Best Investor Communication Award

sponsored by Houston

 
The 2023 shortlist:

AB Dynamics plc

Based in Wiltshire, AB Dynamics is an international group of companies specialising in simulation and testing to enable the safe development of active safety and autonomous systems.

The group’s IR team was observed by the Voting Panel to be consistent and transparent when communicating to stakeholders. ABD’s Annual Report includes both statutory and adjusted non-GAAP financial measures, which the Directors believe provides a more meaningful comparison of how the business is managed and measured on a day-to-day basis. The group’s website was noted as being well sign-posted and easy to navigate. 

ESG highlights: AB Dynamics’ core purpose is to accelerate customers to Net Zero and improve road safety. Its Diversity, Equality and Inclusion strategy is focused on Gender and the armed forces in STEM. The group is Environment Management ISO accredited, signees of the social mobility pledge and has established a board level ESG committee. 

Artisanal Spirits Company plc

The Artisanal Spirits Company (ASC) is based in Edinburgh. The group owns The Scotch Malt Whisky Society (SMWS), which was established in 1983, and currently has a growing worldwide membership of over 38,000 paying subscribers.

Since listing on AIM in 2021, ASC has achieved all the milestones set at IPO, and the group has effectively communicated this to the market. ASC’s Annual Report does an excellent job of communicating the unique aspects of the business, in addition to outlining its clear strategy. The website has extensive video content and was noted as being engaging by the Voting Panel.

ESG highlights: ASC are an accredited Living Wage Employer, and has implemented a staff wellbeing framework; currently 20% of its workforce are trained as mental health first aiders. It is taking steps to reduce its carbon footprint across its operations. 

Belvoir Group plc

Lincolnshire-based Belvoir Group is one of the largest franchised property groups in the UK. The group operates through two divisions: a network of property franchisees; and a network of financial advisers.

Belvoir is incredibly committed to thorough investor communication, as demonstrated by the six retail investor events attended by the management team in the last year across a number of key communication platforms. Belvoir’s Annual Report demonstrates the group’s high level of engagement with its stakeholders and its website was considered to be ‘first-class’ by the Voting Panel judges, with results presentations being promptly posted online. 

ESG highlights: Belvoir has developed a five pillar strategy across Environmental, Social and Governance. It is building a decarbonisation strategy and will be carbon neutral in 2024, whilst also investing in its talent development and auditing across the franchisee’s businesses. 

Next 15 Group plc

London-based Next 15 Group is a technology and data-based growth consultancy that helps clients deliver sustainable growth by connecting them to their customers in innovative, impactful and insightful ways. 

Next 15 has built a reputation for its open, honest and transparent investor communication. The group’s Annual Report demonstrates the Board’s consistent engagement with shareholders, in addition to its extensive provision of corporate research and notable Board diversification. The group’s website was observed as being informative and accessible. 

ESG highlights: Next 15 are building a robust net zero strategy with interim targets in place in line with Science Based Targets in 6 offices. Next 15 have a focus on Diversity and Equality across the business, which is supported by its gender equal board. It has established an ESG board committee and is working towards B Corp status across all brands. 

Smart Metering Systems plc

Glasgow-based Smart Metering Systems (SMS) is a fully integrated energy infrastructure company which owns, installs, and manages carbon reduction (CaRe) assets, including smart meters, battery energy storage systems (BESS), and EV chargepoints. 

SMS is committed to communicating its financial and strategic progress with shareholders. Its detailed Annual Report explains the group’s characteristics and behaviours and includes a strategic roadmap detailing SMS’s purpose, strategy, culture and values. The key messages on the website are consistent with the Annual Report, which scored well in in the benchmarking exercise in terms of its usability and video content.

ESG highlights: SMS is developing a robust Net Zero strategy and investing in its decarbonisation approach. It is CDP climate B rated and holds Environment, Health and Safety and Data Management ISO accreditations. SMS is an accredited Living Wage Employer and has an even gender split on its board. 

Tracsis plc

Leeds-based Tracsis is a leading provider of software, hardware, data analytics/GIS and services for the rail, traffic data and wider transport industries. 

Tracsis was observed by the Voting Panel to be strong communicators that listen and react to feedback from the investor community. The group’s Annual Report consistently demonstrates best practice and performed well in the benchmarking exercise. The report evidences the group’s organic growth, providing examples of achievements throughout the year, in addition to including an engaging Q&A with the CEO. The website is well structured and optimises digital features by incorporating video content throughout. 

ESG highlights: Tracsis has formed a board level ESG committee to oversee the communication of its ESG activities with all stakeholders. Tracsis aims to be carbon neutral by 2030 and holds both Environment Management and Data Management ISO accreditations. 

Best Use of AIM Award

sponsored by Winterflood Securities

 
The 2023 shortlist:

CleanTech Lithium plc

CleanTech Lithium is incorporated in Jersey and has two lithium projects in Chile; the Laguna Verde Project and the Francisco Basin Project. The group’s mission is to be the leading supplier of green lithium to the EV market. 

CleanTech Lithium were admitted to trading on AIM in March 2022 with a market capitalisation of approximately £23.7m. The markets responded favourably to the group’s progress within the first year, and, following a resources upgrade a secondary raise of £12.3m was completed in October 2022 with new institutional and retail investors. The funds raised were used to compete the group’s 2023 work programme, helping to deliver long-term sustainable value for investors and all stakeholders. Current share price is double the IPO price and 30% above the secondary placing.

ESG highlights: Cleantech Lithium is taking steps to embed ESG throughout its operational processes, whilst protecting human rights of the communities in which it operates. It has formed a board level ESG committee and is working towards becoming carbon neutral by 2026.

Midwich Group plc

Based in Norfolk, Midwich is a specialist AV distributor to the trade market. The group has a comprehensive product portfolio across major audio visual categories such as displays, projectors, technical AV, broadcast, professional audio, lighting and unified communication.

In June this year, Midwich successfully raised £50m to fund the acquisition of SFM, an established player in the Canadian pro audio market. This is the group’s first presence in Canada, which bolsters Midwich’s position in the lucrative North American market. The fundraise also enabled multiple smaller bolt-on acquisitions for Midwich, resulting in upgrades to EPS expectations. 

ESG highlights: Midwich has engaged its stakeholders to develop its ESG strategy with 4 key areas of focus – reducing its environmental impact, developing a sustainable supply chain, enhancing employee engagement, and delivering benefits to customers via its products. It is currently carbon offsetting in its efforts to be carbon neutral.

SigmaRoc plc

London-based SigmaRoc is a buy-and-build group targeting construction materials assets in the UK and Northern Europe. The group purchases assets in fragmented construction materials markets and extracts efficiencies through active management and forming the assets into larger groups. 

SigmaRoc has frequently used the AIM market to fund its buy-and-build strategy since the group’s transformational reverse takeover in 2021. In February this year, SigmaRoc successfully raised £30m to finance ten bolt-on acquisitions, in addition to funding four organic growth and carbon footprint reduction projects. Taken together, the acquisitions and organic investment projects are anticipated to generate approximately £42m of net revenue (8% of FY 2022 revenue) on an annualised basis.

ESG highlights: SigmaRoc is developing a robust ESG strategy. It is a signatory of the SBTi and has developed a solid approach to becoming net zero by 2040. SigmaRoc also holds Health and Safety Management and Environment Management ISO accreditations.

Solid State plc

Based in Worcestershire, Solid State is a value-added electronics group supplying commercial, industrial and defence markets with durable components, assemblies and manufactured units for use in specialist and harsh environments. 

Solid State has grown steadily since listing on AIM by using the market to build a successful acquisition platform. In August 2022, the group completed its largest acquisition to date, through the purchase of Custom Power for approximately $45m. The initial cash consideration was funded by an equity fundraising of £28.3m. The acquisition is transformational for Solid State as it significantly accelerates the group’s US expansion plans, enhancing its manufacturing capabilities, product portfolio and customer base. 

ESG highlights: Solid State aims to work in alignment with the 17 UN Sustainability Development Goals and has formed a board level ESG committee. Solid State is committed to achieving its net zero target by 2050. 

Team Internet Group plc

Team Internet Group is a leading global internet solutions company, based in London. The group, formerly known as CentralNic, operates in two markets: high-growth digital advertising (Online Marketing segment) and domain name management solutions (Online Presence segment). 

Team Internet has achieved a revenue Compound Annual Growth Rate of 78% since its IPO in 2013, through a combination of organic growth and highly accretive acquisitions, demonstrating the group’s innovative use of AIM. Last year alone, the group completed six earnings accretive acquisitions, the most significant of which was VGL Publishing AG, which was Team Internet’s largest acquisition to date, resulting in the group being recognised by the Financial Times as one of Europe's fastest-growing companies.

ESG highlights: Team Internet is dedicated to sustainable business practices. The board is 25% female and the company have achieved 80% employee contentment regarding work-life balance. A certified carbon neutral company, Team Internet is working towards a net zero commitment. 

YouGov plc

London-based YouGov is an international online research data and analytics technology group. Its innovative solutions help the world’s most recognised brands, media owners and agencies to plan, activate and track their marketing activities better. 

In July this year, YouGov announced its acquisition of GfK SE’s Consumer Panel Business, which is an established leader in household purchase data, with panels across 16 European countries. The highly complex transaction involved YouGov funding the acquisition through an equity placing of new ordinary shares, raising gross proceeds of approximately £51.2m, with the remainder of the cash consideration being financed by a fully committed bridge debt facility and existing cash. YouGov was able to complete this transformational deal primarily because its AIM quote enabled it meet all requirements of the sale process, including the buyer to have no contingencies to complete, such as a shareholder EGM vote or competition enquiry.

ESG highlights: YouGov is a values-based business and ESG forms a core part of its business model. It has signed the MRS Net Zero Pledge to be net zero in the UK by 2026. YouGov is an accredited Living Wage Employer, reports extensively on its diversity, and holds the Data Management ISO accreditation.

Best Technology Award

sponsored by Cavendish

 
The 2023 shortlist:

Creo Medical Group plc

Chepstow-based Creo Medical develops and commercialises minimally invasive electrosurgical devices, applying advanced laparoscopic technology to address unmet needs through its CROMA system's bipolar RF and focused microwave energy delivery. Creo is transforming lives by delivering pioneering solutions to healthcare providers across the world.

The group’s CROMA advanced energy platform, when combined with its Kamaptive Technology, enables a broad spectrum of energies to be utilised and it is this unique combination that has put Creo Medical at the forefront of a paradigm shift in the treatment of an increasing number of indications, particularly in the GI tract, pancreas, liver and lung.

Creo’s products are in everyday use by some of the world’s best physicians, particularly its flagship device, Speedboat Inject, which has taken endoscopic resection to new levels. Last year, Creo Medical saw a threefold increase in revenue generated from its core technology.

ESG highlights: Creo Medical’s mission is to improve patient outcomes and it recognises the importance of doing this responsibly. It is committed to being net zero by 2035 and has put interim targets in place. Creo Medical has achieved the environment management ISO accreditation.

Eagle Eye Solutions Group plc

Guildford-based Eagle Eye is a leading SaaS technology company enabling retail, travel and hospitality brands to earn the loyalty of their end-customers by powering their real-time, omnichannel and personalised consumer marketing activities.

The Eagle Eye AIR platform powers loyalty and customer engagement solutions for enterprise businesses all over the world, including Asda, Tesco, Pret a Manger, Morrisons, Waitrose and John Lewis. In January 2023, the group completed its first acquisition of a French AI-powered personalised promotions business, providing a blue-chip client roster in France as well as new opportunities in the US and APAC.

As the cost of living crisis deepens, the retail industry has become increasingly aware that data driven, personalised promotions are one of the most effective ways to drive increased trade and retain customer loyalty and Eagle Eye AIR remains at the forefront of this digital transformation.

ESG highlights: Eagle Eye is a virtual-first business with a people-first culture. It has launched a wellbeing policy, promoting Mental First Aider training, including to all managers. Eagle Eye Solutions Group is Data Management ISO certified and offsets its carbon emissions.

FD Technologies plc

FD Technologies is one of the best performing tech companies on AIM, up 3472% since its initial listing on AIM in 2002. The group’s KX software is the fastest, best-informed, real-time decision-making engine in the world. Capable of capturing any data, from any location and in any format, its unrivalled streaming analytics platform drives the most demanding business decisions with real-time continuous intelligence.

FD Technologies recently introduced KDB.AI, a new vector database that boosts Natural Language Processing and Generative AI search applications with relevancy at scale, validating the group’s mission to accelerate the speed of AI driven innovation.

ESG highlights: FD Technologies’ ESG strategy is focused internally on its talent retention and externally to customers via its technology capabilities. Board composition is 29% female. The group has formed a board level ESG committee and reports high level retention rates across its business.

Intelligent Ultrasound Group plc

Cardiff based Intelligent Ultrasound provides clinicians with real-time support from the classroom to the clinic with world-class high-fidelity simulators to train clinicians in the classroom, and state-of-the-art AI image analysis software to support and guide them in the clinic.

Ultrasound is a fast, non-invasive, and cost-effective diagnostic tool, which is expanding as a diagnostic tool across multiple departments and specialties, however it is a difficult skill to learn. Intelligent Ultrasound offers advanced ultrasound education and training simulators for medical professionals, serving customers worldwide to ensure ultrasound becomes accessible to all.

The group has a long-term partnership with GE Healthcare, who recently announced the launch of SonoLystlive, which is powered by Intelligent Ultrasounds’s ScanNav AI software. SonoLystlive takes ultrasound image recognition to the next level by automatically capturing images in real-time, which significantly reduces keystrokes and exam time for sonographers.

ESG highlights: Intelligent Ultrasound is focused on making a positive impact with its customers, employees and communities and aligns its ESG strategy to the UN Sustainable Development Goals. It has achieved carbon neutrality and its board is 33% women.

IQGeo Group plc

Cambride-based IQGeo is a Geospatial software developer dedicated to building better networks for telecom and utility operators. The group’s software provides a single platform across planning, design, construction, operations and maintenance, and sales and marketing processes for telecoms, fibre, and utility network operators.

IQGeo’s award-winning, cloud-enabled solutions focus on usability, empowering users to deliver high-quality work and minimising the transitions between each lifecycle stage, so teams can collaborate in real time, saving time and money. The group enables utility and telecom customers to continually adapt to future workflows, systems and requirements. 

IQGeo completed several acquisitions during the period, including that of Comsof NV last August, providing the group with the ability to capture global market share and strengthen its position as a world-class provider of geospatial network management software.

ESG highlights: IQGeo works with customers to optimise their existing process to cut carbon emissions. It is an accredited carbon neutral firm and committed to becoming net zero. IQgeo holds the Data Management ISO accreditation.

Oxford Metrics plc

Oxford Metrics is a smart sensing software company based in Oxfordshire. The group has around 10,000 active customers in over 70 countries, including some of the biggest names in healthcare, research, sports, engineering and entertainment.

Oxford Metrics’ Vicon systems are used by organisations such as Guys & St Thomas Hospital and Imperial College London to provide deep insights into movement for sports, healthcare and research. In July last year, Vicon launched Valkyrie, its new flagship solution, with four camera models delivering the world’s highest quality motion capture system.

The group’s Valkyrie system will capture motion more accurately to reality than ever before, powering a new wave of innovation and discovery across all its vertical markets, making it a best-in-class ecosystem for motion capture users.

ESG highlights: Oxford Metrics is committed to working ethically and in an environmentally and socially responsible way. It is focused on its people strategy and delivering quality to customers. It reports a high retention rate and takes several steps to ensure the financial, physical, and mental safety of its staff.

Sondrel Holdings plc

Reading-based Sondrel is a fabless semiconductor company specialising in high end, complex digital Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs) and System on Chips (SOCs). The group provides a full turnkey service in the design, prototyping, testing, packaging and production of ASICs and SoCs.

Sondrel is one of only a few companies capable of designing and supplying higher-spec chips built on the most advanced semiconductor technologies. The group sells into a range of hyper growth end markets such as high-performance computing, automotive, artificial intelligence, VR/AR, video analytics, image processing, mobile networking and data centres and its clients include Apple (iPhone), Sony (PlayStation), Meta (Oculus), Samsung and Tesla, to name a few.

Sondrel listed on AIM in October 2022. The group’s IPO was the largest microchip IPO since Arm went public in 1998.

ESG highlights: Sondrel recognises that success cannot be at the expense of the environment, its employees, or society. Sondrel has is Data Management ISO accredited and plans to develop its environment strategy.

Diversity Champion Award

sponsored by Addidat

 
The 2023 shortlist:

LBG Media plc

London-based LBG Media is a multi-brand, multi-channel, digital youth publisher and a leading disrupter in the digital media and social publishing sectors. The group has curated a diverse collection of specialist brands using social media platforms (primarily Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Twitter, YouTube and TikTok) and built multiple websites to reach new audiences.

LBG Media continues to work hard to create an inclusive and supportive environment for its employees. Alongside introducing new policies and new internal community groups, LBG Media is above the industry standard of 8% in LGBTQ+ representation (13%) and in Disability representation (12%). 

In addition, the group continues to meet its diversity target of ensuring 20% of its leadership team are from an ethnic minority group. LBG Media places great emphasis on having a positive impact by tackling complex social issues with its flagship original series ‘Minutes With’, which champions unheard voices.

ESG highlights: LBG Media focuses its ESG strategy on maintaining effective working relationships across its stakeholders to achieve long-term success. Its strong DEI strategy is supported by a board composition of 29% females. 

Learning Technologies Group plc

London-based Learning Technologies Group (LTG) is a market leader in the fast-growing workplace digital learning and talent management market. The group offers large organisations a new approach to learning and talent in a business world driven by digital transformation.

LTG is committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive workplace, fuelled by a world-class DE&I approach. Last year, the group employed a new Chief People Officer with the objective of increasing employee engagement and promoting DE&I initiatives. 

In addition, LTG appointed a Vice President of Diversity and Engagement to act as a key point of contact and work to support Employee Resource Groups (ERG). ERGs provide both a safe space for employees to feedback concerns and a direct route for employees to influence policy decisions at the executive level, particularly with regard to DE&I initiatives. 

ESG highlights: LTG’s board composition is 43% women. It has established a board level ESG committee and is committed to being net zero by 2050. In addition to its strong DEI strategy, LTG is aligned with UNGC principles and is Data Management ISO accredited.

MindGym plc

Based in London, MindGym equips companies to build the culture, commitment and skills that deliver business results. The group translates behavioural science principles into a unique set of experiences, products and tools to create company-wide behaviour change.

MindGym states that ‘Diversity alone isn't enough’. Grounded in science and developed with leading academics, MindGym’s four cornerstones approach equips leaders with the skills to foster culture change and provide a framework on how to engage in inclusive conversations, without leaving anyone behind. 

MindGym took bold steps in 2020 to aim its work inward as well as towards its clients, creating a steering committee made up of 11 MindGymmers from across the business, to identify and tackle its own diversity, equity, and inclusion challenges. As a result of this, the group implemented various strategies including offering its new 1:1 precision coaching platform, Performa, to over half of its employee population. 

ESG highlights: MindGym recognises the importance of integrating ESG principles across its operations. In addition to its robust DEI strategy, MindGym is investing in its environment strategy and engages with EcoVadis to externally assess its sustainability efforts.

Mortgage Advice Bureau Holdings plc

Headquartered in Derby, Mortgage Advice Bureau (MAB) is one of the UK’s leading consumer intermediary brands and specialist appointed representative networks for mortgage intermediaries.

MAB has made very good progress in relation to diversity, equality and inclusivity in the workplace during the past year. The group has introduced a variety of ‘people-first benefits’, including enhanced leave for primary caregivers/fathers, Coffee Roulette, menopause awareness webinars, Mental Health First Aiders, and regular wellbeing activities. 

The group has also developed its strategy around countering the gender pay gap in the future and how this aligns with its business goals, prioritising, promoting, and supporting development opportunities for all employees, regardless of gender or background.

ESG highlights: ESG is firmly embedded within Mortgage Advice Bureau’s group strategy. In addition to its wide-ranging approach to DEI, it has started reporting on and reducing its carbon footprint and launched a green mortgage product.

Next 15 Group plc

London-based Next 15 Group is a technology and data-based growth consultancy that helps clients deliver sustainable growth by connecting them to their customers in innovative, impactful and insightful ways. 

Next 15 Group’s board has been working on improving its diversity and ESG focus for several years and has now established a board with significant diversity. The group has created an EDI framework consisting of five pillars: Leadership, Inclusion, Equality, Openness, and Belonging and has implemented comprehensive EDI policies across the group. 

Next 15’s established ESG committee set up an internal ethics committee to carry out annual Equity, Diversity and Integrity Audits; a twenty-two page report on these issues was included as part of the group’s annual report.

ESG highlights: Next 15 are building a robust net zero strategy with interim targets in place in line with Science Based Targets in six offices. Next 15 have a focus on Diversity and Equality across the business, which is supported by its gender equal board. It has established an ESG board committee and is working towards B Corp status across all brands.

YouGov plc

London-based YouGov was founded in 2000 and is a pioneer of online polling. The group takes pride in its accuracy and is trusted by the world’s biggest brands to get it right, making the group the most quoted pollster in the world.

Diversity and inclusion are fundamental to YouGov. To accurately represent the full range of public opinion, YouGov believes it is essential that its panel is inclusive and accessible to all. Engaging and retaining under-represented groups is a significant area of focus for the group to ensure its continued commercial success and social impact. 

Internally, YouGov is committed to providing equitable opportunities and has successfully integrated a bi-annual ‘Count Me In’ campaign to encourage employees to voluntarily disclose diversity monitoring data. This has informed YouGov’s recruiting strategies, improved the accuracy of its Gender and Ethnicity Pay Gap Reporting, and supported its first annual Workforce Diversity Report. 

ESG highlights: YouGov is a values-based business and ESG forms a core part of its business model. It has signed the MRS Net Zero Pledge to be net zero in the UK by 2026. YouGov is an accredited Living Wage Employer, reports extensively on its diversity, and holds the Data Management ISO accreditation. 

AIM Transaction of the Year Award

sponsored by HSBC Innovation Banking

 
The 2023 shortlist:

Franchise Brands plc

Macclesfield-based Franchise Brands is an international, multi-brand franchisor, focused on building market-leading businesses. The group has a combined network of 650 franchisees across seven franchise brands in ten countries covering the UK, North America and Europe. Brands include Metro Rod, Metro Plumb, Filta and ChipsAway.

In April 2023, against exceptionally difficult market conditions, Franchise Brands completed the acquisition of Pirtek Europe, an established European provider of on-site hydraulic hose replacement and associated services. The transaction was funded by a £110m debt package and a £114m equity fundraise. 

The deal represented a landmark transaction for the group as it not only provided Franchise Brands with a substantially enlarged customer base, it also provided the business with the opportunity to diversify both operationally and geographically. At the time the acquisition was completed, it represented the largest fundraise on AIM since October 2022. 

ESG highlights: Franchise Brands has a three-pillar framework around ESG which helps to drive and measure progress, whilst embedding sustainability considerations into its decision making. Franchise Brands carries out several DEI initiatives, undertakes carbon reduction measures and aligns to UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Journeo plc

Journeo is a leading information systems and technical services business based in Ashby-de-la-Zouch. The group operates in two segments: fleet operator solutions, including CCTV video surveillance; and passenger transport infrastructure solutions, hardware and software for electronic public transport information systems.

In December 2022, Journeo raised over £8.7m to fund the acquisition of Infotec, which is the UK’s leading rail passenger information equipment provider. Although this was considered by the Voting Panel to be a relatively small acquisition, it has proved to be transformational for Journeo as it doubled the size of the group and has already been significantly earnings accretive. 

As a result of this innovative acquisition, Journeo has established a strong market position, which has resulted in several upgrades and new orders, while in addition, the group’s share price has increased from 105p to 185p. 

ESG highlights: Journeo uses a programme of discovery and engagement with its stakeholders to make sure its ESG activities align with what is most important to them. Journeo is committed to being net zero by 2050 and developing its plan to deliver this. It also holds Health and Safety, Environment and Data Management ISO accreditations. 

Marlowe plc

London-based Marlowe is a leader in business-critical services and software which assure regulatory compliance. The group’s mission is to help companies succeed as the one-stop-shop they need to ensure they are safe, efficient and compliant.

In July this year, Marlowe announced the completion of the acquisition of IMSM Holdings for around £17.4m. IMSM provides ISO auditing and certification services to approximately 5,000 UK and international clients. The acquisition represented Marlowe’s first step into the highly complementary ISO certification market, in addition to providing opportunities to digitise IMSM's services via collaboration with Marlowe's SaaS offering.

The transaction significantly increased the depth and breadth of Marlowe’s service offering and, together with Marlowe’s strong organic growth rates, puts the group in a very strong position for the rest of the year and beyond.

ESG highlights: Marlowe is committed to reducing the environmental impact and has committed to scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions being net zero by 2035, whilst working with its supply chain to reduce its Scope 3 emissions. Marlowe’s board is 29% women, and the company has established a board level ESG committee. 

Shield Therapeutics plc

Newcastle-based Shield Therapeutics is a commercial stage specialty pharmaceutical company. The group has developed an innovative and differentiated product, called Accrufer®/Feraccru®, to address a significant unmet need for patients suffering from iron deficiency, with or without anaemia. 

In December 2022, in difficult markets, Shield Therapeutics completed a $18.5m equity fundraise, including an additional £3.9m Open Offer available to its private investors. Alongside the equity raise, the group signed a multi-year collaborative sales agreement with Viatris, a global healthcare company, to drive sales and accelerate revenue growth for Accrufer®.

The transaction and collaboration have been transformative for Shield, validating the group’s position in the oral iron market and significantly expanding commercial resources for Accrufer®, which has the potential to generate combined net product revenues in excess of US$150m by 2025.

ESG highlights: Shield Therapeutics’ board is committed to the highest standard of corporate governance and maintains a sound control framework across the business.

Solid State plc

Headquartered in Redditch, Solid State is a value-added electronics group supplying commercial, industrial and defence markets with durable components, assemblies and manufactured units for use in specialist and harsh environments.

In July last year, Solid State announced the acquisition of Custom Power LLC for approximately $45m, making it the group’s largest acquisition to date. Custom Power is a battery systems manufacturer and energy solutions provider based in the US. The transaction provides Solid State with access to lucrative markets that have historically had high barriers to entry, in addition to providing increased scale to the group’s capabilities.

The acquisition completed in August 2022 and has been highly complementary for both businesses, who have significantly benefited from the increased reach, resource and expertise the transaction has provided.

ESG highlights: Solid State aims to work in alignment with the 17 UN Sustainability Development Goals and has formed a board level ESG committee. Solid State is committed to achieving its net zero target by 2050.

YouGov plc

Based in London, YouGov is an international online research data and analytics technology group. Its mission is to supply a continuous stream of accurate data and insight into what the world thinks, so that companies, governments and institutions can make informed decisions.

In July this year, YouGov announced its acquisition of GfK SE’s Consumer Panel Business, an established leader in household purchase data, with panels across 16 European countries. The group raised £51m to complete its acquisition of the business, which will give YouGov’s clients in the FMCG sector unrivalled, end-to-end access to insights into consumer behaviour.

The transaction is important for YouGov strategically, as its expands and augments the group’s offering and supercharges its customer value proposition by combining one of the richest data sets on household purchases with YouGov's existing media consumption and brand data.

ESG highlights: YouGov is a values-based business and ESG forms a core part of their business model. It has signed the MRS Net Zero Pledge to be net zero in the UK by 2026. YouGov is an accredited Living Wage Employer, reports extensively on its diversity, and holds the Data Management ISO accreditation.

AIM Corporate Governance Award

sponsored by ONE Advisory

 
The 2023 shortlist:

Lords Group Trading plc

London-based Lords Group is a specialist distributor of building, plumbing, heating and DIY goods. The company principally sells to local tradesmen, small to medium sized plumbing and heating merchants, construction companies and retails directly to the general public.

Lords Group continued to refine its approach to corporate governance during the period. The group identified several priorities to focus on, including further developing its risk management framework and reviewing organisational structures to ensure the right people are in place to support the group’s growth ambitions.

The Lords Group Board has guided the company through a period of very significant growth, whilst maintaining its strong, highly ethical, corporate culture and commitment to stakeholders and ensuring the group’s culture cascades through the business.

ESG priorities: Sustainability is a priority for Lords Group. It has formalised its ESG governance structure and hired an ESG manager. The group is developing an environmental strategy to become net zero and is investing heavily in anti-modern slavery practices across its supply chain.

Next 15 Group plc

London-based Next 15 is a group of businesses designed to help companies grow. The company helps its clients deliver sustainable growth by connecting them to customers in innovative, impactful and insightful ways.

Next 15 has been working on improving its governance, in addition to its environmental and social focus, for several years. In March last year, the group added two new Directors to the Board in order to provide a greater breadth of experience, particularly in the US market.

The Board composition is now 50% female and, as of January this year, meets all diversity targets. The group’s established ESG committee has set up an internal ethics committee to carry out annual Equity, Diversity and Integrity Audits.

ESG highlights: Next 15 are building a robust net zero strategy with interim targets in place in line with Science Based Targets in six offices. Next 15 have a focus on Diversity and Equality across the business, which is supported by its gender equal board. The group is working towards B Corp status across all brands.

Personal Group Holdings plc

Milton Keynes-based Personal Group is a workforce benefits and services provider. The group enables employers across the UK to improve employee engagement and support people's physical, mental, social and financial wellbeing.

Personal Group has long been a champion of ESG initiatives and the group continues to demonstrate sound governance. Personal Group’s Nominations Committee, which is responsible for reviewing the structure, size and composition of the Board and making recommendations with regard to change, successfully ensured the smooth transition of CEOs from Deborah Frost to Paula Constant.

During the last year, Personal Group introduced more formal Strategic Workforce Planning in order to identify the skill and capability needs for future business requirements. The group is committed to reassuring stakeholders that its governance is robust and compliant with all regulatory and legal frameworks.

ESG highlights: Personal Group is driven by a commitment to improve people’s health and wellbeing, therefore ESG is at the core of the business and a board priority. The group has stated a target year 2031 to be carbon neutral and has plans to implement a net zero strategy. Three of the board senior positions are female.

Sanderson Design Group plc

Uxbridge-based Sanderson Design is an international luxury interior furnishings company. The group designs, manufactures and markets wallpapers and fabrics together with a wide range of ancillary interior products.

Sanderson Design’s Board is dedicated to ensuring the highest legal and ethical standards are upheld, and aims to ensure its employees conduct themselves respectfully and honestly. A healthy corporate culture is promoted within the business in various ways, including linking employees’ appraisal objectives and reward and recognition schemes to the group’s vision and values.

Sanderson Design is committed to being the employer of choice in its industry and has designed an ‘Empowering Our People’ agenda to deliver this goal, with work focused on leadership, culture and talent and capabilities.

ESG highlights: Sanderson Design has established a ‘Live Beautiful’ sustainability strategy, which aims for the company to be net carbon zero by 2030. The group has LED lighting installed across all its sites and has invested in digital printing to significantly reduce water consumption.

SigmaRoc plc

London-based SigmaRoc is an innovative quarrying and construction materials group with sites in the UK and Northern Europe. The group purchases assets in fragmented construction materials markets and extracts efficiencies through active management and forming the assets into larger groups. 

SigmaRoc’s Chief Financial Officer, Garth Palmer, has assumed responsibility for ensuring that the group has appropriate corporate governance standards in place and that these requirements are followed and applied within the company as a whole. As a result, it has become central to the group’s strategy that there is an open and respectful dialogue with employees, clients and other stakeholders.

SigmaRoc believes that the importance of sound ethical values and behaviours is crucial to its ability to successfully achieve its corporate objectives. The Board places great importance on this aspect of corporate life and seeks to ensure this flows through all the company’s operations.

ESG highlights: SigmaRoc is developing a robust ESG strategy. It is a signatory of the SBTi and has developed a solid approach to becoming net zero by 2040. SigmaRoc also holds Health and Safety Management and Environment Management ISO accreditations.

Smart Metering Systems plc

Glasgow-based Smart Metering Systems uses its technology and data expertise, funding capability, and deep engineering skills to provide total energy solutions for customers.

SMS is fully committed to maintaining the highest standards of corporate governance, which it has reported in detail in the Corporate Governance report section of its Annual Report. The group’s Board has continued to look for ways in which it can improve and develop, and as a result, it commissioned an external review of the Board’s effectiveness.

In January this year, SMS was upgraded to an AA MSCI rating. MSCI’s report stated that SMS falls into the highest scoring range on corporate governance practices, indicating that these practices are generally well aligned with shareholder interests.

ESG highlights: SMS is developing a robust Net Zero strategy and investing in its decarbonisation approach. It is CDP climate B rated and holds Environment, Health and Safety and Data Management ISO accreditations. SMS is an accredited Living Wage Employer and has an even gender split on its board.

AIM Growth Business of the Year Award

sponsored by BGF

 
The 2023 shortlist:

Cerillion plc

London-based Cerillion is a leading provider of billing, charging and customer management systems. The group has over 20 years’ experience delivering its solutions across a broad range of industries including the telecommunications, finance, utilities and transportation sectors.

Cerillion’s interim results for the six months to end March 2023 report all the group’s key KPIs are at record highs, including revenue, profit and cash. Revenue has increased by 27% year-on-year to £20.5m, reflecting the group’s major implementation and upgrade projects with new customers and strong flows of business from existing customers. In addition, total new orders increased year-on-year by 40% to £15.3m.

Cerillion’s growth has been on a steady upward trajectory. The group has an impressive five-year EBITDA CAGR of 30.5% and a five-year average yearly share price rise of 58.5%.

ESG highlights: Cerillion is committed to protecting the environment and contributing to society as part of its growth strategy. It is establishing a board level ESG committee and mobilising its environmental strategy. Cerillion hold the Data Management ISO accreditation.

IQGeo Group plc

Cambride-based IQGeo is a Geospatial software developer dedicated to building better networks for telecom and utility operators. The group’s software provides a single platform across planning, design, construction, operations and maintenance, and sales and marketing processes for telecoms, fibre, and utility network operators.

IQGeo has achieved continued success with its recurring revenue base, as reported in the group’s interim results for the six months to end June 2023. The company’s total revenue has grown by 124% to £20.5m, 83% of which has been organic, with the remainder coming from the group’s acquisition of Comsof in August 2022.

IQGeo’s revenue stream comprises a healthy combination of new deals in addition to expansion projects, which have allowed the group to further establish its global footprint, enabling profit forecasts to treble in FY23.

ESG highlights: IQGeo works with customers to optimise their existing process to cut carbon emissions. It is an accredited carbon neutral firm and committed to becoming net zero. IQgeo holds the Data Management ISO accreditation.

Kitwave Group plc

Based in Tyne and Wear, Kitwave is an independent, delivered wholesale business. The group specialises in selling impulse products (such as confectionery, soft drinks, snacks, ice cream), frozen, chilled and fresh foods, alcohol, groceries and tobacco to customers.

Kitwave group has reported strong trading, across all divisions, ahead of Board expectations, in its interim report for the six months to end April 2023. The group’s revenues are up 23% to £275m and profit before tax has increased by 48% to £8.3m.

One of Kitwave’s significant highlights, which is partly responsible for the group’s growth, was the successful acquisition and integration of WestCountry into its Foodservice division, which enabled further expansion into the South West.

ESG highlights: Kitwave is a people-centric business and is currently investing in its people engagement model. It is taking several steps to reduce its carbon footprint across its operations.

Kooth plc

London-based Kooth is the UK’s leading digital mental health platform. The group’s online platform is clinically robust and accredited to provide a range of therapeutic support and interventions.

Kooth is contracted by more than 90% of NHS England CCGs to support the mental health needs of children and young people. In 2022, the group began its international expansion, announcing its first large-scale deployment in the State of Pennsylvania with a $3m pilot contract. After the group’s year-end, in March 2023, Kooth announced it had been selected by the California Department of Health Care Services to provide its service to every 13–25-year-old in the State as part of California’s $4.7bn 5-year plan to transform access to youth mental healthcare.

Kooth’s half year results, for the six months to end June 2023, report revenues up 29% to £11.7m and Annual Recurring Revenue up 16% to £21.4m. The group’s transformational US contract win in California has a minimum value of $188m.

ESG highlights: Social values are a priority for Kooth and infused in its business model. It is an accredited Living Wage Employer and its board is 33% female. Kooth is developing its environmental strategy and is committed to become net zero.

Marks Electrical Group plc

Leicester-based Marks Electrical Group is an online electrical retailer. The group sells, delivers, and installs a wide range of household products using its simple and proven distribution model to offer cost and time-effective delivery to its customers.

Marks Electrical is one of the standout growth businesses on AIM over the past year and has established a name for itself by delivering above average revenue and profit growth, while simultaneously gaining market share. The group achieved a 45% sales CAGR between 2020 to 2023, and, in its most recent financial year, grew sales by 21.5%, despite significant external cost headwinds.

Marks Electrical’s share price is up over 30% in the past year thanks to the group’s compelling value proposition, which provides significant scope and opportunity for growth, regardless of the economic backdrop.

ESG highlights: Marks Electrical Group is committed to its environmental responsibilities and is developing its social strategy. It is a carbon neutral company, with a board consisting 40% of women. The company has partnerships with local communities and is striving towards a culture that embraces health and safety.

Tatton Asset Management plc

Cheshire-based Tatton Asset Management offers on-platform only discretionary fund management, regulatory, compliance and business consulting services to Directly Authorised financial advisers across the UK. This is achieved through two operating divisions: Tatton, the Group's investment management division; and Paradigm, the Group's IFA support services business.

Tatton Asset Management delivered a record level of net inflows and mortgage completions in the year to end March 2023, as reported in the group’s Annual Report. This contributed to Tatton’s continued growth in revenue, adjusted operating profit and fully diluted adjusted EPS. As a result of the group’s record net inflows, AUM/AUI has grown by 22.3% to £13.9bn, leading to a growth in assets of £10bn over the last six years since the group listed on AIM in 2017.

Tatton’s growth strategy continues to be focused on organic development, augmented by appropriate M&A activity. As a result of this, the group has reported revenue increases of 10.1% to £32.3m, while adjusted operating profit rose by 12.9% to £16.4m.

ESG Highlights: In addition to its Ethical Portfolio investment offering, ESG is integral to Tatton Asset Management’s own business model. It is taking action to reduce its carbon footprint as well as developing and reporting on its DEI strategy.

Best Newcomer Award

sponsored by Edison Group

 
The 2023 shortlist:

Aurrigo International plc

Coventry-based Aurrigo is a leading international provider of transport technology solutions. The group designs, engineers and manufactures electric autonomous vehicles and OEM products to the automotive and transport industries.

Aurrigo listed on AIM in September 2022, under challenging market conditions. The group raised £8m on admission, at a placing price of 48p. The success of the listing and fundraise is a testament to the group’s innovative technology and provides Aurrigo with a solid platform for growth. The IPO was identified as the best performing IPO of 2022.

Since floating, the group’s share price has increased 152% from 52.5p to 132.5p and its market cap has grown from £20m to £55.21m. Aurrigo has also continued to deliver on its key IPO objectives. In October 2022, the group signed an agreement with Changi Airport Group for the next phase of development of the Auto-Dolly, its innovative baggage transportation solution for airports, and this was shortly followed by a multi-year partnering agreement with Changi in February 2023.

ESG highlights: ESG is fundamental to Aurrigo’s mission and provides many opportunities to grow its business. The group is investing in reducing its carbon footprint and engaging in DEI initiatives including internships and in-house mentoring.

FADEL Partners, Inc.

Headquartered in New York, FADEL is a developer of cloud-based brand compliance and rights and royalty management software. The group works with some of the world's leading licensors and licensees across media, entertainment, publishing, consumer brands and hi-tech/gaming companies.

FADEL listed on AIM in April 2023, raising £8m in its IPO at a placing price of 144p, giving the group a market cap of around £30m. The funds raised will be used by the group to invest in solutions sales and to conduct research and development to innovate and develop its products.

Since listing, FADEL has consistently executed its growth strategy in line with plans set out at IPO. The group has made strong progress in new customer acquisition and launched new product offerings including Content Tracking, enhancements to Content Cloud capabilities and video matching on YouTube and TikTok.

ESG highlights: Fadel Partners is committed to conducting its business responsibility and reducing its impact on the environment. It has committed to expanding its ESG strategy throughout 2023 and has a board level sustainability committee.

Smarttech247 Group plc

Headquartered in Cork, Smarttech 247 is an MDR (Managed Detection & Response) company and a market leader in Security Operations. The group’s platform provides threat intelligence with managed detection and response to provide actionable insights.

Smarttech 247 listed on AIM in December 2022. The company raised £3.67m through a placing of approximately 12.38m ordinary shares at a price of 30p, giving the group a valuation of £36.8m. The listing was an important milestone for Smarttech 247 and helps establish the group as an industry leader in developing advanced cybersecurity solutions.

Since listing, the group has reported continued revenue and EBITDA growth and is well funded to support its expansion strategy. In addition, Smarttech 247 has secured multiple new contracts secured and increased its headcount by 75%.

ESG highlights: Sustainability is an integral part of Smarttech247 Group’s approach to business. It has 40% female board representation and is taking steps to reduce its carbon footprint. The company focuses on community outreach to support the achievement of the UN Sustainability Development Goals.

Sondrel Holdings plc

Based in Reading, Sondrel a fabless semiconductor company. The group has provided designs for inclusion in products such as Apple iPhone, Sony Playstation, Meta’s Oculus Quest VR headset, Samsung, Google and Sony smartphones and Tesla and Mercedes-Benz cars.

Sondrel was admitted to trading on AIM in October 2022. The group raised £20m at a price of 55p, making it the largest technology IPO undertaken in 2022. The decision by Sondrel to IPO in London was a significant validation of the UK markets over US alternative interest and the support received by a broad range of blue-chip investors validates this.

The funds raised in the IPO have allowed Sondrel to rapidly ramp up its ASIC business and enabled the group to achieve a number of development milestones. Sondrel’s latest results report an increase in revenues of 116% and an increase in its order book of 130%.

ESG highlights: Sondrel recognises that success cannot be at the expense of the environment, its employees, or society. Sondrel has is Data Management ISO accredited and plans to develop its environment strategy.

Entrepreneur of the Year Award

sponsored by Octopus Investments

 
The 2023 shortlist:

Stephen Fenby/Midwich Group plc

Stephen is the Group MD of Midwich. He joined the group as Finance Director in 2004 and became MD in 2010. Prior to this, Stephen worked at Deloitte for sixteen years in the corporate team, having started his career as a Chartered Accountant with Ernst & Young.

Stephen has been the driving force behind Midwich’s acquisition and development programme and is responsible for the group’s exceptional 40% growth in sales to £1.2bn. The group’s rapid expansion has come from organic growth plus a number of significant acquisitions, spearheaded by Stephen, in both the US and the UK, which have helped establish Midwich as a leading European AV distributor.

ESG highlights: Midwich has engaged its stakeholders to develop its ESG strategy with four key areas of focus – reducing its environmental impact, developing a sustainable supply chain, enhancing employee engagement and delivering benefits to customers via its products. It is currently carbon offsetting in its efforts to be carbon neutral.

Euan Fraser/Alpha Financial Markets Consulting plc

Euan was CEO of Alpha from 2013 to 2023. He stepped down from this role in March this year and now acts as a strategic adviser to the Board. Euan was previously CEO of Alpha UK, where he established both Alpha’s M&A Integration and Operations & Outsourcing practices. He joined Alpha in 2004 and has over 20 years’ financial services experience.

During Euan’s tenure as CEO, Alpha FMC’s EBITDA increased almost seven-fold. Euan was responsible for leading the group through two private equity transitions, in addition to overseeing Alpha’s listing on AIM in 2017. Since becoming a public company, Alpha FMC has achieved an unbroken record of growth in revenues and profits. During the past year, Euan has helped Alpha FMC broaden its proposition, expand into new territories and complete several selective acquisitions, enabling the group to become the leading specialist asset and wealth management consultancy in APAC.

ESG highlights: Alpha considers ESG a key element of securing long term value for its business and therefore shareholders. It has established an ESG board level committee and has 50% women on its board. Alpha reports in line with SASB, a Gold rating on EcoVadis, is an accredited Living Wage Employer and is carbon neutral with a commitment to become Net Zero.

Louis Hall/Cerillion plc

Louis Hall is the CEO and founder of Cerillion, having led the management buyout of the original business from Logica in 1999. Louis has worked in the enterprise software industry for over 25 years and prior to forming Cerillion held a number of product, sales and management positions at Logica.

Louis is a visionary leader and his ambition and drive have been credited with Cerillion’s impressive five-year EBITDA CAGR of 30.5% and five-year average yearly share price rise of 58.5%. Louis has continued to focus on the group’s expansion and invest in the group’s product suite and resources to make the company well placed for continued growth. Cerillion’s latest interim results report record highs across all the group’s key performance indicators.

ESG highlights: Cerillion is committed to protecting the environment and contributing to society as part of its growth strategy. It is establishing a board level ESG committee and mobilising its environmental strategy. Cerillion hold the Data Management ISO accreditation.

Mo Khan/hVIVO plc

Mo is CEO of hVIVO, a role he was appointed to in February 2022. He has over 25 years of global clinical research experience across clinical operations, project management, business development and executive management functions.

Under Mo’s leadership hVIVO has focused on developing a substantial orderbook of signed contracts to provide greater visibility and robustness to trading, resulting in a record order book of £76m, a sixfold growth since 2019. Mo has implemented the concurrent running of multiple challenge studies as well as a flexible booking model with quarterly slot assignments, which has provided greater adaptability and maintained higher levels of occupancy at its quarantine clinics. As a result, the group’s interim results showed first half revenue growth of 52% to £27.3m and EBITDA more than doubled to £5.2m.

ESG highlights: hVIVO is committed to operating as a responsible business whilst playing a pivotal role in improving global health through its products and services. It is undertaking carbon reduction activities and implemented a community engagement programme.

Philip Meeson/Jet2 plc

Philip Meeson announced his intention to step down from the role of Executive Chairman at Jet2 in July this year. Philip acquired the business in 1983, when it was a small cargo airline and distribution company, solely focused on flying flowers and fresh produce from the Channel Islands to Bournemouth Airport.

Under Philip’s leadership and guidance Jet2 has become one of the UK’s leading leisure travel businesses. During his tenure Philip has overseen Jet2’s growth, helped the business change its operational focus and guided the company through its float on AIM in 2005. Philip has completely transformed the business and leaves the company in very strong health. Jet2’s financial performance for the year to end March 2023 showed group profit before FX revaluation and taxation increased to £390.8m, 48% higher than the last pre-Covid reporting period.

ESG highlights: Jet2 has established a detailed 2050 Net Zero strategy and reducing its aircraft emissions is central to its sustainability strategy. The group invests in the Sustainable Aviation Fuel industry and is also taking steps to reduce its plastic usage across its operations.

Mark Smithson/Marks Electrical Group plc

Mark founded Marks Electrical in 1987, aged 21, and has overseen the growth of the company ever since. Mark has built strong relationships with key manufacturers over a long period of time and continues to drive and develop the group's strategy and daily business operations.

Mark has all the qualities of a true entrepreneur. Through his determination, work ethic, vision, and ambition, he has transformed a business that began with buying and selling second-hand cookers out of his dad’s garage in Leicester. Mark subsequently built Marks Electrical into a fast growing, technology driven, pureplay, highly successful e-commerce business. Mark was the driving force behind the company’s listing on AIM in 2021, enabling the group to accelerate its growth and significantly expand its brand awareness. In its most recent financial year, Marks Electrical achieved record full-year revenue of £97.8m, up 21%, and EBITDA of £7.5m.

ESG highlights: Marks Electrical Group is committed to its environmental responsibilities and is developing its social strategy. It is a carbon neutral company, with a board consisting 40% of women. The company has partnerships with local communities and is striving towards a culture that embraces health and safety.

Company of the Year Award

sponsored by WH Ireland

 
The 2023 shortlist:

Alpha Group International plc

London-based Alpha Group is a leading non-bank provider of financial solutions dedicated to corporates and institutions. The group operates internationally, providing services to clients situated across three continents to provide an enhanced alternative to traditional banks.

Alpha has specialised in providing FX solutions since its establishment in 2009, however, the group has since evolved and now delivers an increasing range of financial solutions to corporates and institutions, hence the name change from Alpha FX Group to Alpha Group International. Last year the group achieved yet another year of significant growth, with group revenue increasing 27% to £98.3m, underlying profit before tax increasing 16% to £38.6m and reported profit before tax increasing 42% to £47.2m. The group’s strong results were achieved alongside a significant investment in Alpha’s people, processes, and technologies, which have strengthened its foundations for future growth.

ESG highlights: Alpha Group believes sustainable business practices are important for successful growth. It is a carbon neutral company and is committed to an inclusive culture. The group’s senior management is 35% female and on an upward trajectory.

Cerillion plc

London-based Cerillion is a leading provider of mission critical software for billing, charging and customer relationship management, with a 23-year track record in providing comprehensive revenue and customer management solutions. The group has around 80 customers across 44 countries, principally serving the telecommunications market.

Cerillion continues to deliver a solid performance, with all the group’s key KPIs at record highs for a six-month period, including revenue, profit and cash. The group’s revenue is up 27% to £20.5m, reflecting major implementation projects for new customers, in addition to new orders from existing customers, and its annualised recurring revenue is up 34% to £13.1m, which is driven by increased uptake of managed services. Cerillion remains confident of its continued progress, which is supported by its strong back-order book and new customer sales pipeline.

ESG highlights: Cerillion is committed to protecting the environment and contributing to society as part of its growth strategy. It is establishing a board level ESG committee and mobilising its environmental strategy. Cerillion holds the Data Management ISO accreditation.

Jet2 plc

Leeds-based Jet2 is a leading leisure travel group, specialising in friendly low fares from its airline, Jet2.com, in addition to package holidays supplied by jet2holidays. The group was founded in 1983 as a small cargo airline and distribution company, solely focused on flying flowers and fresh produce from the Channel Islands to Bournemouth Airport.

Jet2 came out of the pandemic as the strongest package holiday tour operator, overtaking TUI as the largest provider in the UK. The group maintains a robust financial position, as demonstrated by its strong balance sheet. During the financial year Jet2.com flew a total of 16.22m single sector passengers, an increase of 234%, and saw a 310% increase in customers choosing its package holiday products. The group looks well placed to continue expanding its market share, with a planned £5bn investment in its fleet of planes over the next decade. For the year to end March 23, Jet2 reported overall group operating profit for the year had increased 34% to £394m.

ESG highlights: Jet2 has established a detailed 2050 Net Zero strategy and reducing its aircraft emissions is central to its sustainability strategy. The group invests in the Sustainable Aviation Fuel industry and is also taking steps to reduce its plastic usage across its operations.

Marks Electrical Group plc

Leicester-based Marks Electrical Group aims to be the go-to premium e-retailer for electronic goods in the UK. The group sells, delivers, and installs a wide range of household products using its simple and proven distribution model to offer costand time-effective delivery to customers across the UK.

Marks Electrical is one of AIM’s standout success stories, having delivered above average revenue and profit growth, in addition to gaining market share and winning more customers. Unlike its peers, Marks Electrical has maintained its market-leading profitability, despite external cost headwinds, resulting in a full year adjusted EBITDA of £7.5m in FY23, a 7.7% margin, as reported in its most recent results for year to end March 2023. The group’s compelling value proposition and current share price, which is up 30% in the last year, have provided Marks Electrical with significant scope and opportunity for further growth.

ESG highlights: Marks Electrical Group is committed to its environmental responsibilities and is developing its social strategy. It is a carbon neutral company, with a female representation on the board of 40%. The company has partnerships with local communities and is striving towards a culture that embraces health and safety.

NIOX Group plc

Oxford-based NIOX is a medical device company focused on point of care asthma diagnosis and management. The group’s market-leading NIOX® products are used in clinical settings by physicians around the world to improve asthma diagnosis and management and by leading research organisations conducting clinical studies on behalf of pharmaceutical companies.

Last year was a significant year for Niox, as demonstrated by the impressive turnaround of the business, followed by its material outperformance, with the group delivering five consecutive earnings upgrades and making strong commercial progress across all markets. The group’s interim results for the six months to end June 2023 showed revenue growth of 21% to £18.8m, in addition to an adjusted EBITDA of £6.2m, as a result of increased sales and improved margins.

ESG highlights: NIOX is committed to ESG and has aligned responsibility to a board committee. It is focused on developing its supply chain oversight and their labour code of conduct as well as establishing a community engagement programme in each of its offices. The board of NIOX group is 29% female.

Renew Holdings plc

Leeds-based Renew Holdings provides essential engineering services to maintain and renew critical infrastructure networks. The group’s multidisciplinary engineering services are delivered through its independently branded UK subsidiary businesses.

Renew has established a strong track record of organic growth and margin improvement, which has been complemented by five significant earnings enhancing acquisitions over the past five years. The group experienced a record year, despite a challenging operating environment. Renew’s interim results for the six months to end March 2023 showed group revenue increased 14% to £471.8m and an adjusted operating profit margin of 6.0%. Renew’s EPS has grown from 12.3p in 2013 to 59.5p in 2022.

ESG highlights: Renew Holdings has a purpose-led approach to ESG. The company has made a commitment to be Net Zero by 2040, all its company cars are hybrid or electric and 95% of its waste has been diverted from landfill. It supports STEM initiatives in the community and has trained a high level of mental first-aiders in its team.