Crawley firm '˜among Britain's biggest private companies'

That’s according to the Sunday Times HSBC Top Track 100 league table ranking the UK’s 100 private companies with the biggest sales.

The OCS Group, which is a facilities service provider based in Tilgate, employs nearly 76,000 staff and made £6 million profit last year, according to the league table.

The company is an international business providing support services in a range of areas and is owned by the Goodliffe family.

Also on the list is Crawley-based airline and tour operator Virgin Atlantic which employs more than 9,000 people and is reported to have made £116 million profit last year.

Gatwick Airport, which employs more than 2,500 people, is reported to have made £331 million over the year until the end of March.

The three employers are among 23 companies in the south east that feature in the Sunday Times’ league. Together they achieved sales of more than £29.6bn and profits of £3.4bn in their last financial year, and collectively employ more than 203,000 people.

The highest-ranked company in the region is Hove-based Palmer and Harvey, ranked at No 5 with sales of £4.5bn.

The companies in the south east appear with businesses from around the UK, including high-profile brands such as Clarks, Dyson, New Look and Specsavers.

Dan Howlett, head of corporate banking in the UK at HSBC, said: “At a time of unprecedented uncertainty, we can take real comfort from the dynamic private companies across the UK as recognised by the Top Track 100 league table.

“Firms such as these are fundamental in helping to get Britain back to business during this post-Brexit period of uncertainty and the inevitable challenges ahead.”