Local businesses among Britain's brightest

Eight local businesses have been named in The Telegraph's list of Britain's 1,000 Brightest Businesses

SEVERAL local businesses have received recognition in The Telegraph's list of Britain's 1,000 Brightest Businesses.

Eight businesses from West Berkshire and north Hampshire have been named in the list, including the Camp Hopson department store, Newbury, Turnpike-based technology firm Quantel, Thatcham-based motor sports firm Xtrac and Thomas Hardy Holdings, a Theale-based brewery.

Other Newbury-based businesses listed are Gamma Telecom, Passivsystems and Rebound Technology Group Holdings, along with T.W Electronics, which is based in Burghclere.

The list, which was recently published on the national newspaper's website, calls itself “a celebration of the 1,000 mid-sized companies which have weathered the economic storm and are set to be the foundation of the UK's recovery.”

And the West Berkshire businesses have expressed their delight at being included on the list, which the newspaper website article said was compiled with the help of NESTA and business information specialist Dun & Bradstreet.

The chief executive officer of Quantel, Ray Cross, said: “It's great to be recognised as one of Britain's Brightest Businesses, especially as our sales have since grown a further 30 per cent compared with the published figure.

“At a time when the media is consistently talking down companies' performance, it's good to see The Telegraph highlighting the fact that thousands of businesses are growing and generating jobs.”

Group marketing director at Rebound Electronics, David Myers, said the business had grown steadily since its inception in 2003, adding that it was looking to move forward with further acquisitions.

Meanwhile, development director at Xtrac, Cliff Hawkins, said the firm had enjoyed an excellent year, adding that it was looking to maintain momentum.

He said: “We have just had our record year and considering the economic situation, it is amazing.

“This is recognition of the work we have been doing.”

Managing director of T.W Electronics, Oliver Teece, said the company was pleased and surprised to be listed.

He said: "We have turned a tide and grown significantly in the past 18 months.

"We have had a good year and we probably are bucking the trend."

Meanwhile, the chief executive of Camp Hopson, Jonathan Hopson, said the company's success was probably due to its longevity.

He said: "Our roots go back to 1854 and we are celebrating our 90th anniversary of Camp Hopson.

"As a fifth generation business I am sure that has got something to do with it."

The other businesses listed have not yet responded to Newburytoday.co.uk for comment.