TOP 100: The firms that left the Top 100 - or did they?

Records show that training provider Orca (SPV) Ltd, last year’s 96th placed firm, is in liquidation, explaining its absence this year.

At the other end of the scale, Lakeside 1, the name for Doncaster-based affordable housebuilder Keepmoat, has disappeared from the list after placing fourth last year.

Keepmoat was acquired by TDR Capital LLP and Sun Capital Partners Limited. Following completion, the ultimate UK parent company became Keystone Jvco Limited which is 10th in the Top 100.

The TDR Capital website states: “We identified Keepmoat as the leading player within the social housing maintenance industry, and one of very few national players with a full range of services. However, it was severely constrained by its capital structure and ownership.

“Due to our insight into the business and industry, as well as our strong relationship with management, we were well positioned to acquire Keepmoat and completed the transaction in November 2014.”

Another big hitter, A4E Ltd, the welfare to work company founded by Emma Harrison, was 17th last year.

It was taken over by recruitment company Staffline which had already bought privately-owned work programme company Avanta, for £65m the year before.

A4E was integrated with Avanta and rebranded under the name PeoplePlus, which is headquartered in Nottingham.