Grant Thornton has published Sussex Ltd, its second annual report analysing the county’s top private businesses. This year’s report shows the Sussex business landscape in 2025 is defined by resilience, strength and innovation. Headline figures show that Sussex’s top 100 privately-owned companies achieved a combined turnover of £6.2 billion – a 14.5 percent increase from the previous year and employ nearly 23,000 people. The region’s businesses have also grown their total EBITDA (Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortisation) to £498 million.
Two sectors driving the Sussex economy are manufacturing with 37% of the total turnover (£2.3 billion) and employing 4,000 people, and the consumer sector which accounts for 29 percent (£1.8 billion) and employs 9,000 people. These sectors are the engines of the Sussex economy, driving growth, creating jobs and underpinning the county’s reputation as a centre for excellence and enterprise.
Brighton & Hove and Crawley stand out as the leading business hubs in Sussex. Brighton & Hove leads the way with 15 businesses featured in the Top 100, showcasing the city’s vibrant entrepreneurial spirit. Crawley, meanwhile, boasts 14 businesses on the list and claims the highest total turnover of any Sussex town at £822 million, a testament to its status as a commercial powerhouse within the county.
This year’s report also celebrates the top 15 largest international subsidiaries of internationally owned companies by turnover. These businesses collectively generated over £3.7bn in turnover.
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