Sunday Times Top Track 250

NEC Group has been recognised as one of the UK’s leading independent companies in the latest Sunday Times Grant Thornton Top Track 250 league table.

Compiled by the Oxford-based research and networking events company Fast Track, the annual table ranks Britain's top performing private firms and entrepreneurs by sales, with required growth in profit or sales.

The NEC Group is placed 155 in the 2019 rankings, improving on its position of 186 in 2018.

Paul Thandi, NEC Group chief executive said: “It is fantastic to see that we've increased our position in the rankings compared to last year. This is recognition of the hard work of our teams over the past 12 months, as well as new investment from Blackstone.

“Blackstone have invested into our people strategy and importantly our vision to become Europe’s most successful live events business, operating leading leisure, entertainment and business destinations.

"We have ambitious plans which can now be realised across our existing businesses, real estate opportunities and possible extensions to our current model and capabilities. Their credentials within real estate, M&A and making companies more successful are second to none. We’re looking forward not only to growing our existing business but also to extending further the scope of what we do - both on our current sites and elsewhere.

“We have seen double digit growth across the NEC Group consistently for the last few years and have similar levels dialled into our plans going forward. 2019/20 has got good growth in our arenas, catering, ticketing conference and exhibition businesses. Exhibitions are at the heart of our growth as we develop other businesses that are complementary to our venue management business at the NEC campus. As a predominately UK based organisation we continue to be confident in the general landscape, albeit we know that the backdrop of Brexit can present short term headwinds to some sectors our customers operate within.”

NEC Group is a live entertainment business with more than forty years of world-class expertise in venue and destination management.

Every year, more seven million people come together at NEC Group venues to learn, conduct business and be entertained.

Five of the UK’s leading business, leisure, and entertainment venues come under NEC Group’s portfolio - the National Exhibition Centre (NEC), International Convention Centre (ICC), Resorts World Arena, Arena Birmingham and the Vox Conference Centre.

Additional interests include national ticketing agency, The Ticket Factory, hospitality brand, Amplify and award-winning caterer, Amadeus.