The North West's 50 most profitable companies have been revealed following exclusive research by Insider, with a water company, a credit card provider and an oil giant all battling it out for top spot in the rankings.
The annual Profit 50 list, which is compiled using Insider's Top 500 and SME 300 databases, ranks the region's larger businesses in terms of annual pre-tax profits. Only companies that have achieved positive profit growth throughout the five-year reporting period are considered.
Topping the 2017 rankings are Warrington-headquartered United Utilities (annual pre-tax profits of £353.5m), followed by Chester-based credit card provider MBNA (£193.4m) and Ellesmere Port oil company Essar Oil UK (£175m).
Rounding off the top five are Speke-headquartered discount retailer B&M (£168.1m) and Manchester-based online car marketplace Auto Trader (£155m).
Other notable names to make the cut include Speke-based online retailer Shop Direct (tenth with £105.6m) and Cheadle-headquartered financial services group Together (13th with £90.3m). Meanwhile, Manchester-headquartered commercial property company Bruntwood (22nd with £67.9m) came in just ahead of Premier League giants Manchester City (23rd with £66.8m)
Read more at insidermedia.com