THE future is looking brighter for businesses in the South according to Hampshire IT specialist Taylor Made Computer Solutions.

The firm, based in Fareham, has taken over the compilation of the Top 500 Companies in the South report, from PWC, which had presented it for the previous 15 years.

The report includes some of Basingstoke’s top names and reveals increased sales, higher profits and an increase in staff.

Based on audited accounts filed at Companies House by December 2, 2014, the report includes information on a range of data, including sales figures, pre-tax profit, net asset value, number of staff and average salaries.

Here in the South, Sunbury-on-Thames-based BP International came top, filing turnover of more than £63.590billion, while Newbury-based Vodafone reported £38.346bn.

Top of the list for Basingstoke-based firms is Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada UK, which has offices at Matrix House, on Basing View, reporting a turnover of £1,324bn.

Next on the list is HM Publishers Holdings, which owns Macmillan Publishers, with a turnover of £1.086bn.

AA Intermediate Company, which forms part of the Acromas Group that owns the AA, was listed fourth with a turnover of £973.6million and Eli Lilly reporting £762.m.

See below for a full list of Basingstoke-based companies featured in the Top 500 companies in the South report.

Tim Walker, managing director of Taylor Made Computer Solutions, said: “The overall picture is positive – it shows a slow but steady rise in turnover and profit as the economy continues to pick up.

“What’s also striking is how much the South’s largest companies contribute – not just in pure financial terms but also in the phenomenal number of people they employ and their contributions to charity and their local communities.

“It’s also a reminder of just how many of the country’s largest companies choose to base themselves in the South, a fact which the business community here justifiably takes a great deal of pride in.”

The complete Top 500 Companies list can be seen by visiting tmcs.co.uk/Top 500.

Basingstoke companies listed in the Top 500 companies in the South report:

Company and turnover:

 

Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada (UK) Ltd   £1,324,765,000

HM Publishers Holdings Ltd   £1,086,616,000

AA Intermediate Co Ltd   £973,600,000

Eli Lilly & Company Ltd   £762,478,000

Motorola Solutions UK Ltd   £538,900,000

De La Rue plc   £513,300,000

Huawei Technologies (UK) Co Ltd   £476,564,000

Game Retail Ltd   £455,877,000

Gist Ltd   £401,096,000

Sanden International (Europe) Ltd   £391,107,000

Genus plc   £372,200,000

Berendsen UK Ltd   £370,886,000

Hogg Robinson Group plc   £340,800,000

Fyffes Group Ltd   £287,190,000

URS Infrastructure & Environment Uk Ltd   £269,602,000

Advantage Resourcing UK Ltd   £267,212,000

Kofax plc   £179,620,000

Linde Material Handling (UK) Ltd   £161,684,000

Arjowiggins Sourcing Ltd   £148,890,000

Arjo Wiggins Fine Papers Ltd   £144,961,000

Hammer plc   £124,957,000

Glory Global Solutions (Int) Ltd   £120,538,000

Taylor Made Golf Ltd   £120,260,000

Kier Facilities Services Ltd   £115,997,000

Oxoid Ltd   £112,093,000

Shire Pharmaceuticals Group   £99,619,000