Drapery Trust, and in 1928 it was floated on the London Stock Exchange. By 1948 it had become the biggest department store chain in the UK. In 1986 it was acquired by the Burton Group. In 1998 it was demerged from the Burton Group, and in 2003 was acquired by Baroness Retail Ltd which was a consortium of investment companies and Debenhams management. In 2020 it went into administration and then liquidation so that it was defunct in 2021. In 2021 Boohoo acquired the Debenhams brand and website but not the stores. The franchised store chain of Debenhams in the Middle East which is owned by Alshaya Group is still trading.
* Dechra Pharmaceuticals plc — is a pharmaceutical company that develops and markets veterinary medicine products. It is headquartered in Northwich, Cheshire. It was founded in 1997 by a management buy-out from Lloyds Chemists. In 2023 it was acquired by EQT AB. In 2022 its revenue was £681 million, with a net income of £58 million.
* Deloitte — is a multinational professional services network. Headquartered in London; it was founded in 1845.
* Derwent Cumberland Pencil Company — was a pencil making company based in Keswick, Cumbria. It was founded in 1832 as Banks, Son & Co and renamed the Cumberland Pencil Company in 1916. In 1980 it was acquired by Rexel (now ACCO Brands) to become one of their brands. It produces pencils, paints, pastels, pens, and other art accessories.
* Derwent London plc — is a property investment and development company headquartered in London. It was established in 1984 by John Burns using Derwent Valley Holdings as a shell company. In 2007 it was merged with London Merchant Securities plc to form Derwent London. In 2022 its revenue was £248 million, with a net income loss of £280 million.
* Derwent Valley Water Board — was a state owned utility company supplying water that operated from 1899 to 1974. It was succeeded by Severn Trent Water Authority.
* Diageo plc — is a British multinational alcoholic beverages company. Established in 1997, its headquarters is in Park Royal, London. Its brands include Smirnoff, Johnnie Walker, Baileys, Guinness, Captain Morgan, Tanqueray, and Gordon's Gin. It was formed from the merger of Guinness Brewery and Grand Metropolitan. In 2022 its revenue was £22.4 billion, with a net income of £3.3 billion.
* DFS Furniture plc — is a company that operates a multinational furniture retail store chain and retail website, and is also a furniture manufacturer. It is headquartered in Doncaster, South Yorkshire. In 1969 Graham Kirkham founded Northern Upholstery. In 1983 Kirkham purchased DFS Furniture ltd which had been founded by the Hardy family, and renamed Northern Upholstery as 'DFS'. In 1993 it was floated on the London Stock Exchange before going private again in 2004. In 2010 it was acquired by Advent International. In 2015 it was floated on the London Stock Exchange again. Its acquisitions include: Sofa Workshop, Dwell, and Sofology.
* Dial-a-Phone — was a mobile phone retail company that operated from 1995 to 2014. Its headquarters was in Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire.
* Digital Cybercherries Ltd — is a video games developer company. It was established in 2015.
* Diploma plc — is a distributor of specialised technical products and services in the sectors of controls, seals, and life sciences. It is headquartered in London. It was founded in 1931 and was a distributor of electronic components, building products, and special steels. In 2022 its revenue was £1 billion, with a net income of £95 million.
* DiscoverIE Group plc - is an international designer and manufacturer of specialised electronic components for industrial use. It is headquartered in Guildford, Surrey. It was founded in 1986 by John Curry as Acal plc. In 2017 it was renamed discoverIE Group (short for discover Innovative Electronics). Its acquisitions include: BFI Opticals, Myrra Group, Trafo Holdings SA, and Foss As Fiberoptisk Systemsalg. In 2022 its revenue was £379 million, with a net income of £25 million.
* DNA Bioscience — was a biotechnology company offering a DNA paternity testing service. It operated from 2003 to 2005.
* DNA Films — is a film and television production company headquartered in London. It was founded in 1997 by Andrew Macdonald and Duncan Kenworthy. The television division with Walt Disney Television is named DNA TV Limited.
* DNEG — is a film visual effects, animation, and stereo conversion company. Established in 1998, its headquarters is in London. It was formerly known as Double Negative.
* Dobbies Garden Centres Ltd — is a company that operates a chain of garden centres, a number of which also include an in-store restaurant, and food hall. It also operates several tourist attractions such as Anker Wood. Headquartered in Lasswade, Midlothian, Scotland; it was founded in 1865 by James Dobbie as a seeds business. In 1997 it was floated on the London Stock Exchange. In 2007 it was acquired by Tesco plc who, in 2016, sold it to an investors group led by Midlothian Capital Partners, and Hattington Capital.
* Dolomite Bio — is a biotechnology company that creates products for high throughput single cell research. Established in 2016, its headquarters is in Royston, Hertfordshire. It is part of Blacktrace Holdings Ltd.
* Domino's Pizza Group plc — is a UK based master franchise of international pizza delivery chain Domino's. Headquartered in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, it was founded in 1985. In 2011 it acquired a majority stake in the master franchise for Domino's in Germany. In 2012 it acquired Domino's Pizza Switzerland AG but sold it in 2021. In 2022 its revenue was £600 million, with a net income of £81 million.
* Dorking Water Company — was a utility company supplying water that operated from 1869 to 1959. Headquartered in Dorking, Surrey, it became part of East Surrey Water Company.
* Douglas Equipment — was a company manufacturing support vehicles for airports, aircraft, and docks. Established in 1947, its headquarters was in Cheltenham. It was formerly known as FL Douglas. It was later purchased by Textron and survives as a brand.
* Dr. Martens plc — is a footwear and clothing manufacturer headquartered in Wollaston, Northamptonshire. It was first known as R. Griggs Group who, in 1960, had bought the UK patents rights for the boots. In 2013 R. Griggs was bought by Permira. In 2022 Dr. Martens plc had total revenue of £908 million, with a net income of £181 million.
* Dragon International Film Studios — is a film and TV studios. Established in 2006, it is located in Bridgend, Wales. It was acquired by Shadow Holdings in 2019,
* Drax Group plc — is a power generation company that operates some power stations including the Drax Power Station. It also runs a biomass production and distribution business named Drax Biomass. It owns electricity supplier Haven Power, and electricity and gas supplier Opus Energy. It is headquartered in Drax, North Yorkshire. Its roots begin with the construction and running of the Drax Power Station by the state owned Central Electricity Generating Board (CEGB). When the CEGB was privatised in 1990 it was transferred to National Power which sold it to the AES Corporation in 1999. In 2003 it was acquired by a number of financial institutions and in 2005 it became part of the Drax Group. In 2022 its revenue was £8.1 billion, with a net income of £82 million.
* Dreams Ltd — is a company that manufactures and sells beds, mattresses, bedroom furniture, and bed linen. It operates a retail store chain, and retail website. It is headquartered in Loudwater, Buckinghamshire. It was founded in 1985 by Mike Clare. In 2013 it was put into administration and then acquired by Sun European Partners who sold it to Tempur Sealy in 2021.
* Drimnin Distillery Company — is a producer of Scotch whisky that owns the Nc'nean distillery located in Drimnin, Morvern, Scotland. The distillery was founded in 2017 by Annabel Thomas.
* Drum Films — was a film and TV production company. See Rogue Films.
* Drummonds Bank — is a financial services company offering private banking and wealth management. Established in 1717, its headquarters is in London. It is a branch of the Royal Bank of Scotland.
* DS Smith plc — is a multinational manufacturer of fibre-based packaging with recycling, and paper manufacturing. It is headquartered in London. It was founded in 1940 by cousins David Gabriel Smith and David Solomon Smith. In 2022 its revenue was £7.2 billion, with net income of £315 million.
* Dudley Building Society — is a building society offering mortgages, savings, investments, loans, and insurance. Headquartered in Dudley, West Midlands; it was founded in 1858.
* Dunelm Group plc — is a home furnishings retailer that operates a chain of stores, and a webstore. It also manufactures curtains, blinds, and accessories. It is headquartered in Syston, Leicestershire. It was founded in 1979 by Bill Adderley and Jean Adderley as a market stall before the first store opened in 1984. Its acquisitions include: Bellbird, Dorma bed linen brand, and World Stores including Kiddicare. In 2022 its revenue was £1.5 billion, with a net income of £171 million.

## E

* Eagle-Lion Films — was a film production and distribution company that operated from 1945 to 1950.
* Ealing Studios — is a film and television production company with a number of studios for hire. It is based in Ealing, London.
* Earl Shilton Building Society (trading as esbs) — is a building society offering mortgages, savings, and insurance. Headquartered in Earl Shilton, Leicestershire; it was founded in 1857.
* Early Learning Centre — is a company that operates a multinational retail store chain and retail website offering toys for younger children, and baby equipment such as prams and cots. It also produces toys for its own brand. It is headquartered in Amersham, Buckinghamshire. It was founded in 1974 by David John Beale. It was acquired by John Menzies in 1985. In 2001 it was the subject of a management buyout. It was acquired by Eagle Retail Investments in 2004, then by Mothercare in 2007. In 2019 it was acquired by The Entertainer through its parent company Teal Group Holdings.
* East London Waterworks Company — was a utility company supplying water that operated from 1806 to 1904. Headquartered in London, it became part of the Metropolitan Water Board.
* East Surrey Water Company — was a utility company supplying water that operated from 1885 to 1996. It was formed by the merger of Caterham Springwater Company with Kenley Water Company. In 1996 it was merged with Sutton District Water to become Sutton and East Surrey Water.
* Eastern Electricity — was an energy company distributing and supplying electricity. It operated from 1948 to 1995. Headquartered in Wherstead Park, Suffolk, it was also known as Eastern Group. In 1995 it was acquired by Hanson plc.
* EasyGroup Holdings — is a multinational brand licensing company. Established in 1998, its headquarters is in Kensington, London.
* EasyJet plc — is an airline group company comprising EasyJet UK, EasyJet Switzerland and EasyJet Europe. Established in 1995, its headquarters is at London Luton Airport, Luton, Bedfordshire. Its 2022 revenue was £5.7 billion, with a net income loss of £169 million.
* EasyJet UK — is an airline company headquartered at London Luton Airport, Luton, Bedfordshire. Founded in 2017; its parent company is Easy Jet plc.
* EasyMoney — is the trading name of financial services company E-Money Capital Ltd.
* Ecology Building Society — is a building society offering mortgages, and savings. It is focused on environmental sustainability. Headquartered in Silsden, West Yorkshire; it was founded in 1981.
* Ecora Resources plc — is a mining finance company. Established in 1967, its headquarters is in London. It was formerly known as Diversified Bank Shares Limited, and until 2022 Anglo Pacific Group.
* Ecosse Films - is a film and television production company headquartered in London. It was founded in 1988 by Douglas Rae.
* Edinburgh Investment Trust plc — is an investment trust focused on investments in larger companies. It is headquartered in Edinburgh, Scotland. It was founded in 1899.
* The Edrington Group Ltd — is an international spirits company headquartered in Glasgow, Scotland. It produces Scotch whisky, American whisky, gin, and rum. It was founded in 1961 by the Robertson sisters (Elspeth, Agnes, and Ethel) who had inherited the Scotch whisky interests developed by their grandfather and father. Its brands include Highland Park, Glenrothes, Macallan, The Famous Grouse, Brugal rum, and others.
* E. H. Booth & Co Ltd (trading as Booths) — is a company that operates a supermarket chain in Northern England offering food, beverages, and household products including its own-brand products. It also has in-store restaurants. It is headquartered in Ribbleton, Lancashire. It was founded in 1847 by Edwin Henry Booth, and incorporated in 1896. In 1920 shares were offered to the employees, and in 2023 the company remains owned by the Booth family and employees.
* Electricity North West — is an electricity distribution network operator. Founded in 2007, its headquarters is in Warrington. It was formerly known as NORWEB. Its parent company is North West Electricity Networks.
* Elstree Film Studios Ltd — operates Elstree Studios which is a film and TV production centre that was established in 1925. It is located at Borehamwood, Hertfordshire. The company was founded in 2000 as Elstree Film and Television Studios Limited and is owned by Hertsmere Borough Council. It has a partnership with BBC Studioworks.
* EMI Films — is a film production and distribution company. It operated from 1969 to 1986. It also operated under the names: EMI-Elstree, MGM-EMI, EMI Film Distributors Ltd, Anglo-EMI Film Distributors Ltd, Thorn EMI Screen Entertainment, and Thorn EMI.
* E-Money Capital Ltd (trading as EasyMoney) — is a banking and financial services company offering investments, savings, and loans based on peer-to-peer lending in the property sector. Headquartered in London; it was founded in 2001 by Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou as a credit card company.
* Empire Cinemas Limited — is a cinema chain company, established in 2005.
* Endeavour Mining - is a multinational mining company headquartered in London. It was founded in 1988 as Endeavour Financial, a mining finance company. In the early 21st century it diversified into mining operations. In 2022 its total revenue was $2.5 billion, with a net income of $21.9 million.
* Energean plc — is an international oil and gas exploration and production company focused on natural gas. It is headquartered in London. It was founded in 2007 as Agean Energy SA, a Greek owned business. In 2010 it was renamed Energean Oil and Gas, and in 2020 renamed Energean plc. It owns the Karish gas field and the Tanin gas field. In 2022 its revenue was $732 million, with a net income of $17 million.
* Energie Group — is a company that operates two health club franchises: énergie Fitness Clubs, and énergie Fitness for Women. Headquartered in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire; it was founded in 2003 by Jan Spaticchia. Its parent company is Empowered Brands.
* English China Clays — was a company involved in mining china clay, stone quarries, building, and housing development. It operated from 1919 to 1999. Headquartered in St Austell, Cornwall, it was acquired by Imetal.
* Enlightenment Productions — is a film production and distribution company, headquartered in London. It was founded in 2001 by film producer Hanan Kattan and writer and director Shamim Sarif.
* Entain plc — is a multinational sports betting and gambling company headquartered in Douglas, Isle of Man. It was founded in 2004 in Luxembourg as Gaming VC Holdings. In 2010 it was renamed GVC Holdings, and in 2019 renamed as Entain plc. Its brands include bwin, Coral, Ladbrokes, partypoker, and Sportingbet. In 2022 its revenue was £4.2 billion, with a net income of £19.5 million.
* Eon Productions — is a film production company headquartered in London. It was founded in 1961 by film producers Albert R. Broccoli and Harry Saltzman in 1961.
* Ernst & Young — is a multinational professional services partnership that mainly provides accounting services such as assurance (which includes financial audit), tax, consulting and advisory services. It is headquartered in London. Established in 1989, it was formed from the merger of Ernst & Whinney and Arthur Young & Co.
* Eros Films — was a film production and distribution company that operated from 1947 to 1961. Headquartered in London; it was founded by brothers Philip, Sydney, and Michael Hyams.
* esbs — is the trading name of Earl Shilton Building Society.
* Essex and Suffolk Water — is a utility company supplying water. Established in 1994, it was formed from the merger of Essex Water Company and Suffolk Water Company. It is headquartered in Durham. Since 2000 it is part of Northumbrian Water.
* European Opportunities Trust plc — is an investment trust focused on investments in European companies. It was founded in 2000 and is managed by Devon Equity Management Ltd. It was formerly known as Jupiter European Opportunities Trust.
* Everyman Media Group plc — is a cinema chain company operating Everyman Cinemas. It is headquartered in London. It was founded in 2000 by Daniel Broch.
* Everyone Active — is the trading name of leisure centre company Sports and Leisure Management Ltd.
* Extra Energy — was a utility company supplying gas and electricity that operated from 2014 to 2018. Its headquarters was in Birmingham.

## F

* F & C Investment Trust plc — trading as Foreign & Colonial Investment Trust, is an investment trust headquartered in London. It was founded in 1868 by Philip Rose. In 1981 it created Graphite Capital, a private equity company. In 2022 its revenue was £96.2 million, with a net income of £72 million.
* FatFace Ltd — is a company that operates a retail store chain and retail website offering clothing and accessories. It also produces a number of brands. It was founded in 1988 by Tim Stade and Jules Leaver. In 2007 it was acquired by Bridgepoint Capital. In 2020 ownership passed to its lenders and then in 2023 it was acquired by Next plc.
* Farboud Limited — is the former name of automobile manufacturer Arash Motor Company.
* Farmcare Trading Ltd — is a farming and wholesale company. Established in 1896, it was formerly part of the Co-operative Wholesale Society, and then The Co-operative Group. It was also known as The Co-operative Farms. In 2014 it was sold to the Wellcome Trust.
* FDM Group — is an international recruitment company headquartered in London. It trains mainly graduates, returners to work, and ex-military personnel in its academies before sending them as consultants to its clients who are mainly banks and other financial institutions. It was founded in 1990 by Rod and Jacqueline Flavell as Flavell Divett. It focused on IT recruitment until it acquired Mountford Software in 1995. In 1998 it was renamed FDM Group. In 2022 its revenue was £330 million, with a net income of £34 million.
* Federal Retail Trading Services — is the central buying group for co-operative retail societies in the United Kingdom. Established in 2015, its headquarters is One Angel Square, Manchester. It is managed by The Co-operative Group. It was preceded by the Co-operative Retail Trading Group from 1993 to 2015.
* Ferguson plc — is a building materials company that is a distributor of plumbing and heating products. It was previously also a manufacturer of plumbing and heating products, and originally was a manufacturer of sheep shearing equipment. It was founded in 1887. It was formerly known as Wolseley plc. In 2021 it sold its UK operations and moved its main listing to the US.
* Fidelity China Special Situations plc — is an investment trust focused on long-term investments in Asia. Founded in 2010; it is managed by Fidelity International.
* Fidelity European Trust plc — is an investment trust focused on long-term investments in continental Europe. Founded in 1991, it was formerly named Fidelity European Values. It is managed by Fidelity International.
* Fidelity Special Values — is an investment trust focused on UK listed companies. Founded in 1994; it is managed by Fidelity International.
* Fifth Column Films — is a film production company, established in 2006.
* Film and Music Entertainment — is a film production company. It was founded in 2000 by Mike Downey and Sam Taylor in London.
* Film Producers Guild — was a collective of documentary film companies in England. Established in 1944, its headquarters was in London.
* Film Tank — is a film production company. Established in 2009, its headquarters is in Burnham-on-Sea, Somerset.
* Film4 Productions — is a film production and distribution company headquartered in London. It was founded in 1982 and is owned by Channel Four Television Corporation. Its previous names were: Channel Four Films, FilmFour International, and FilmFour.
* Fine Arts Films — was a film and TV production company specialising in animation. It was founded in 1955 by John David Wilson and operated until 1996.
* Fingercuff Productions — was a film production company specialising in short films and corporate promotional films. It was founded in 2000 by James Webber and Jamie Hooper. It is now defunct.
* Finsbury — was a public relations company. Established in 1994, its headquarters was in London. In January 2021, Finsbury, The Glover Park Group (GPG), and Hering Schuppener completed a merger to become Finsbury Glover Hering. In December 2021, Finsbury Glover Hering and Sard Verbinnen & Co. merged and rebranded as FGS Global,
* Finsbury Growth & Income Trust plc — is an investment trust focused on UK listed companies. It is headquartered in London. It was founded in 1926 and is managed by Lindsell Train Ltd.
* Firmus Energy — is an energy company supplying gas and electricity. Established circa 2005, its headquarters is in Antrim, Northern Ireland. It was formerly a subsidiary of Bord Gáis. In 2019 it was acquired by Equitix.
* First Choice Holidays Limited — is a travel company operating a travel agency, a tour operator, airlines, hotels, and cruise ships. Established in 1973, its headquarters is in Luton, Bedfordshire. It was formerly known as Owners Abroad. Its parent company is TUI AG.
* Fisons — was a multinational pharmaceuticals, scientific instruments, and horticultural chemicals company. It operated from 1843 to 1995. Headquartered in Ipswich, Suffolk, it was formerly known as Edward Packard and Company Ltd, and Packard and James Fison (Thetford) Limited. It was acquired by Rhône-Poulenc in 1995.
* Fitness First Ltd — is a company that operates a multinational health club chain. Headquartered in Manchester; it was founded in 1993 by Mike Balfour.
* Fletcher, Burrows and Company — was a coal mining, and cotton mills company, It operated from 1872 to 1929. It became part of Manchester Collieries.
* Flow Energy — was an energy company supplying gas and electricity, and boilers. Established in 1998, its headquarters was in Ipswich. It was originally part of Flowgroup plc. In 2018 it was acquired by Co-op Energy and became defunct in 2020.
* Focus Films — is a film production company headquartered in London. It was founded in 1982 by David Pupkewitz and Marsha Levin.
* FoolishPeople — is a theatre company, film production, and book publishing company. It was founded in 1989 by John Harrigan.
* Force Protection Europe — was a military vehicle manufacturing company. It was the European subsidiary of Force Protection Inc. Established in 2008, its headquarters was in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire. In 2011 it was acquired by General Dynamic.
* Fortnum & Mason plc — is a company that operates a luxury department store on Piccadilly, London, four other stores, and a retail website. It is known for offering high quality food products such as food hampers. Headquartered in London; it was founded in 1707 by William Fortnum and Hugh Mason. It is owned by Wittington Investments Ltd.
* Foster Yeoman — was a construction materials company involved in quarrying and supplying stone and asphalt materials. It also operated a rail haulage line. Headquartered in Marston Bigot, Somerset, it operated from 1923 to 2006 when it was merged into Aggregate Industries.
* Framestore — is a film visual effects company. Established in 1986, its headquarters is in London. It was merged with Computer Film Company.
* Frank PR — is a public relations company. Established in 2000, its headquarters is in London.
* Frasers Group plc — is a retail, sport, and intellectual property company headquartered in Shirebrook, Derbyshire. It owns the department store chain House of Fraser, Sports Direct, Jack Wills, Game, Flannels, USC, Lillywhites, Evans Cycles and others. Its intellectual property includes the brands Everlast, Lonsdale, Slazenger, and No Fear. It was established in 1982 by Mike Ashley as Mike Ashley Sports. Later it was renamed Sports Direct International plc and in 2019 renamed Frasers Group plc. In 2022 its revenue was £4.6 billion, with a net income of £256 million.
* Free Seed Films — is a film production company, established in 2012.
* Freestream — is the former name of Caparo Vehicle Technologies, an automotive and aerospace engineering company.
* French Connection — is a manufacturer, retailer, and wholesaler of women's and men's clothing, accessories, perfumes, watches, eye glasses, and homeware. It operates an international retail store chain for the French Connection brand, and 12 stores for the Toast brand. Its other brands are YMC, Great Plains, and formerly Nicole Farhi. It also has concessions in UK department stores, and supplies its products to other multi-brand retailers. Headquartered in London; it was founded in 1972 by Stephen Marks. In 1984 it was floated on the London Stock Exchange. In 2021 it was acquired by MIP Holdings Ltd.
* Freud Communications — is a public relations company. Established in 1985, its headquarters is in London.
* Fuel Juice Bars Ltd — is a company that operates a chain of juice bars offering fruit juices and smoothies. It is headquartered in Glasgow, Scotland, and was incorporated in 2004. It was previously named Skykirk Ltd.
* Fulhold Pharma — is a pharmaceuticals company. Established in 2014, its headquarters is in Macclesfield, Cheshire. It was formerly known as Fulhold Ltd.
* Fulton's Foods — was a company that operated a frozen food retail chain. It was headquartered in Darton, South Yorkshire. It was founded in 1960 by Jack Fulton as a poultry business. It diversified into frozen food in 1974 as Frozen Value Ltd. In 1997 it was the subject of a management buyout. In 2013 it was rebranded as Fulton's Foods. In 2020 it was acquired by Poundland who later closed all of the remaining stores.
* Funeral Services Ltd (trading as Co-op Funeralcare) — is a funeral services company providing funerals, burials, cremations, memorial masonry, and coffin production. Headquartered in Manchester, its parent company is The Co-operative Group.
* Furness Building Society — is a building society offering mortgages, savings, investments, loans, credit cards, and insurance. Headquartered in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria; it was founded in 1865. Its subsidiaries include: Furness Mortgage Services, and Furness Independent Financial Advisers.
* Furniture Village — is a company that operates a furniture retail store chain and retail website. It is headquartered in Slough, Berkshire. It was founded in 1989 by Peter Harrison and David Imrie with Cadogan Estates. In 2001 Cadogan Estates sold its stake to the company management.
* Fuse Universal — is an online education company. Established in 2008, its headquarters is in London.
* Future plc — is an international media company that has over 200 brands in magazine and internet publications, video production through Future Studios, and sales, marketing, and distribution through Marketforce. It is headquartered in Bath, Somerset. It was founded in 1985 by Chris Anderson as Future Publishing. Its brands include: TechRadar, PC Gamer, Tom's Guide, Tom's Hardware, Marie Claire, GamesRadar+, CinemaBlend, Android Central, IT Pro, Windows Central, How it Works, and many others. In 2022 its revenue was £825 million, with a net income of £122 million.

## G

* Gainsborough Pictures — was a film production company, 1924–1951. Established in London, it was also known as Gainsborough Studios.
* Gala Bingo — is a bingo company, established in 1991. It is owned by Entain.
* Gallagher Group — is a house building, civil engineering, quarrying, and property company. It is headquartered in Aylesford, Kent. It was founded in 1973 by Pat Gallagher as a civil engineering and groundworks contractor. Its services include: building, civil engineering, plant and transport, building materials, landfill and restoration, property development, and farming and estate management.
* Galliard Group Ltd — is a property development company that operates residential, hotel, and commercial projects. It is headquartered in Loughton, Essex. It was founded in 1992 by Stephen Conway. It has 3 divisions: Galliard Homes, Galliard Commercial, and Galliard Construction.
* Galpharm International — is a pharmaceuticals company producing non-prescription medicine. Established in 1982, its headquarters is in Dodworth, Barnsley. In 2008 it was acquired by Perrigo Group.
* Galvani Bioelectronics — is a bioelectronics research and development company. Established in 2016 by GlaxoSmithKline and Verily Life Sciences, its headquarters is in Stevenage, Hertfordshire.
* Games Workshop plc — is a manufacturer of miniature wargames headquartered in Lenton, Nottingham. Its best known products are Warhammer Age of Sigmar, Warhammer 40,000, as well as The Lord of the Rings/The Hobbit tabletop battle games. It also operates a chain of Games Workshop retail stores. It was founded in 1975 by John Peake, Ian Livingstone, and Steve Jackson as a manufacturer of wooden boards for games. It later became an importer of Dungeons & Dragons, and then published its own wargames and role-playing games. In 2022 its revenue was £386 million, with a net income of £128 million.
* Gamesys — is a software development and gaming company. Established in 2001, its headquarters is in London. In 2021 it was acquired by Bally's Corporation.
* Gas Light and Coke Company — was an energy company that produced and supplied coal gas and coke. It operated from 1812 to 1949. Headquartered in Westminster, London, it was also known as the Westminster Gas Light and Coke Company, and as Chartered Gas Light and Coke Company. In 1949 it was nationalised to become part of the North Thames Gas Board.
* Gate Studios — was a film studios company that operated from 1924 to circa 1954. It was situated in Borehamwood. It was previously named Whitehall Studios, Consolidated Studios, J.H. Studios, and M.P. Studios.
* Gateway Films — is a film production company headquartered in London. It was founded in 2009 by Terry Stone, Terry Byrne and Chris Howard.
* Gaumont British Picture Corporation — was a film company producing and distributing films, operating a cinema chain, and manufacturing film projection equipment. Established in 1898, its headquarters was in London. In 1941 it was acquired by The Rank Organisation.
* Gaymer Cider Company — was a producer of cider and other alcoholic drinks. It was established in the 18th century by Robert Gaymer. In 1961 it was acquired by Showerings which merged with Allied Breweries in 1968. In 1992 it was de-merged in a management buyout. In 1994 it was acquired by Matthew Clark plc which was acquired by Constellation Brands in 1998. In 2010 it was acquired by C&C Group plc who subsumed it into the parent company.
* G.B. Samuelson Productions — was a film production company that operated from 1914 to 1933. It was also known as British-Super Films, and Napoleon Films.
* GCM Resources — is a mining company with interests in open cast coal mining in Bangladesh. Established in 1998, its headquarters is in London. It was formerly known as Asia Energy plc, and as Global Coal Management.
* Gemfields — is a mining and jewellery company, established in 2007.
* Genuit Group plc — is a manufacturer of plastic piping systems for the residential, commercial, civil, and infrastructure sectors. It is headquartered in Edlington, South Yorkshire. It was founded in 1980 by Kevin McDonald and Geoff Harrison as Polypipe. In 1999 it was acquired by IMI plc who sold it to Castle Harlan in 2005. In 2007 it was the subject of a management buyout. In 2014 it was floated on the London Stock Exchange, and in 2021 it was renamed Genuit Group. In 2022 its revenue was £622 million, with a net income of £36 million.
* Genus plc — is a producer of genetics and other biotechnology products for cattle and pigs. Established in 1933, its headquarters is in Basingstoke, Hampshire. It was formerly the Breeding and Production Division of the Milk Marketing Board. In 2022 its revenue was £593 million, with a net income of £36 million.
* George Lister Engineering — was an automobile manufacturing company. See Lister Motor Company.
* George Wimpey — was a multinational construction company involved in housebuilding, civil and commercial construction, and formerly road surfacing. Established in 1880, its headquarters was in London. In 2007 it was merged with Taylor Woodrow to form Taylor Wimpey.
* Gibbs and Canning — was a terracotta manufacturing company specialising in architectural terracotta. It operated from 1847 to the 1950s. Its headquarters was in Glascote, Tamworth, Staffordshire.
* Ginetta Cars — is an automobile manufacturing company producing racing and sports cars. Established in 1958, its headquarters is in Garforth, Leeds.
* GK Films — is a British-American film and television production company. It is headquartered in Santa Monica, California, US. It was founded in 1990 by Graham King and was formerly known as Initial Entertainment Group.
* Glencore — is a Swiss / British multinational commodities trading, and mining company. Established in 1974, it was formerly known as Marc Rich + Co AG. Its headquarters is in Baar, Switzerland. In 2019 its revenue was $215 billion, with net income of $1.5 billion.
* Glenfiddich distillery — is a Scotch whisky producer based in Dufftown, Scotland. It was founded in 1886 by William Grant and is owned by William Grant & Sons.
* GlenWyvis distillery — is a producer of Scotch whisky and gin located in Dingwall, Scotland. It was founded in 2015 by John McKenzie.
* Globe-Trotter — is a manufacturer of luxury luggage. It is headquartered in Mayfair, London. It was founded in 1897 in Dresden, Germany, and was formerly named Stabilist. In 1987 production was moved to Waltham Forest, London.
* Glory Film Co. — is a film and television production company.
* Goldcrest Films — is a film company involved in film production, distribution, marketing, and financing. It was founded in 1977 by Jake Eberts as Goldcrest Films International. Its headquarters is in London.
* Golden Wonder — is a manufacturer of crisps and other snacks. It was founded in 1947 by William Alexander in Stockbridge, Edinburgh. It is now headquartered in North Lincolnshire. Since 2006 it is owned by Tayto (Northern Ireland) Limited.
* Good Relations — is a public relations company, headquartered in London.
* GPO Film Unit — was a film production company that operated from 1933 to 1940. It was a subdivision of the General Post Office. It later became Crown Film Unit.
* Grainger plc — is a residential property development and management company headquartered in Newcastle upon Tyne. It was founded in 1912 by the Dickinson family as the Grainger Trust. In 2022 its revenue was £279 million, with a net income of £229 million.
* Grain Media — is a film, television, and commercials production company. It was founded in 2006 by Jon Drever and Orlando von Einsiedel. It is headquartered in London.
* Grand Junction Waterworks Company — was a utility company supplying water that operated from 1811 to 1903. Headquartered in London, it became part of the Metropolitan Water Board.
* Grand Metropolitan — was a leisure, manufacturing, and property conglomerate. It operated hotels, holiday centres, catering, restaurants, brewing, dairies, bingo, and gambling concerns. It operated from 1934 to 1997. Headquartered in London, it was formerly known as Mount Royal Metropolitan Association (MRMA), and Grand Metropolitan Hotels. In 1997 it was merged with Guinness Brewery to form Diageo plc.
* Grantura Engineering — was a sister company of sports car manufacturer TVR.
* Grantura Plastics — was a sister company of TVR.
* Gray-Nicolls — is a cricket equipment and clothing manufacturing company. Established in 1855 as H.J. Gray and Sons, it merged with L.J. Nicolls in the early 1940s. Headquartered in Robertsbridge, East Sussex; its parent company is Grays International.
* Grays International — is a sports equipment manufacturing company, providing equipment for cricket, field hockey, rugby union and tennis. Headquartered in Robertsbridge, East Sussex; its brands are Gray-Nicolls, Gilbert Netball, Gilbert Rugby, Grays Hockey, and Grays of Cambridge.
* Graze — is a snack food company headquartered in London. Founded in 2008, it was purchased by Unilever plc in 2019.
* Great Marlborough Productions — is an alternative name of animation studio Hanna-Barbera Studios Europe.
* Great Portland Estates — is a property development and investment company. Most of its assets are in London where it is headquartered. It was founded in 1959 by Howard and Basil Samuel to invest in properties first developed by the Dukes of Portland. It was floated on the London Stock Exchange the same year. In 2007 it was converted into a real estate investment trust. In 2021 it was rebranded as GPE. In 2022 its revenue was £84 million, with a net income of £167 million.
* Great Productions — is a film production company, headquartered at Pinewood Studios.
* Great Eastern Railway (GER) — was a railway company with a main route from London Liverpool Street to Norwich, and routes across East Anglia, Essex and parts of suburban London. It was founded in 1862 by the amalgamation of Eastern Counties Railway, Eastern Union Railway, and a number of smaller railway companies. It manufactured most of its locomotives and rolling stock at Stratford Works. It also ran steamboat services, ferries, and buses. It owned 5 hotels and founded Stratford Market. In 1923 it was amalgamated into the London and North Eastern Railway.
* Great Western Railway (GWR) — was a British railway company that connected London with the south west, west, and West Midlands of England, and most of Wales. It was headquartered at Paddington station, London. It was founded in 1833, was enabled by an Act of Parliament in 1835, and ran its first trains in 1838. The routes were engineered by Isambard Kingdom Brunel. In 1921 the Railways Act amalgamated it with the remaining independent railways in its area. Many of its locomotives, carriages, and wagons were built in the company's workshops in Swindon. It also operated ferry services to Ireland and the Channel Islands, operated road motor services, was a part of the Railway Air Services, and owned ships, canals, docks, and hotels. In 1947 it was nationalised and became the Western Region of British Railways.
* Great Yarmouth Waterworks Company — was a utility company (water supply) from 1853 to 1962. In 1962 it merged with the Lowestoft Water Company to form the East Anglian Water Company.
* Greenpark Productions – is a documentary film production company. Established in 1938 in Polperro, its headquarters is in London.
* Greggs plc — is a bakery shop chain headquartered in Quorum Business Park, North Tyneside. It was founded in 1939 by John Gregg. In 2022 its revenue was £1.5 billion, with a net income of £120 million.
* Greybull Capital — is a private investment company (purchasing and divesting distressed companies). Established in 2010, its headquarters is in Knightsbridge, London.
* Grinnall Specialist Cars — is an automobile and motorcycle manufacturing company, established in Bewdley, Worcestershire.
* Grosvenor Casinos — is a gambling company. Established in 1970, its headquarters is in Maidenhead. Its parent company is The Rank Group.
* Group Lotus - is a manufacturing company (production of sports and racing cars, and engineering development). See Lotus Cars.
* GSK plc — is a British multinational pharmaceutical company (pharmaceuticals, vaccines, oral healthcare, nutritional products, over the counter medicine). It was established in 2000 by a merger of Glaxo Wellcome and SmithKline Beecham. Headquartered in Brentford, London, it has one subsidiary. In 2022 its revenue was £29.3 billion, with a net income of £15.6 billion.
* GTM Cars — is a kit car manufacturing company. Established in 1967, its headquarters is in Kingswinford, Dudley.
* Gü – is a dessert manufacturing company that was founded by James Averdieck in 2003 in London. In 2010 Gü was sold to Noble Foods.
* Gus Robinson Developments Ltd — is a house building and construction company. It is headquartered in Hartlepool, County Durham. It was founded in 1976 by Gus Robinson. It specialises in social housing as well as general construction.
* GW Pharmaceuticals — is a biopharmaceutical medicines production company. Established in 1998, its headquarters is in Cambridge, Cambridgeshire.

## H

* Habitat — is a household furnishings retail company. Established in 1964, its headquarters is in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire. Its parent company is Sainsbury's.
* Hafren Dyfrdwy — is a utility company (water supply). Established in 1997, its headquarters is in Packsaddle, Rhostyllen, Wrexham, Wales. It was formed from the merger of Wrexham Water and Chester Waterworks Company, and was formerly known as Dee Valley Water. Its parent company is Severn Trent.
* Haleon — is a multinational consumer healthcare company headquartered in Weybridge, Surrey. It was established in 2022 as a corporate spin-off from GSK. It has a large number of brands including: Advil, Beecham, Biotene, Centrum, Eno, Nicorette, Niquitin, Panodol, Parodontax, Sensodyne, Solpadeine, Synthol, Tums, and others. In 2022 its revenue was £10.8 billion, with a net income of £1.1 billion.
* HAL Films — was a film production company from 1997 to 2012. Its headquarters was in London.
* Halfords — is a retail chain company offering motoring products, cycling products, and electric bikes and scooters. It also provides vehicle servicing, MOT, maintenance and repairs through its subsidiary Halfords Autocentre. It also owns bike manufacturer Boardman Bikes. It is headquartered in Redditch, Worcestershire. Frederick Rushbrooke founded it in 1892 as a wholesale ironmongery. In 1902 it began selling cycling products. It was acquired by Burmah Oil in 1965; Ward White Group in 1983; the Boots Group in 1989; and CVC Capital Partners in 2003. It was floated on the London Stock Exchange in 2004.
* Halifax — is a financial services company (banking and insurance). It was formerly a building society, and estate agents. Established in 1853, its headquarters is in Halifax, West Yorkshire. It was formerly known as the Halifax Permanent Benefit Building and Investment Society, and HBOS. From 2007 it was subsumed by the Bank of Scotland but continued as a brand name.
* Halma — is a British multinational group of safety equipment companies that make products for hazard detection and life protection. It is headquartered in Amersham, Buckinghamshire. It was founded in 1894 in Ceylon as the Nahalma Tea Estate Company Ltd and became the Nahalma Rubber Estate Company Ltd. After its tea and rubber plantations were nationalised or divested it became an investment and industrial holding company as Halma Investments Ltd. Later it became a manufacturer of health and safety products, and environmental products. In 2022 its revenue was £1.5 billion, with a net income of £244 million.
* Hamleys is a company that operates a multinational chain of toy stores, and a retail website. It has 11 stores in the UK including its flagship store on Regent Street, London which has 7 floors of sales space. It also has more than 90 international franchises. Headquartered in London; it was founded in 1760 by William Hamley as a toy store named 'Noah's Ark' on High Holborn. There have been many previous owners, including: Lines Bros, Debenhams, Burton Group, Harris Queensway, Baugur Group, Landsbanki, Groupe Ludendo, and C.Banner. Since 2019 it is owned by Indian company Reliance Retail which is part of Reliance Industries.
* Hammer & Tongs — is a film and video production company.
* Hammer Film Productions — is a film and television production company. Established in 1934, its headquarters is in London.
* HandMade Films — is a film production and distribution company. Established in 1978, its headquarters is in London.
* Hanley Economic Building Society — is a building society offering mortgages, savings, investments, loans, and insurance. It is headquartered in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire. It was founded in 1854 by Earl Granville as The Staffordshire Potteries Economic Permanent Benefit Building Society. In 1930 it was renamed the 'Hanley Economic Building Society'.
* Hanna-Barbera Studios Europe - is an animation studio headquartered in London. Founded in 2007, it is owned by the Warner Bros. Television Studios UK division of Warner Bros. International Television Production, a subsidiary of Warner Bros. Discovery International. It is also known as Great Marlborough Productions, and previously known as Cartoon Network Studios Europe and Cartoon Network Development Studio Europe.
* Harbour Energy — is an oil and gas company headquartered in Edinburgh, Scotland. It was founded in 2014 by Noble Group and EIG Global Energy Partners. In 2021 the companies Chrysaor Holdings and Premier Oil were merged and absorbed into Harbour Energy. In 2022 its revenue was $5.3 billion, with a net income of $8.2 million.
* Hargreaves Lansdown — is a financial services company based in Bristol that sells funds, shares, and related products to retail investors. It was founded in 1981 by Peter Hargreaves and Stephen Lansdown. In 2022 its revenue was £583 million, with a net income of £215 million.
* Harpenden Building Society — is a building society offering mortgages, savings, and investments. Headquartered in Harpenden, Hertfordshire; it was founded in 1953.
* Harrison Ainslie — was an iron production, and mining company from 1893 to 1913. It became the Charcoal Iron Company.
* Harrods — is a company that operates the luxury department store Harrods located on Brompton Road, Knightsbridge, London. The store has 330 departments offering products such as clothing, food and drink, electronics, jewellery, sports gear, bridal dress, toys, books, health and beauty items, homeware, stationery, home appliances, furniture, pet accessories, and more. It also has 23 restaurants, a watch repair service, tailor, pharmacy, beauty spa and salon, and a barbers shop. It had operated Harrods Bank from 1893 to 2017. It was founded in 1849 by Charles Henry Harrod as a small store which was expanded by his son Charles Digby Harrod. In 1883 the store was destroyed by fire and then rebuilt on the same site. In 1889 it was floated on the London Stock Exchange and renamed 'Harrods Stores Ltd'. It was acquired by House of Fraser in 1959 and then by the Fayed brothers in 1985. In 2010 it was acquired by Qatar Holdings, the sovereign wealth fund of Qatar. Its subsidiaries include estate agents Harrods Estates, business and corporate aviation services provider Harrods Aviation, and aircraft charter business Air Harrods.
* Harry Ramsden's — is a company that operates a fast food restaurant and takeaway chain offering fish and chips and other themed dishes. It is headquartered in London. It was founded in 1928 by Harry Ramsden. In 1988 it was acquired by Merryweathers who expanded the business from one restaurant to a multinational chain. In 1989 it was floated on the London Stock Exchange. In 1999 it was acquired by Granada who merged with Compass in 2000. In 2006 it was acquired by EQT AB as part of the SSP division. In 2010 it was acquired by Bopara Ventures who sold it to Deep Blue Restaurants in 2019.
* Hartlepool Water — is a utility company (water supply). Formerly, it was also a gas supplier. Established in 1846, its headquarters is in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire. It was formerly known as Hartlepool Gas and Water Company. Since 1997 it is owned by Anglian Water.
* Hawk Films — is a film production company established in 1964.
* Haydock Collieries — is a coal mining company, 1899–1947. It became part of the National Coal Board.
* Hays Travel — is a company that operates an independent travel agent chain, and retail website. It is headquartered in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear. It was founded in 1980 by John Hays and is now owned and led by his widow Dame Irene Hays. In 2019 it acquired over 550 stores from Thomas Cook Group which was in liquidation. In 2020 it acquired Tailor Made Travel. Its brands include Hays Cruise, and Hays Faraway.
* Headline Pictures — is a film and television production company. Established in 2005, its headquarters is in London.
* Healey's Cornish Cyder Farm — is a producer of cider, brandy, whisky, gin, eau de vie, fruit wines, and apple juice. It also produces a variety of foodstuffs. It is located in Penhallow, Cornwall. It was established in 1986 by David and Kay Healey and remains a family-run business. Its brands include Cornish Rattler Cyder, and Pear Rattler.
* Healthcare at Home — is a pharmaceuticals supply company. Established in 1992, its headquarters is in Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire.
* Helkon SK — is a former name of Lionsgate UK, a film production and distribution company.
* Heidelberg Materials UK — is a building materials company. It was formerly a conglomerate including Imperial Tobacco, The Energy Group, Millennium Chemicals and others. It was also an asset trader, buying, restructuring and selling companies. Established in 1964, its headquarters is in London. It was formerly known as Hanson Trust. Its parent company is Heidelberg Cement.
* Hemdale Film Corporation — was a film production and distribution company from 1967 to 1995. Headquartered in London, it was later known as Hemdale Communications.
* Henderson Smaller Companies Investment Trust — is an investment trust focused on investments in smaller companies. It was founded in 1955.
* Henleys Clothing — was a men and womenswear company (clothes and shoes) from 1996 to 2011. Its headquarters was in Manchester.
* Henry Boot — is a property development, construction, and property management company. It is headquartered in Sheffield, South Yorkshire. It was founded in 1886 by Henry Boot. It expanded significantly during WWI with military and civil engineering contracts. After the war it was floated on the London Stock Exchange and became a major house builder in both the public and private sectors. After WWII it was focused on general construction including in Europe. In 1965 it founded the Banner Building Society which was sold in 1982. The house building division was sold to Wilson Bowden in 2003. Its remaining operations are: Henry Boot Developments (property development), Hallam Land Management (land and planning promotion), Henry Boot Construction (public and private sectors), Banner Plant Ltd (plant hire), Stonebridge Homes Ltd (housing), and Road Link (maintaining the A69). In 2021 its total revenue was £230 million, with a net income of £30 million.
* Henry's House — is a public relations company. Established in 1998, its headquarters is in London.
* Herald Investment Trust — is an investment trust established in 1994.
* Heyday Films — is a film production company. Established in 1996, its headquarters is in London.
* Hg Capital Trust — is an investment trust focused on unquoted investments. It was founded in 1989 and is managed by Hg.
* HICL Infrastructure Company — is an investment trust company (infrastructure investments). It was established in 2006.
* Hi-Gen Power — was an energy company (alternative energy). Established in 2009, it is now defunct. Its headquarters was in London.
* Hikma Pharmaceuticals — is a British multinational company that manufactures pharmaceutical products. It is headquartered in London. It was founded in 1978 by Samih Darwazah in Amman, Jordan. Its acquisitions include Instituto Biochimico Pavese Pharma, Jazeera Pharmaceutical Industries, APM, Alkan Pharma, Thymoorgan, Ribosepharm, Multi-Source Injectables, Promopharm, and others. In 2011 it founded the Al Dar Al Arabia Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Company in Algeria. In 2022 its revenue was $2.5 billion, with a net income of $191 million.
* Hill & Smith — is a company that designs, manufactures and supplies products for the construction and infrastructure industries. It is headquartered in Solihull, West Midlands. It was founded in 1824 by Edward Hill as Hills Ironworks at Brierley Hill. Henry Smith joined the business which became Hill & Smith. Its acquisitions include Techspan Systems, Expamet, Hull Galvanising, ATG Access, National Signal Inc, and Widnes Galvanising. In 2022 its revenue was £732 million, with a net income of £56 million.
* Hilton Food Group — is a food processing and packaging company headquartered in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire. It was founded in 1994 to operate a meat packing factory. In 2017 it acquired Seachill, a supplier of chilled and frozen salmon. In 2022 its revenue was £3.8 billion, with a net income of £19 million.
* Hinckley and Rugby Building Society — is a building society offering mortgages, and savings. It is headquartered in Hinckley, Leicestershire. It was founded in 1983 by the merger of the Hinckley Building Society (founded in 1865) with the Rugby Provident Building Society (founded in 1861).
* Hiscox - is an Anglo–Bermudian insurance company headquartered in Hamilton, Bermuda. It is an underwriter at Lloyd's of London, and originated as part of the Roberts agency in 1901. In 2022 its revenue was £2.7 billion, with a net income of £41.7 million.
* Hochschild Mining — is a silver and gold mining company. Established in 1911, its headquarters is in London. In 2019 its revenue was $755 million, with total income of $41 million.
* Hodge Bank — is the trading name of Julian Hodge Bank Ltd.
* Holland & Barrett International (trading as Holland & Barrett) — is a company that operates a multinational retail store chain and retail website offering health foods, vitamins, supplements, homeopathy products, vegetarian and vegan foods, and beauty products. It also produces products for its own brand. It is headquartered in Nuneaton, Warwickshire. It was founded in 1870 by Alfred Slapps Barrett and Major William Holland as a groceries and clothes business. It became a health products retailer in the 1970s when it was acquired by Booker. It was acquired by Lloyds Pharmacy in 1992; NBTY in 1997; and The Carlyle Group in 2010. Then in 2010 it was acquired by L1 Retail which is part of LetterOne.
* Home Bargains — is a division of TJ Morris that operates a retail discount store chain offering grocery and general merchandise. It is headquartered in Liverpool. It was founded in 1976 by Tom Morris as Home Bargain. In 1995 it was renamed Home Bargains.
* Horizon Discovery — is a biotechnology company (gene editing, producing genetically modified cells and organisms). Established in 2005, its headquarters is in Cambridge.
* Hotel Chocolat — is a company that produces chocolate and other cocoa related products to sell in its multinational chain of stores, cafes, restaurants, outlets, and a retail website. It also has a cocoa farm, and a hotel. It is headquartered in Royston, Hertfordshire. It was founded in 1993 by Angus Thirlwell and Peter Harris as Chocolate Express. In 2003 it was rebranded as Hotel Chocolat. In 2016 it was floated on the London Stock Exchange. In 2023 it was acquired by Mars Inc..
* Hovis – is a limited company that produces flour and bread and licenses the production of Hovis Biscuits. It was founded in Stoke-on-Trent before mass production began in Macclesfield, Cheshire in 1886. It became part of Rank Hovis McDougall in 1962, was purchased by Premier Foods in 2007 and is now owned by Endless LLP. It is now headquartered in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire.
* Howdens Joinery — is the multinational parent company of the Howdens Joinery business which is a supplier of kitchens, bathroom cabinets, and joinery products to the building trade. It is headquartered in London. It was founded in 1995 by Matthew Ingle as a business unit within MFI Group. In 2006 the name of MFI was changed to Galiform, and in 2010 it was changed to Howden Joinery Group. It trades in Belgium and France as Howdens Cuisines. In 2022 its revenue was £2.3 billion, with a net income of £374 million.
* H. P. Bulmer — is a cider producer headquartered in London. It was founded in 1887 in Hereford by Henry Percival Bulmer. Since 2008 it is owned by Heineken International. Its brands include Bulmers, Strongbow, Scrumpy Jack, Woodpecker Cider, and others.
* H. Samuel — is a company that operates a jewellery retail store chain and retail website. It is headquartered in Borehamwood, Hertfordshire. Its roots are in a mid 1800s clockmaking and silversmith business run by Moses and Lewis Samuel in Liverpool. Harriet Samuel, Moses' daughter-in-law, took over the business and began its expansion. In 1948 it was floated on the London Stock Exchange. In 1984 it acquired the James Walker Group. In 1986 it was acquired by Ratners Jewellers which rebranded as the Signet Group in 1992 with the remaining Ratners stores rebranded as H.Samuel.
* HTK. — is a software as a service company operating phone messaging and voice response services. It is headquartered in Ipswich, Suffolk. It was founded in 1996 by Marlon Bowser and Adrian Gregory.
* Hulton Colliery Company — was a coal mining company. Established in 1858, it is now defunct.
* Huntsworth — is a public relations company. Established in 1974, its headquarters is in London.
* Hurricane Films — is a film production company. Established in 2000, its headquarters is in Liverpool.
* H. Weston & Sons - is a producer of cider and perry based in Much Marcle, Herefordshire. It was founded in 1880 by Henry Weston and is still owned and run by the Weston family. Its brands include Old Rosie, Henry Westons Vintage, Stowford Press, and others.

## I

* IAG Cargo — is a cargo airline company. Established in 2011, it was formed from the merger of British Airways World Cargo and Iberia Cargo. Its parent company is International Airlines Group.
* Iceland Foods Ltd (trading as Iceland) — is a company that operates a supermarket chain and retail website offering mainly frozen foods as well as non-frozen grocery products. It also produces own brand products, and operates another store chain called Food Warehouse. Previously it also sold kitchen appliances. It is headquartered in Deeside, Wales. It was founded in 1970 by Sir Malcolm Walker and Peter Hinchcliffe. It was floated on the London Stock Exchange in 1984. In 2000 it was merged with Booker plc to form The Big Food Group (Iceland's holding company) which was acquired by Baugur Group in 2005. Baugur Group collapsed in 2009 leaving Iceland owned by Icelandic banks Landsbanki and Glitnir until a consortium including Malcolm Walker and Graham Kirkham bought their stake. Its acquisitions include: St. Catherine's Freezer Centres, Orchard Frozen Foods, and Bejam. In 2022 its revenue was £3.5 billion, with a net income loss of £3.6 million.
* ICG Enterprise Trust plc — is an investment trust focused on investments in unquoted companies. Established in 1981, it is headquartered in London. It was formerly the Graphite Enterprise Trust under the management of Graphite Capital. In 2016 Intermediate Capital Group took over the management of the trust which was renamed the ICG Enterprise Trust.
* Ideal Film Company (aka Ideal Films) — was a film production and distribution company from 1911 to 1934. Its headquarters was in London.
* Ideal Homes — was a house building company. It was founded in 1929 by Leo Meyer and Philip Shepherd as New Ideal Homesteads. In 1934 it was floated on the London Stock Exchange under the new holding company Ideal Building & Land Development. It expanded during the 1930s, and during WWII fulfilled government contracts. After the war it focused on the purchase and sale of tenanted properties. Also, it built public housing for local authorities through its subsidiary Carlton Contractors. In the 1950s it moved back to private house building. In 1967 it was acquired by Trafalgar House. Its own acquisitions included Comben Homes and Broseley Estates Limited. In 1996 Ideal Homes was acquired by Persimmon plc.
* IG Group — is a financial services company. Established in 1974, its headquarters is in London. In 2019 its revenue was £488 million, with net income of £158 million.
* IMI plc — is an engineering company headquartered in Birmingham. Its 3 business divisions are critical engineering, precision engineering, and hydronic engineering. It was founded in 1862 by George Kynoch as a percussion cap factory trading as Kynoch. The business was diversified into manufacturing a range of products until in the early 20th century it had an expertise in metallurgy. After World War I it merged with Nobel Enterprises. In 1926 it acquired Eley Brothers, an ammunitions manufacturer. Then named Nobel Explosives, it was merged with 3 other companies to form Imperial Chemical Industries (ICI) where it operated as ICI Metals. In 1962 it was renamed Imperial Metal Industries Ltd (IMI). In 1978 it became fully independent from ICI. In 2022 its revenue was £2 billion, with a net income of £226 million.
* Immunocore — is a biotechnology company (biological drugs). Established in 2008, its headquarters is in Oxford.
* Impax Environmental Markets plc — is an investment trust focused on environmental companies in North America, Europe, and Asia. It was founded in 2002.
* Imperial Brands - is a multinational tobacco company also involved in logistics through one of its 5 subsidiaries Logista. It was established in 1901 through the amalgamation of 13 separate tobacco companies to form Imperial Tobacco Group. Headquartered in Bristol, its 2020 revenue was £32.5 billion, with a net income of £1.5 billion.
* Imperial Chemical Industries (ICI) — is a chemicals manufacturing company (paints, pharmaceuticals, polymers, food ingredients, electronic materials, agrochemicals, fabrics, motorcycles), 1926–2008. Headquartered in London, in 2008 it was acquired by Akzo Nobel.
* Inchcape plc — is a British multinational automotive distribution, retail, and services company headquartered in London. It was founded in 1847 by William Mackinnon and Robert Mackenzie as the Mackinnon Mackenzie Company based in Calcutta, India. Later restructured as Inchcape plc, it had operations in shipping, timber, business machines, automotive distribution and services, product testing, insurance brokerage, and bottling. From the 1980s it divested all operations except its automotive divisions. In 2022 its revenue was £8.1 billion, with a net income of –£6.2 million.
* Inchcape Shipping Services — is a British multinational ports and marine management company headquartered in London. It was founded in 1947 as part of the Mackinnon Mackenzie Company. It is now owned by Epiris LLP.
* Independent Film Distribution — was a film distribution company from 1950 to 1959.
* Ineos Group Ltd — is a British multinational conglomerate producing chemical substances, petrochemicals, and plastics. It also has interests in fuel, energy, oil distribution, packaging and food, construction, automobiles, pharmaceuticals, textiles, and professional sports. It consists of about 20 standalone business units; each with its own board. Headquartered in London; it was founded in 1998 by Sir Jim Ratcliffe. It has made many acquisitions of companies and divisions such as the chemical businesses of BP, ICI, and BASF. Its joint ventures include Petroineos with PetroChina, and PQ Corporation. It also owns INEOS Styrolution.
* Initial Entertainment Group - was a film and television production company. See GK Films.
* Informa plc — is a publishing, business intelligence, and exhibitions company headquartered in London. It owns a number of brands including CRC Press, Fan Expo HQ, Game Developers Conference, Routledge, and Taylor & Francis. In 2018 it acquired UBM plc. It was founded in 1998 by the merger of IBC Group plc with LLP Group plc. In 2022 its revenue was £2.2 billion, with a net income of £1.6 billion.
* IntegraFin Holdings plc — is a finance company that owns Integral Financial Arrangements Ltd which operates the Transact investment platform. Headquartered in London; it was founded in 1990 by Mike Howard. In 2022 its revenue was £133 million, with a net income of £44 million.
* Intercontinental Hotel Group plc — is a British multinational hospitality company managing, franchising, or owning hotels and resorts. It is headquartered in Windsor, Berkshire. It was founded in 2003 from a split of Six Continents Hotels plc, having originated as a part of Bass Charrington. In 2022 its revenue was $3.8 billion, with a net income of $376 million.
* Intermediate Capital Group (iCG) - is a private equity investment firm whose activities include financial services and asset management. Established in 1989, its headquarters is in London. As of 2020 it has €45 billion of assets under management. Its 2020 revenue was £413 million, with a net income of £110.6 million.
* International Airlines Group (AIG; its full name is International Consolidated Airlines Group) — is an Anglo-Spanish multinational airlines holding company. Established in 2011, its headquarters are in London and Madrid, Spain. It was formed from the merger of British Airways and Iberia. In 2019 its revenue was £25.5 billion, with a net income of £1.7 billion.
* International Game Technology — is a gaming company. Established in 1990, its headquarters is in London.
* Intertek Group plc — is a British multinational assurance, inspection, testing, and certification company headquartered in London. It was formerly part of Inchcape plc as Inchcape Testing Services. In 2022 its revenue was £3.1 billion, with a net income of £306 million.
* Inver House Distillers Ltd - is a producer of Scotch whisky headquartered in Airdrie, Scotland. It is a subsidiary of ThaiBev. It was established in 1964 as a subsidiary of US company Publicker Industries. It owns 5 distilleries: Balblair distillery, Balmenach distillery, Knockdhu distillery, Old Pulteney distillery, and Speyburn distillery.
* Investec plc — is an Anglo-South African international financial services company offering banking and wealth management services. It is headquartered in London and Sandton, South Africa. It is dual listed on the London Stock Exchange and the Johannesburg Stock Exchange. The dual listed company's structure has Investec plc as the holding company for the majority of the group's non-South African operations, and Investec Ltd as the holding company for the majority of the Group's South African operations. It was founded in 1974 by Larry Nestadt, Errol Grolman, and Ian Kantor in Johannesburg. In 1988 Investec Bank Ltd was restructured into Investec Group Ltd. In 1992 it entered the UK market with the acquisition of Allied Trust Bank Ltd. Its later acquisitions include Guinness Mahon, Hambros plc, Kensington Group plc, Experien (pty) Ltd, NCB, and Amicus Commercial Finance. In 2020 the asset management business was demerged and listed as Ninety One plc. In 2023 Rathbones acquired Investec's wealth and investment businesses in the UK, and Channel Islands. In 2022 Investec's revenue was £1.9 billion, with a net income of £556 million.
* Isle of Arran Distillers Ltd — is a producer of Scotch whisky that owns the Arran distillery located in Lochranza, Isle of Arran, Scotland. The distillery was founded in 1995 by Harold Currie.
* Isle of Man Film — is a film production and finance company. Established in 1995, its headquarters is in the Isle of Man.
* ITC Entertainment (aka Incorporated Television Company (ITC)) - was a television and film production and distribution company from 1954 to 1998. Its headquarters was in London.
* ITH Pharma — is a pharmaceuticals company (intravenous medication). Established in 2008, its headquarters is in London.
* Itsu — is a chain of East Asian inspired fast food shops and restaurants, and is a grocery retail company. It is headquartered in London. It was founded in 1997 by Julian Metcalfe. From 2010 it was part of Metcalfe's Food Company until it was split out as a separate company in 2015.
* IXICO — is a biotechnology (data analytics for clinical research). Established in 2004, its headquarters is in London.

## J

* J & G Grant Ltd — is a Scotch whisky producer that owns the Glenfarclas distillery in Ballindalloch, Scotland. The distillery dates from before 1791 and since 1865 it has been owned by John Grant and his descendants.
* Jacobs & Turner Ltd (trading as Trespass) — is a clothing company that produces the Trespass brand of sportwear and outdoor clothing that specialises in skiwear, water-proof jackets, fleece, walking boots, camping goods, and accessories. It operates a multinational clothing retail chain, and a retail website. It is headquartered in Glasgow, Scotland. It was founded in 1938 as a producer of technical workwear. In 1984 it introduced the Trespass brand and moved into producing and selling sportswear and outdoor clothing.
* JAG Communications — was a mobile phones retail company from 1989 to 2010. It was headquartered at Perranporth, Cornwall.
* James Hay Partnership — is a financial services company (pension products, investment). Established in 1979, its headquarters is in Salisbury, Wiltshire. In 1990 it became part of Abbey National and then Santander UK before being sold to the IFG Group plc in 2010.
* James Woolley, Sons and Co. — was a manufacturing company (pharmaceuticals, surgical equipment, trusses, talcum powder, cordials, photographic equipment), from 1833 to 1962. Headquartered in Manchester, in 1962 it was acquired by British Drug Houses.
* JBA Motors — was a manufacturing company (automobile production) from 1982 to 2007. Established in Norwich, Norfolk, it was later headquartered in Standish, Greater Manchester. It was formerly known as JBA Engineering.
* J Barbour & Sons Ltd — is a private company that manufactures waxed cotton jackets, other clothing, footwear, and accessories. It is headquartered in Simonside, South Shields. It was founded in 1894 by J Barbour as an importer of oil cloth.
* J.C. Bamford Excavators Ltd (trading as JCB) — is a multinational manufacturer of equipment for construction, agriculture, waste handling, and demolition. Its products include: mechanical backhoes, excavators, forklift trucks, dumpsters, loaders, tractors, diesel engines, diesel generators, axles and gearboxes. It is headquartered in Rocester, Staffordshire. It was founded in 1945 by Joseph Cyril Bamford as Joseph Cyril Bamford Excavators Ltd. Its subsidiaries include JCB Finance, and JCB Insurance Services.
* JC Vickery — is a consumer goods company. Established in 1890, its headquarters is in London.
* JD Sports Fashion - is a sports fashion retail company. Established in 1981, its headquarters is in Burnley, Greater Manchester. It has 23 subsidiaries and is majority owned by Pentland Group. In 2020 its revenue was £6.1 billion, with a net income of £250.7 million.
* JD Wetherspoon plc (trading as Wetherspoons or Wetherspoon) — is a hospitality company that operates a chain of Wetherspoon pubs, bars, and hotels. It also operates Lloyds No.1 bars. It is headquartered in Watford, Hertfordshire. It was founded in 1979 by Tim Martin. In 2022 its revenue was £1.7 billion, with a net income of £19.3 million.
* John Bradley & Co — was an ironworks, mining, and freight railway company from 1800 to 1966. Its headquarters was in Stourbridge.
* John Brogden and Sons — was a railway contractors, mining, and iron smelting company from 1828 to 1880. Its headquarters was in London.
* John Lewis Partnership — is a privately held plc owned by a trust on behalf of its employees. It is a retail company that operates John Lewis & Partners, Waitrose & Partners, and other retail services. Founded by John Spedan Lewis in 1929, it is headquartered in Westminster, London. In 2022 its total revenue was £10.8 billion, with a net income of –£67.8 million.
* John Lewis & Partners — is a retailer of general merchandise founded in 1864 by John Lewis. Headquartered in London, it is part of the John Lewis Partnership. In 2017 its total revenue was £3.7 billion, with an operating income of £243.2 million.
* Johnson Matthey plc — is a British multinational speciality chemicals and sustainable technologies company headquartered in London. Its products include emissions control catalysts, industrial catalysts, absorbents, process technologies, fine chemicals, fuel cell technology, and battery technology. Its origins date to 1817 when Percival Norton Johnson set up as a gold assayer in London. In 1851 George Matthey joined the business which was renamed Johnson & Matthey. In 1852 it was appointed official assayer and refiner to the Bank of England. In the 1960s a banking subsidiary was founded as Johnson Matthey Bankers which, in 1984, was facing insolvency before being bought by the Bank of England for £1. In 2022 Johnson Matthey's revenue was £16 billion, with a net income of -£101 million.
* JPMorgan American Investment Trust plc — is an investment trust focused on investments in North America. It was founded in 1881.
* JPMorgan European Discovery Trust plc — is an investment trust focused on smaller European companies. It was founded in 1990. It was previously named the JPMorgan European Fledgling Investment Trust, and the JPMorgan European Smaller Companies Trust.
* JPMorgan Global Growth & Income plc — is an investment trust that invests in companies worldwide. It was founded in 1887 as the United British Securities Trust. It was later renamed the Fleming Overseas Investment Trust in 1982, the JPMorgan Fleming Overseas Investment Trust in 2003, the JPMorgan Overseas Investment Trust in 2006, before being given its current name in 2016. In 2022 it was merged with the Scottish Investment Trust.
* JPMorgan Indian Investment Trust plc — is an investment trust focused on India. It was established in 1994 and is managed by JPMorgan Asset Management.
* JPMorgan Japanese Investment Trust — is an investment trust focused on Japan. It was founded in 1955.
* JTC plc — is a financial services company providing fund administration services. It is located in Jersey. It was founded in 1987 as Jersey Trust Company. Its acquisitions include Merrill Lynch's international trust and wealth structuring business, Sanne Group's private client business, and NES Financial. In 2022 its revenue was £200 million, with a net income of £34 million.
* Julian Hodge Bank Ltd (trading as Hodge Bank) — is a bank offering mortgages, and savings. Headquartered in Cardiff, Wales; it was founded in 1987 by Sir Julian Hodge.