Ambition Nation Listed 50

The Ambition Nation Listed 50 identifies the fifty leading smaller UK-listed companies that offer the best blend of growth and quality as ranked by finnCap's equity analysis tool, The Slide Rule. As well as identifying the UK's best companies, Ambition Nation Listed 50 also celebrates the achievements and innovation of these business leaders.

The Slide Rule equity analysis tool provides a consistent, quantitative and rigorous approach to analysing and ranking quoted company performance. Our research shows that quality-growth companies are likely to deliver the best returns to shareholders over time. The universe of companies analysed cover 500 companies with market cap from £30m - £5bn.

Driving Ambition Film Series

As part of the Ambition Nation Listed 50, we took to the road in the back of a London black cab, to dig a litte deeper into what makes these innovative companies tick. 

Each week, renowned broadcaster Rajan Datar interviews CEOs and leaders from the finnCap Ambition Nation Listed 50 to find out more about their growth journey and the key decisions these leaders made to get their companies where they are today.

With the Ambition Nation Summit is entitled 'Decisions, Decisions', we've put together this compilation video of the our subjects' key decision-making moments that propelled their companies.

Watch the Driving Ambition films in full or download as podcasts below

Driving Ambition Episode 1 - Watch the film or download the podcast here

Rajan Datar speaks with Liontrust CEO John Ions about Liontrust’s remarkable growth journey, John’s approach to leadership and how he made those critical, focused decisions for growth, building trust with clients.

Driving Ambition Episode 2 - Watch the film or download the podcast here

Rajan Datar speaks with COO of FDM Group Sheila Flavell, to discuss the importance of diversity and building a culture of owernship when it comes to talent acquisition.

Driving Ambition Episode 3 - Watch the film or download the podcast here

Rajan Datar speaks with Paul Hogarth, CEO of Tatton Asset Management, from the back of a London taxi to discuss Tatton's successful growth journey, and how key partnerships created a better outcome for their clients. ​

Driving Ambition Episode 4 - Watch the film or download the podcast here

Rajan Datar speaks with Simon Cooper, CEO of On The Beach, jump in a black cab to discuss how On The Beach evolved , how innovative tech platforms differentiate you, and what it's like to go public. ​

Driving Ambition Episode 5 - Watch the film or download the podcast here

Rajan Datar speaks with Brendan Mooney, CEO of Kainos, discuss creating and global culture, how innovative tech platforms differentiate you, and what it's like to go public. ​

Cohort of 2019/2020

Cohort of 2018/2019 - The winners

Selection criteria

We will identify these companies using the Slide Rule, an in-house developed quantitative equity analysis tool. First, companies are ranked on a blend of sales growth, EBIT growth and free cash flow return on capital employed. Next, companies are 'stress-tested' for cash flow qualit, dividende affordability (if applicable) and levels of financial leverage, with those failing any of these tests being eliminated. Finally, there is an eligibility test: companies must have their headquarters in the UK; the market capitialisation must be in the range £30m - £1bn; the company must have been listed for at least 12 months. Of those companies remaining, the top 50 are nominated to the Ambition Nation Listed 50.

Award categories

Overall Top Ranked Company

Awarded to the top ranked Ambition Nation Listed 50 company across all sectors.

Overall Best Performing Company

Awarded to the Ambition Nation Listed 50 company across all sectors that has delivered the best share price total return over the last twelve months.

Top ranked and best performing companies in the following sectors:

• Technology
• Consumer
• Financials
• “Best of the Rest”