TODAY we are proud to launch Sussex Super Growth 2017.

This is a unique index of the 60 fastest growing businesses across the region, and their success will be celebrated at a special awards event at the Amex Stadium in March 2017.

It is sponsored by asb law, Lloyds Bank and Kreston Reeves, in partnership with The Argus.

Sussex has more than 80,000 businesses employing more than 650,000 people and contributes more than £34 billion to the economy.

And the awards bash will celebrate their continued prominence.

Argus Editor Mike Gilson said: "It’s vitally important that we continue to celebrate the success of those Sussex-based companies that are driving rising demand, increasing employment and generating wealth and prosperity.

"The Sussex Super Growth Awards 2017 return for a third successive year to do just that."

With the UK’s second largest international airport on its doorstep, a close proximity to the nation’s capital and well-established transport links, Sussex is a great place for businesses to prosper.

The turnover of all Sussex-based businesses is assessed over a three-year accounting period using filed information at Companies House to identify the fastest growing companies.

The top 60 companies are selected as Sussex Super Growth finalists.

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.

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

Russell Bell, Senior Consultant, at asb law, said: "Sussex has major business strengths in construction, manufacturing, information and communications technology, aviation and professional services.

"Sussex Super Growth provides a welcome opportunity to celebrate the success of companies that are creating wealth and generating jobs across the region."

Graham Hollis, Relationship Director for Lloyds Commercial Banking, said: "With the Super Growth Awards now an established fixture on the Sussex business calendar, we look forward to joining in another successful campaign in 2017, and to recognising and celebrating the achievements of our most successful fast-growth companies."

Paul Roe, partner at Kreston Reeves, said: "As one of the leading accountancy and financial service firms practising across the South East of England, and with four offices in Sussex, Kreston Reeves is proud to be sponsoring the Sussex Super Growth Awards again this year.

"It’s always great to see Sussex businesses doing well and these awards are unique in their ability to pick up fantastic success stories of businesses who don’t always shout about it.

"We continue to work with high growth businesses in Sussex and know the challenges that they have to navigate in order to generate and sustain growth.

"We are delighted to be supporting great businesses in getting the recognition they so deserve, and making Sussex such a great place to do business."

Argus Business reporter Peter Lindsey said Business Matters will feature some of the finalists in the coming months.

He said: "Our weekly supplement Business Matters is all about celebrating success and 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."

The Sussex Super Growth 2017 Awards will be presented at the American Express Community Stadium by well known broadcaster and business consultant Simon Fanshawe OBE, where all finalists and the fastest-growing company will be announced.

The fastest-growing company in last year’s Sussex Super Growth Awards was Comms Factory Group Ltd with 311 per cent growth.

The business and its principal subsidiary Dual Energy Ltd are based in Worthing and the company found success after narrowing its services to focus on the efficient supply of energy for businesses, helping its customers manage their energy usage and reduce their bills.

Chief Executive Michael Thornley said at the time; "Winning the award is a fantastic achievement for Dual Energy and is a testament to the energetic growth enjoyed in recent years."

Kingscote Rojay Ltd and Keysource Ltd shared the honours in 2015 with an identical growth rate of 135 per cent.

THIRD GENERATION OF ENGINEERS CELEBRATES 100 PER CENT GROWTH

IN 2016 a three-generation family firm of engineers that rebuilt Sussex after the war – and is still rebuilding Brighton seafront – was celebrated after achieving growth figures of more than 100 per cent.

C J Thorne was founded as a two-lorry haulage business near Uckfield by Charles James Thorne in 1939 after he was invalided from the Army.

With engineer brothers Frank and Leslie they built the business buying ex-war department bulldozers.

More recently it has been contracted to work on Brighton and Hove’s coastal defences and rebuild the King’s Road arches.

The company was one of 60 celebrated as part of last year’s Sussex Super Growth Awards after it achieved huge growth.

Managing director Chris Thorne, grandson of founder Charlies, said at the time:”We’ve got a proud record, with a third generation of family management – though historically it’s usually the third generation that trashes the company.”

Albion director Ray Bloom made the Super Growth shortlist with his Hove company Regent Exhibitions, which puts on two of the biggest global conferences, IMEX Frankfurt and IMEX America, and had achieved 65 per cent growth.

Shoreham based Focus Group, which employs more than 200 staff, was third overall with growth of 167 per cent.

The sponsors for 2017 are Lloyds Bank, Kreston Reeves and asb law, which has offices in Crawley and Maidstone.

Lloyds Bank says it is committed to playing a part in the country’s economic growth by helping brilliant British businesses succeed.

Kreston Reeves are chartered accountants and financial advisers based in London and the South East.