The Sunday Times has unveiled its much-anticipated list of the UK’s 100 fastest-growing private companies of 2025, with activewear label Dfyne topping the rankings after recording extraordinary growth of 517 per cent a year.
Founded by Glasgow entrepreneur Oscar Ryndziewicz, the company posted revenues of £66.8 million this year, having been started on a credit card loan from his then-girlfriend, now wife, Eilidh.
The list highlights the entrepreneurs and small firms defying economic uncertainty with bold ideas, digital savvy and a strong sense of mission. Collectively, the top 100 businesses have added £2.8 billion in sales over the past three years, creating 10,500 jobs, and plan to hire 5,300 more people in the year ahead.
Among the high-flyers are Nala’s Baby, the skincare brand founded by rapper Krept and inspired by his daughter, and Hawkstone, Jeremy Clarkson’s brewery, which has tripled its sales to over £21 million, buoyed by the popularity of his TV show Clarkson’s Farm.
The diversity of sectors is striking — spanning fashion, health and wellness, tech consultancy, food delivery, and consumer products — but common traits run throughout: innovation, resilience, and a willingness to take risks. “If you don’t try, you’ll never get lucky,” said Dfyne’s founder Ryndziewicz, who credits luck and hustle in equal measure.
Female entrepreneurs feature prominently in the top 100, with 28 businesses led or co-founded by women. These include Odd Muse, a fashion brand started in lockdown by Aimee Smale, and Purdy & Figg, the eco-cleaning brand created by an NHS nurse and a horticulturist.
There’s also a noticeable geographical shift. This year’s list includes 10 companies from Scotland and Wales, up from zero last year, while London’s representation has dropped slightly to 36 companies. The North West — home to 18 firms — has emerged as a powerhouse of growth.
The youngest entrepreneurs on the list include the Simmer Eats brothers, Simmy and Jhai Dhillon, who built a £36 million food delivery service from a £10 start in a university kitchen, and the school friends behind Montirex, a Liverpool-based clothing brand with revenues of nearly £77 million.
Meanwhile, Two Circles, the data-driven sports marketing agency, made history as the only firm to appear on the list for a fourth consecutive year.
Top 10 Fastest-Growing Companies in the UK – Sunday Times 100, 2025
Dfyne – ▲ 517% growth
Activewear brand founded by Oscar Ryndziewicz, with sales of £66.8m.
Healf – ▲ 434%
Wellness products retailer founded by Lestat McCree and Max Clarke; £40m in sales.
Purdy & Figg – ▲ 325%
Natural cleaning products by NHS nurse Purdy Rubin and horticulturist Charlotte Figg.
Odd Muse – ▲ 268%
Luxury fashion label started during lockdown; £25m in sales.
Simmer Eats – ▲ 205%
Meal subscription business co-founded by brothers Simmy and Jhai Dhillon.
Pace – ▲ 197%
IT consultancy and innovation firm led by former Royal Marine Tim Bretman.
Capo – ▲ 192%
Menswear brand started by two non-league footballers in Accrington.
de Novo Solutions – ▲ 187%
Tech consultancy founded by Welsh entrepreneurs Mark Sweeny and Tim Warner.
D Louise – ▲ 183%
Jewellery brand founded in memory of Deborah Louise; £6.6m in sales.
Nala’s Baby – ▲ 175%
Natural skincare brand for children, founded by rapper Krept and inspired by his daughter.
The list provides an optimistic snapshot of British entrepreneurialism at a time when many large employers are slowing down hiring. Despite rising taxes and ongoing economic headwinds, these businesses show that the UK’s SME sector remains a vital engine of growth and innovation.
