23. Civica - £99.6m

The software and services firm enjoyed a stellar FY11, with UK sales growing 13.6 per cent. Operating profit was also on an upward curve, rising from £17.5m to £19.2m, leaving margins at a healthy-looking 19.3 per cent. Recently the company’s private equity owner 3i announced it would look to either sell or float the company in the coming months.