The Lakes Distillery has been identified as one of London Stock Exchange Group’s ‘1000 Companies to Inspire Britain’ 2020. The report recognises the UK’s fastest-growing and most dynamic small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs)*, highlighting the regional and sector diversity of the UK’s SMEs and the entrepreneurial spirit shown by these companies.
To be featured in the report, businesses had to demonstrate strong revenue growth over the last three years and outperform their sector peers, creating a unique list of the UK’s most innovative SMEs. Further details on the 1000 Companies to Inspire Britain report and methodology can be found online at www.1000companies.com.
Founded in 2011 and taking inspiration from their home in the Lake District National Park UNESCO World Heritage Site, The Lakes Distillery has built a state-of-the-art whisky distillery within a 160-year-old farmstead on the banks of the River Derwent. Alongside creating a collection of internationally acclaimed whiskies, gins and vodka, they were named as one of the VisitEnglands top visitor attractions in 2019.
Nigel Mills CBE, co-founder and CEO, The Lakes Distillery:
"We are delighted to have been recognised by The London Stock Exchange Group as one of the 1,000 Companies to Inspire Britain. As a whiskymaker with an artistic ethos, we are on a continuous journey of improvement, working toward our vision of creating a global luxury single malt whisky brand. Still a relatively young business, following ten years of planning and six years of production, we have invested heavily to attract some of the most talented people possible to join us and are in the process of scaling up operations. To receive this honour at this stage in our journey is truly humbling."
David Schwimmer, CEO, London Stock Exchange Group:
"This report highlights the vital role of SMEs in driving economic growth, leading innovation and providing jobs across the UK. In this challenging year for businesses, it is more important than ever to shine a light on these stories of resilience and entrepreneurship. The success of UK SMEs is crucial as we rebuild a post-COVID-19 economy, and London Stock Exchange Group is committed to helping growth companies achieve their potential."
The Rt Hon John Glen MP, Economic Secretary to the Treasury:
"SMEs are the engine room of our economy. They have risen to the immense challenges of this year with resilience and ingenuity, and we are proud to support them with one of the most generous and comprehensive packages for businesses anywhere in the world. It is more important than ever that we champion the companies in this year’s 1000 Companies to Inspire Britain report and many others like them - they are creating jobs, spurring on our economic recovery, and building the industries of the future."
A full searchable database of all of the companies along with a downloadable pdf of the publication can be found online at www.1000companies.com
*Company data as of December 2019 is included in this report.