Shire Leasing earns spot in FT growth champions list

Shire Leasing PLC has been named one of Europe’s Long-Term Growth Champions in the Financial Times’ latest ranking, securing the 300th position in the 2026 edition of the list. The recognition highlights businesses that have delivered consistent, organic revenue growth over a decade marked by economic turbulence, global disruption and shifting market conditions.

The Financial Times, in partnership with research provider Statista, assessed thousands of eligible companies across 26 European countries, ultimately identifying the 300 organisations with the highest disclosed compound annual growth rates (CAGR) between 2014 and 2024. To qualify, companies were required to generate at least €100,000 in revenue in 2014 and €10 million in 2024, remain independent, and demonstrate primarily organic growth.

Shire Leasing’s inclusion marks its first appearance in the ranking. The company said the achievement reflects a decade of steady performance, underpinned by long-term investment in technology, customer service and innovative finance solutions for UK businesses.

“Our inclusion reflects the dedication of our team, the trust of our customers, and our commitment to delivering innovative finance solutions that empower businesses to thrive,” the company said in a statement.

This year’s list is only the second edition of the ranking, which has quickly become a barometer for sustainable expansion in Europe’s private sector. The 10-year period assessed includes the COVID-19 recession, the economic shocks following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the surge in inflation that affected businesses across the continent.

Finland’s Virta Global topped the 2026 list with a CAGR of 87.44 per cent, followed by Lithuania-based Hostinger. While IT and software firms dominated the ranking – comprising 18 per cent of listed companies – traditional sectors including construction, engineering, manufacturing and energy also made a strong showing.

Italy led the ranking with 65 companies, followed by the UK with 52, Germany (47), France (46) and Spain (29).

The full list of Europe’s Long-Term Growth Champions 2026 is available on the Financial Times website.