SEARCH FOR 2009 WALES FAST GROWTH 50 LAUNCHED

Today sees the launch of the eleventh Wales Fast Growth 50 project, the annual search for the fastest growing Welsh companies.

The impact of a small group of companies should not be underestimated. Since we started with the first publication eleven years ago, 317 firms have appeared on the ten lists published in the Western Mail. As with all dynamic economies, some businesses have fallen by the wayside. However, it is estimated that, together, these fast growth companies have created around 15,000 jobs and have generated around £3.8 billion of additional turnover into the Welsh economy, much of which is spent on local goods and services.

First published by the Western Mail in 1999, this unique initiative has become firmly established as the list of business success which entrepreneurs across Wales aspire. Up to now, the list has been limited to SMEs – those employing less than 250 employees - but after a decade, the criteria has been changed to include all Welsh business, regardless of size.

The 2009 list of the fastest growing firms in Wales will appear in a special supplement, sponsored by the University of Wales’ Global Academy, which will be published by the Western Mail on Wednesday, November 4^th 2009.

HOW TO GET ONTO THE 2009 FAST GROWTH 50 LIST

To qualify for the Fast Growth 50 2009 competition, firms should:

· Be independent (not a branch plant or wholly own subsidiary of a non-Welsh based company)

· Had sales of at least £250,000 in 2006

· Be based in Wales

Rankings will be based on percentage growth of revenues from 2006 to 2008.

The closing date for entries is July 10^th 2009.

For further information, contact fastgrowth50@wales.ac.uk

or download the full application form HERE