THE IMPACT of the world’s longest recession is still being felt, the economic recovery still fragile. Thankfully there are companies out there achieving sustainable growth, creating jobs and building back the economy. As part of a landmark initiative, The Argus has teamed up with asb law, Reeves and Lloyds to create Sussex Super Growth – the ultimate list of high-growth companies in the county. Business editor Finn Scott-Delany reports.

AFTER a torturous economic slump stretching back some seven years, 2014 has been the year recovery has really started to take hold.

The green shoots promised in 2013 have made a tenuous appearance with a renewed mood of buoyancy sweeping the county’s business community.

Success stories provide useful, anecdotal evidence of business triumphs, while awards are a chance for directors and staff to seek recognition.

But both are a subjective measure of success and do not tell the whole picture.

Enter Sussex Super Growth, the first attempt to produce a definitive index of the county’s best- performing companies.

With rigorous criteria and for companies with more than £1 million turnover, Super Growth is all about celebrating wealth-creating, jobs-generating business.

The groundbreaking initiative also aims to shine a light on the unsung heroes of the economic recovery in far-flung regions of the county.

It is a partnership between asb law, Reeves accountants and Lloyds Commercial Banking – with The Argus as media partner.

Greg Burgess, senior partner at asb law’s Gatwick office, explained: “Ask any business leader what underpins their medium to long- term strategy and the answer should be ‘achieving profitable, sustain- able growth.’ “

But achieving and sustaining that growth is not easy, even in a more positive economic environment.

“That is why we were passionate about launching the Sussex Super Growth Awards to recognise the businesses that are doing exactly that.

“These are the businesses that will provide the backbone of the economy our children will work in – creating jobs, occupying property and generating wealth within our region.”

Reeves, asb law, and Lloyds have whittled down a long list to a short-list of eligible companies, with letters winging their way out to successful businesses.

Mr Burgess added: “If your business receives a letter from the Sussex Supergrowth team then you are most definitely one of the businesses of the future.

“For you, this will be a great chance to celebrate your own success, to increase your brand exposure in the region, and to attract the best talent. All of this with no cost and minimal effort.

“asb law has been working with high growth businesses in Sussex for over 40 years. We have supported Sussex-based businesses across a range of industries in navigating the everyday challenges and believe that those that have survived the world’s longest recession, let alone shown sustainable growth, deserve to cele- brate and be congratulated.”

Reeves accountants, which recently moved from Horley to Crawley is another firm using its local expertise to help draw up the Super Growth.

Partner Shirley Smith explained: “As one of the major accountancy and financial services firms practicing in the South East of England, and more importantly having very recently moved our Gatwick office into Sussex, Reeves are proud to be sponsoring the Sussex Super Growth Awards.

“Our firm is known for its award-winning tax and financial advice, having won ‘Accountancy Firm of the Year’ at the 2013 M&A Awards, twice being voted the UK’s best tax practice in the LexisNexis UK Tax Awards, and recently being announced as finalist for two awards at the 2014 British Accountancy Awards, so we know how important such recognition is for businesses.

“I see the launch of the Sussex Super Growth Awards as an important initia- tive for Sussex businesses.

Those companies making the shortlist will be recognised as a growing business, having gone from strength to strength during difficult trading times.

“There is a good mix of industries represented, with manufacturers, distributers, the motor industry, hospitality and leisure, and building suppliers all making the shortlist, and it is extremely encouraging and exciting to know that we have a great variety of successful companies and industries represented in Sussex.”

Third but not least in the partnership is Lloyds Bank’s Gatwick Commercial team.

Graham Hollis, relationship director, said: “Despite the global economic chal- lenges and uncertainties faced by UK business in recent times, it is gratifying to see so many Sussex companies across all sectors achieving strong profitable growth.

“The launch of the Sussex Super Growth awards provides a great opportunity to recognise and celebrate the success of the region’s businesses and their talented management teams.

“With the economic recovery now well underway, unemployment falling and order books strong, Sussex businesses can look forward to the future with renewed confidence.

“At Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking, we are committed to supporting the kind of innovative and entrepreneurial businesses we see shortlisted for the Super Growth awards.

“By providing a comprehensive range of tailored funding solutions, we can help firms to develop and make the most of emerging growth opportunities.

“The SME and Commercial business sectors are vital to the UK’s continued prosperity, and our dedicated teams work as trusted business advisors to help build on the buoyant optimism in the area.

“Having been named Business Bank of the Year in the FD’s Excellence Awards for the past nine years, Lloyds Bank looks forward to working with as many of these businesses as possible, supporting their investment plans and helping their continued growth and prosperity.”

In 2011 the Government created Local Enterprise Partnerships to drive initiatives for growth and job creation, and assist business leaders and politicians with investment strategies.

Sussex is a major contributor across two LEPs – East Sussex being part of the South East LEP, and West Sussex and Brighton and Hove a member of the Coast to Capital LEP. Between them these represent the interests of over 5.8 million people and over 215,000 businesses, providing 2,076,000 jobs.

The Sussex region is a significant and growing contributor to the national economy.

Some 45,000 businesses represent £20.7 billion GDP in the Gatwick Diamond alone.

The region has sector strengths in man- ufacturing, advanced engineering, con- struction, finance and professional services, and aviation, to name a few.

It is also seeing a significant contribution from the technology sector.

Mr Burgess added: “With the advantage of a growing major international airport in the region, the Sussex business community is rightly looking to feed off that growth as businesses look to innovate and grow, to enter new markets, and to attract the best talent.

“If we are talking about the economy, it is important to recognise that UK growth still has some way to go to get beyond a “fragile” description, but with average growth of over 60% across the shortlisted organisations, this reflects an excellent start and a solid foundation to build on.”

Michael Beard, editor of The Argus, the media partner of the scheme, added: “Our supplement Business Matters is all about celebrating success and we’ve been chronicling the eco- nomic recovery with our Good News campaign since early 2014.

“The awards are a great opportunity to recognise and reward the dozens of companies that are bringing growth, prosperity and jobs to the county of Sussex.

“Some will be very well known. But a number may have gone under the radar for quite some time, so we’re delighted to be able to give them a platform and to celebrate their success.”

Bottles of sparkling wine from Ridgeview Wine Estate in Ditchling will be provided to shortlisted companies at a meeting to discuss the awards.

Tony Mernagh executive director of the Brighton and Hove Economic Partnership, pictured, will speak at the awards, which will be held at the American Express Community Stadium on March 5.

Two attendees from each shortlisted company will be invited to attend.