More than 35 South Wales businesses have been named among the fastest-growing firms in the nation. 

Fast Growth 50 released its 25th annual fastest-growing businesses in Wales list recently. 

South Wales boasted 38 of the 50 businesses on the list including the fastest-growing business for 2023 - Au Vodka, which is based in Swansea.

Collectively, the firms on the list generated a turnover of £880 million in 2022.

In the last two years, they employed more than 4000 people, while also creating over 200- new jobs which Fast Growth 50 was no mean feat "at a time when employment in Wales has remained flat".

Founder Fast Growth 50, Professor Dylan Jones-Evans OBE, said: “As the awards that Welsh businesses want to win more than any other, the Wales Fast Growth 50 serves as a benchmark for growth and innovation in the private sector.

"But the Wales Fast Growth 50 is more than just a list of successful companies; it is a testament to the power of entrepreneurial spirit and a catalyst for business growth and innovation across Wales.

"By recognising the achievements of these scale-up companies every year, the Fast Growth 50 is not only highlighting individual business success but providing valuable insights and inspiration for the broader business community.”

Top 50 fastest-growing businesses in Wales

  1. Au Vodka (Swansea) - 688.3% growth rate (2020 - 2022)
  2. Involve Rail (Pontypridd) - 210.4%
  3. Castell Construction (Swansea) - 181.4%
  4. Bearmont Group (Llandudno) - 162.9%
  5. Cleverchefs (Cardiff) - 257.7%
  6. Sero (Cardiff) - 151.2%
  7. Hoop Recruitment (Cardiff) - 147.5%
  8. Ramsay & White (Cardiff) - 139.2%
  9. Town Square Spaces (Caerphilly) - 120.8%
  10. Central FM Radio (Ebbw Vale) - 120%
  11. ZipWorld (Llanrwst) - 116.4%
  12. Sport Tape (Caerphilly) - 111.5%
  13. Brand Hatchers (Cardiff) - 108%
  14. Tollgate Engineering Services (Port Talbot) 102.1%
  15. Stable Resources (Cardiff) - 101.5%
  16. Edenstone Holidays (Caldicot) - 101.3%
  17. ACAI Outdoorwear (Deeside) - 97.3%
  18. RGM Security (Swansea) - 89.6%
  19. Chetwood Financial (Wrexham) - 89.1%
  20. Trakcel (Cardiff) - 83.7%
  21. Pure Wealth Management (Cardiff) - -74.2%
  22. SL Recycling (Hengoed) - 74.1%
  23. Purecyber (Cardiff) - 73.1%
  24. Jones' Village Bakery (Wrexham) - 72.1%
  25. Ascona Group (Pembroke Dock) - 69.9%
  26. Creo Mecical (Chepstow) - 69.7%
  27. Educate Resourcing (Wrexham) - 64.1%
  28. Edlio (Cardiff) - 64.1%
  29. Fsew (Cardiff) - 60.4%
  30. Nutrivend (Pontyclun) - 60.3%
  31. Lexington Corporate Finance (Cardiff) - 58.9%
  32. Curon Wealth Management (Bridgend) - 57.3%
  33. Passport to Employment (Pontypridd) - 57.1%
  34. Laser Wire Solutions (Pontypridd) - 55.8%
  35. Webbox Digital (Cardiff) - 55.4%
  36. Genpower (Pembroke Dock) - 55.2%
  37. Cellar Drinks Company (Crickhowell) - 54.8%
  38. City Energy Network (Cardiff) - 54.5%
  39. K&C Group [NW] (St Asaph) - 52.3%
  40. Bibado (Carmarthen) - 52.2%
  41. Rhymney Brewery (Pontypool) - 51.7%
  42. United Worldwide Logistics (Bridgend) - 51%
  43. ALS Managed Services (Hengoed) - 50.8%
  44. Trojan Group (Pontypridd) - 47.6%
  45. Ickle Bubba (Swansea) - 47.3%
  46. BFL Engineering (Bridgend) - 46.5%
  47. Energist (Swansea) - 45.7%
  48. HSG Facilities Management (Cardiff) - 45.5%
  49. Hartland Fire (Bridgend) - 44.8%
  50. Carbon Zero Group (St Asaph) - 43.2%

South Wales features heavily on Fast Growth 50 Wales 2023 list

Out of the 50 businesses that made the Wales Fast Growth 50 list in 2023, 38 of them were located in south Wales.

Sixteen Welsh local authorities were represented on the list with Cardiff being the "main growth hotspot in Wales", according to Fast Growth 50, with 15 firms among the top 50 fastest-growing businesses in Wales.

The Valleys authority of Rhondda Cynon Taf was the next major growth hotspot with five firms on the list in 2023, the same number as Swansea. 

These areas were followed by Bridgend and Caerphilly with four of the fastest growing firms.

Fast Growth 50 Wales 2023 awards

As well as the fastest growing firm in Wales award, which was won by Au Vodka, there were several other accolades handed out by Fast Growth 50 recently.

Fastest Growing Consumer Products Firm: Au Vodka

Fastest Growing Consumer Wholesale and Retail Service Firm: ZipWorld

Fastest Growing Recruitment Services Firm: Involve Rail

Fastest Growing Construction and Building Services Firm: Castell Group

Fastest Growing Green Firm: Sero

Fastest Growing Business to Business Firm: Cleverchefs

Fastest Growing Finacial Services Firm: Ramsay & White

Fastest Growing Technology and Digital Firm: Stable

Fastest Growing North Wales Firm: Bearmont Group

Fastest Growing Cardiff Firm: Cleverchefs

Fastest Growing International Firm: Brand Hatchers