Top 500 companies list published, and business leaders given warning on south's economy

Tim Walker, managing director of Taylor Made Computer Solutions

The Taylor Made Computer Solutions Top 500 Companies in the South report, which includes 24 businesses in Portsmouth and the surrounding area and was published today, paints a picture of cautious optimism tempered with uncertainty.

The report shows that the listed companies in Portsmouth, Fareham, Havant, Waterlooville and Denmead pulled in a combined turnover of £9.5bn during 2015.

That figure is slightly down on the previous year’s total of £9.8bn with the top company, Portsmouth-based IBM, reporting sales of £3.6bn – down on the previous year’s £3.9bn.

Taylor Made Computer Solutions managing director Tim Walker, said: ‘These results make fascinating reading, and show a very uncertain pattern across the region.

‘I’d still describe the mood in the south as one of cautious optimism, and there is evidence that the recovery is continuing, but the pattern of growth is more inconsistent than we would prefer.

‘These results are an amber rather than red light for the economy. That said, it is almost impossible to overestimate the impact that these huge companies have on the region.

‘They provide thousands of jobs and contribute billions of pounds to the region each year, ensuring the south continues to be rightly seen as a great place to live, work and do business.’

THIS AREA’S BIG HITTERS

Company Area 2015 turnover 2014 turnover

IBM United Kingdom Portsmouth £3,672,200,000 £3,954,300,000

NATS Holdings Fareham £922,400,000 £917,600,000

Matchtech Group Fareham £502,293,000 £451,591,000

Estee Lauder Cosmetics Fareham £491,423,000 £446,298,000

Specsavers Optical Superstores Fareham £433,826,000 £392,606,000

GBRE GWS Ltd W’ville £357,771,000 £512,230,000

The Southern Co-operative Portsmouth £350,505,000 £326,716,000

Eaton Aerospace Ltd Fareham £317,370,000 £163,729,000

Kenwood Ltd Havant £307,431,000 £232,421,000

The Innovation Group Fareham £209,772,000 £204,431,000

Fat Face Group Havant £205,401,000 £200,151,000

Seagate Systems (UK) Havant £185,683,000 £534,500,000

Wiggle Portsmouth £179,212,000 £167,914,000

Covidien Commercial Fareham £156,731,000 £159,060,000

CooperVision Manufacturing Fareham £153,860,000 £156,242,000

Colt Investments Havant £146,012,000 £151,982,000

Fusion People Fareham £141,012,000 £124,730,000

Pall Europe Portsmouth £134,080,000 £122,658,000

Gemalto UK Fareham £133,377,000 £114,854,000

Serocor Holdings Havant £120,251,000 £109,369,000

CRI/Criterion Catalyst Company Fareham £119,724,000 £130,548,000

Wartsila UK Ltd Havant £108,252,000 £105,758,000

SMR Automotive Mirrors UK Fareham £105,255,000 £101,868,000

Lens On-line Fareham £103,281,000 £95,014,000