Top 10 brands in the UK
Business Chief EMEA takes a closer look at 10 brands in the UK and Ireland ranked by revenue.
Shell — US$344.9bn
Founded in 1907, Shell began its operations as a small trading company in London. The company first began importing seashells to cater for the growing use of shells for interior design. 120 years on, Shell is one of the world’s largest independent British-Dutch energy companies with operations in over 70 countries.
Revenue: US$344.9bn
Headquarters: The Hague, Netherlands
Executive: Ben van Beurden, CEO
BP — US$282.6bn
Established in 1902, BP has a diverse portfolio, delivering heat, light and mobility products and services around the world to drive the transition to a lower carbon future. “Our purpose is reimagining energy for people and our planet. We want to help the world reach net zero and improve people’s lives.”
Revenue: US$282.6bn
Headquarters: London, England
Executive: Bernard Looney, CEO
Tesco — US$80.5bn
Dating back to 1919, Tesco -today — is one of the UK’s leading retailers with more than 400,000 colleagues, serving millions of customers a week.
In 1919, Jack Cohen began selling groceries from a stall in the East End. It was not until 1924 that the name ‘Tesco’ was born, derived from the initials of TE Stockwell — a partner in the company — and Jack Cohen’s surname.
Revenue: US$80.5bn
Headquarters: Hertfordshire, England
Executive: Dave Lewis, CEO
HSBC — US$56.1bn
Founded in 1965, HSBC was established by a scotsman — Thomas Sutherland — based in Hong Kong. The same year Sutherland opened two HSBC offices, one in Victoria, Hong Kong and the other in London, England to facilitate exchanges between the two.
Today HSBC is one of the largest banking and financial services organisations in the world, serving over 40 million customers. “We aim to be where the growth is, connecting customers to opportunities, enabling businesses to thrive and economies to prosper, and ultimately helping people to fulfil their hopes and realise their ambitions.”
Revenue: US$56.1bn
Headquarters: London, England
Executive: Noel Quinn, CEO
Vodafone — US$54.9bn
Established in 1982, Vodafone is a leading provider of connectivity, convergence, the Internet of Things (IoT), mobile financial services and digital transformation in emerging markets.
After making the first mobile call in the UK in 1985, Vodafone has grown into an international business with mobile operations in 22 countries, partnerships with mobile networks in 42, and provides fixed broadband in 17 markets.
Revenue: US$54.9bn
Headquarters: Berkshire, England
Executive: Nick Read, CEO
Deloitte — US$46.2bn
Dating back to 1845, Deloitte is a leading consultant, providing global provider of audit and assurance, consulting, financial advisory, risk advisory, tax, and other related services.
Every day Deloitte strives to work in innovative ways with government, non-profit organisations, and civil society to design and deliver solutions that contribute to a sustainable and prosperous future.
Revenue: US$46.2bn
Headquarters: London, England
Executive: Punit Renjen, CEO
PwC — US$42.4bn
Established in 1998, the consultant’s purpose is “to build trust in society and solve important problems. It is this focus which informs the services we provide and the decisions we make.”
PwC’s strategy is built around five priorities:
- Be technology enabled
- Deliver exceptional value to its clients
- Empower its people
- Lead by example
- Invest in sustainable growth
Revenue: US$42.4bn
Headquarters: London, England
Executive: Kevin Ellis, Chairman and Senior Partner
EY — US$36.4bn
Founded in 1989, EY’s purpose remains true today — to build a better working world. “In a world that’s changing faster than ever, our purpose acts as our ‘North Star’ guiding our more than 280,000 people — providing the context and meaning for the work we do every day […] We believe a better working world is one where economic growth is sustainable and inclusive. “
Revenue: US$36.4bn
Headquarters: London, England
Executive: Carmine Di Sibio
BT — US$29.5bn
Driven by its purpose “to use the power of communications to make a better world,” BT has been operating for 40 years, since 1980.
As one of the leading Telecommunication companies in the world, BT strives to “serve the needs of customers in the UK and in 180 countries worldwide.” Its main operations include fixed-line services, broadband, mobile and TV products and services as well as networked IT services.
Revenue: US$29.5bn
Headquarters: London, England
Executive: Philip Jansen
Barclays — US$27.25bn
Dating back to 1896, Barclays moves, lends, invests and protects money. The organisation’s common purpose is to create opportunities to rise. “We are a company of opportunity makers working together to help people rise — customers, clients, colleagues and society.”
Revenue: US$27.25bn
Headquarters: London, England
Executive: Jes Staley
For more information on business topics in Europe, Middle East and Africa please take a look at the latest edition of Business Chief EMEA.
