As part of a weekly series, BusinessCloud is highlighting updates from some of the companies featured in our Founder 250 list.
The UK-wide list celebrates 250 of the country’s best founder-led and founder-influenced businesses.
RSM UK is the headline sponsor of Founder 250, alongside law firm CG, property specialist OBI and investor Mercia Ventures.
1. Group55 lands awards hat-trick at BIBAs
Chorley-based manufacturer Group55 has walked away with three awards at the BIBAs 2026.
Stephen Turner founded the company in 1999 with just £700 and it is on track to hit £21m+ turnover in the current financial year.
On Friday, the company was named Medium Business of the Year, Scale Up Business of the Year and, the big one, Business of the Year.
Group55 is a private-label personal care, pet care and home care product manufacturer and employs around 140 people.
Stephen Turner founded Group55 in 1999 with just £700
This year’s awards ceremony, which celebrates Lancashire’s top companies and entrepreneurs, was held at the Blackpool Tower Ballroom.
It was also a good night for companies included in BusinessCloud’s Founder 250 list, as The Secret Garden Glamping was named Service Business of the Year.
The Secret Garden Glamping was founded in 2020 by Derry Green and was featured on Dragons’ Den.
2. Sweeny hands over baton at de Novo Solutions
Welsh technology firm de Novo Solutions has appointed Lynette Slater as its new chief executive, while founder Mark Sweeny has taken on the role of executive chairman.
Sweeny has grown de Novo Solutions to a team of 150 and into the fastest-growing tech firm in Wales.
Lynette Slater and Mark Sweeny of de Novo Solutions
Slater, who has more than 30 years of experience within insurance, financial services and software organisations, has previously worked at Logicwave, ICE InsureTech and Allianz.
Sweeny, who previously sold Certus Solutions to Accenture, said it was time to pass the baton on but insisted he wouldn’t be ‘walking off into the sunset away from de Novo Solutions’ just yet.
4. Tropic Skincare holds its biggest-ever Glammies event
Tropic Skincare, the fast-growing beauty brand created by The Apprentice star Susie Ma, has just held its biggest-ever Glammies event.
The Glammies is the company’s annual Ambassador event and brings Tropic Skincare’s community together from across the UK under one roof.
Susie Ma, founder of Tropic Skincare, at The Glammies
This year’s event took place at the NEC Birmingham and was attended by 4,500 Ambassadors.
Ma, who has grown Tropic Skincare into a $100m+ revenue business, revealed the event had raised more than £260,000 for its two partner charities – Women’s Aid and the young adult mental health charity Nessie.
5. Vivify appoints Lisa Bower to senior role
Vivify, the Manchester tech startup that helps schools hire out facilities outside teaching hours, has appointed Lisa Bower as its new head of school advocacy and engagement.
Bower, who joins from one of the company’s partner schools, Marple Hall School, has seen the positive impact Vivify can have first-hand.
She joins with 15 years of experience in education, including roles as a school business manager and CFO.
Lisa Bower has joined Vivify
She will work closely with schools across the country in her new role, helping them make the most of their facilities to generate additional revenue.
Vivify was co-founded in 2020 by Russell Teale and today employs 500 people. It is set to grow turnover to £12m this year.
6. FuelHub launches new brand for children aged 4-11
Premium meal prep delivery firm FuelHub has launched a new food brand for children aged between four and 11.
The Warrington-based business was founded in 2019 by former rugby league player James Laithwaite and his future wife Michelle on the day their son Stanley was born.
Seven years later, the business has a turnover of £6.5m, employs 50 people, makes 23,000 meals a week and has a partnership with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom.
In July, the husband-and-wife team made BusinessCloud’s Founder 250 list, which celebrates 250 of the UK’s best founder-led and founder-influenced businesses.
CEO Michelle Laithwaite said their son Stanley and his school friends played a key role in the launch of FuelHub JNR.
She explained: “They tasted, tested, challenged, rejected, changed and approved.”
7. The Beauty Tech Group’s shares soar after H1 results
Shares in The Beauty Tech Group plc soared following publication of its half-year results.
For the six months ended 30th June, revenue increased by 44.3% to £79.7m (H1 FY2025: £55.2m).
Profit before tax increased by a huge 250% to £17.5m (H1 FY2025: £5m), reflecting strong margin growth and the removal of financing costs before its £300m IPO in October 2025.
The Beauty Tech Group, based in Cheshire, owns brands including CurrentBody Skin, ZIIP Beauty and Tria Laser, which are used by stars such as Serena Williams and Kim Kardashian.
The Beauty Tech Group was founded by Laurence Newman and Andrew Showman.