2022 has already proven to be an eventful year, for the world as a whole and the UK based companies equally.
Much has changed since our last list of “top 15 companies in the UK” made in 2019. Back then everyone still thought that Brexit would be the biggest economic punch for many years to come.
However, the COVID-19 pandemic changed that in 2020, causing among other things: the stock market crash in February, 12-month lockdowns that cut a 126.6 £billion hole in the British SME economy, and the historical GDP decline by 9.7%, last recorded in 1921.
It would seem that it would take decades for the UK economy to bounce back, however yet another record-breaking growth in 2021 of 7.5% put UK as the leading growing economy out of the G7.
Seems like the trend is back upwards for the United Kingdom, but with the recent events in Ukraine, the increase in military spending, various disruptions in logistical chains across Europe and UK, the “great resignation” and the looming energy crisis, we can say with absolute certainty that the next year’s numbers will be drastically different.
According to PwC, the calculated UK GDP growth will drop down to 3.2-4% compared to previous year. It’s still growing, but as much of the world’s companies, many UK based companies will surely feel the heat moving forward into 2023.
Following is the list of the top 30 UK companies by revenue, based on the most recent and up-to-date information, with more data available through our dashboard.
The numbers below are according to annual financial reports all of these England companies declared as of Q1 of 2022.
1. Shell Plc
Shell is part of the “Supermajors“, or “Big Oil” companies. These mega-corporations are considered the leaders in their industry, akin to the “Big Tech” (Google, Amazon, Microsoft etc).
The multinational oil and gas giant, a company with its main offices in London, Shell PLC closed its 2021 year with 214 £billion. A noticeable improvement over the past year, as the pandemic hit the global market, Shell’s 2020 had its record low revenue ever, so this impressive growth is a good factor.
However, as many companies around the globe are being hit by the energy crisis – Shell, likewise, has been going through quite a restructuring and selling some of its assets. Expect the energy sector companies to be hit substantially this year.
Revenue for 2021 – 214 £billion.
2. BP Plc
BP or British Petroleum – is the second largest company in UK according to its revenue, and within the energy sector, it is also a part of the “Big Oil” list.
This British oil & gas company, headquartered in London, has quite a checkered past, with one of its largest achievements holding the record spot of “accidental marine oil spill in the history of the petroleum industry” back in 2010, otherwise known as Deepwater Horizon explosion.
But the tides seem to have turned with BP declaring its highest profit in 8 years on commodity prices. Though recent events are surely to be felt next year.
Revenue closing 2021 – 134 £billion
3. Tesco Plc
Tesco Plc is a multinational grocery retailer, considered the third-largest in the world today, its main offices are in Waylen Garden City, north of London. Though it has shown terrific growth, the current crisis affects not only the energy sector but the food one as well, as such Food prices have been rising at the fastest pace in more than a decade – Thus the future of this chain heavily relies on how they handle the crisis today.
Revenue for 2021 – 57.9 £billion
4. Rio Tinto Group
An Anglo-Australian company, with its primary offices in London, this multinational company is the world’s second-largest metals & mining corporation (slightly behind BHP). It also makes part of the aforementioned categorization as “Big Steel”.
Revenue for 2021 – 52 £billion
5. Legal & General Group Plc
A multinational financial services & assets management company, headquartered in London, UK – Legal & General is the absolute giant for this year when it comes to handling investments, mortgages, pensions, annuities, life insurance, and others.
Revenue for 2021 – 49.8 £billion
6. Unilever Plc
Unilever Plc, headquartered in London, UK, owns over 400 brands. The consumer goods giant products include everything from food, ice cream & coffee, to vitamins, cleaning agents, & beauty products. This impressive scope puts Unilever on the same level as Nestle, PepsiCo & Coca-Cola.
Revenue for 2021 – 45.4 £billion
7. Vodafone Group Plc
A telecommunications operator company with networks in over 22 countries and partnered in over 48 further countries, Vodafone Group Plc is a Telecommunication giant. Its main offices are in Newbury, Berkshire, England.
Recent news claim a potential merger with its UK based competition – EE & O2. It would be making this new corporation the top Telco company in the region, and surely higher on our list of top 30 companies in UK.
Revenue for 2021 – 44.6 £billion
8. Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Ltd
The largest accounting organization and biggest professional service network provider, Deloitte, is headquartered in London, UK. It boasts a very impressive 345.000 employee number and is considered on the “Big Four” accounting firms, many of which will be mentioned in this list.
Revenue for 2021 – 43.8 £billion
9. HSBC Holdings Plc
The second-largest bank in Europe (behind BNP), HSBC plc is a UK based company, with its main offices in London. Operating in more than 64 countries, it is the world’s sixth-largest bank by total assets – 2,958 $trillion.
Recent developments however have pushed HSBC to begin an internal audit for a potential split in the future.
Revenue for 2021 - 40.5 £billion
