4.
NetNames News
NetBenefit
recognised by Deloitte & Touche as Technology Fast
50 Winner
~
Leading UK Internet Solutions Provider in Top 10 ~
NetBenefit
plc (encompassing the NetNames and NetBenefit brands),
a leading UK Internet business solutions provider, has
been named as one of the Deloitte & Touche Technology
Fast 50 award winners.
Deloitte
& Touche created the Technology Fast 50 to reach out
to UK technology companies and champion innovation in
the sector. The programme tracks the growth rates of technology
companies in seven regions in the UK and Ireland, culminating
in a national ranking in May 2001.
At
a ceremony last night, Deloitte & Touche unveiled
its fourth annual ranking of London and the South East's
fastest growing technology companies. NetBenefit was placed
tenth in the region's rankings, after unveiling a growth
rate of 505% between 1998 and 2000.
"This
is a great endorsement of NetBenefit's achievements, and
we're delighted to be featured in the Technology Fast
50 at such a high position for the second year in succession,"
said Geoff Wicks, CEO of NetBenefit.
"After
acquiring NetNames and listing on the London Stock Exchange
at the start of 2000, we have pushed ahead with our expansion
plans and are launching a new suite of domain name management
tools for the corporate and intellectual property markets
shortly. The aim is to capitalise on demand for this new
service not only here in the UK, but internationally as
well," he continued.
The
Technology Fast 50 programme seeks out those companies
that have shown impressive growth rates in the telecommunications,
hardware, software and biotechnology markets over the
last three financial years. All companies considered for
the award must be headquartered in the London or South
East region, must be technology-intensive or use unique
technology in problem solving, or must devote a high percentage
of effort to research and development.
"We
are delighted to see 24 of last year's 50 companies have
reappeared in this year's list. Their return demonstrates
that they have the essential ingredients for resilience
in the UK economic downturn - good business management
combined with a focus on the quality of their sales process,
product differentiation and good people," said William
Touche, Chairman of the Technology Fast 50.
"It is all the more vital that the companies who
continue to demonstrate strong growth are recognised accordingly
for their strong management teams as they are the key
to innovation and employment growth in the region and
the UK as a whole," he added.
In
this year's ranking, the lowest growth rate from 1998
to 2000 is an impressive 58% with the highest at 4,652%.
Software companies dominated the list at 60 per cent,
while telecommunication, Internet services provider and
equipment manufacturers shared the rest of the list.
