SmartSearch rises in FT list of fast-growing European firms

Yorkshire-based anti-money-laundering (AML) firm SmartSearch has moved up more than 300 places in the Financial Times’ annual list of the fastest-growing European companies.

The FT 1000 lists the European companies that have achieved the highest growth rate over 2015–2018. SmartSearch’s placing at 596 compares with its 917^th position in last year’s list, on the back of revenue growth of 281% across the period.

SmartSearch is also one of the top 20 fastest-growing fintech firms.

According to the FT, competition was even tougher at the top this year, with companies requiring a minimum growth rate of 38.4% per year to make the list, compared to 37.7% last year.

SmartSearch’s annualised growth rate over the period was 56.2% placing the firm in an elite group that have more than trebled their revenue over the three-year period.

James Dobson, marketing director at SmartSearch said: "This is an immense achievement for SmartSearch and all our dedicated staff. When you see a household name like JustEat on the list and then realise that you are growing faster than them, you know you must be doing something right.

“We have achieved this result through a best-in-class product but also through our commitment to outstanding customer service. We have a 98% client retention rate which has provided a firm basis for the strong growth we have experienced in recent years.

“We expect to continue rising up the list in the future too, as we have continued to achieve significant increases in business from new and existing clients, and have begun the expansion of our operation into the North American market.”

The full FT 1000 list can be found at: https://www.ft.com/reports/europes-fastest-growing-companies