We're in The Sunday Times 100 2026.
The Sunday Times 100 ranks Britain's fastest-growing private companies, and this year we've climbed from #32 to #31. We're also the highest-ranked Birmingham business on the list, and third in the West Midlands overall.
We're proud of that. But more than the number, we're proud of the team that earned it. It's the kind of recognition that makes you stop and reflect on just how far a team can go when everyone genuinely cares about what they're building.
What Is The Sunday Times 100?
Now in its fifth year, The Sunday Times 100 takes on the legacy of the renowned Sunday Times Fast Track 100 series, which championed the UK's leading entrepreneurs for 24 years. To qualify, companies must be independently and privately owned, UK-headquartered and report sales between £5m and £250m. As well as, demonstrate compound annual sales growth over three financial years, and be operationally profitable in their most recent financial year.
It's a tough bar - and one we're proud to have cleared twice.
A Company That Has Grown With Purpose
The numbers behind this ranking tell a story of consistent, deliberate growth. Lovey's revenue has more than doubled year-on-year, rising from £4.7m in 2023 to £9.3m in 2024, before reaching approximately £19.1m in 2025, a 105% year-on-year increase. Over the same period, loan volumes grew from £48m to £96m to £195m.
What makes this particularly meaningful is the way it's been built. Lovey is bootstrapped and founder-led, so no external funding and no shortcuts. We’ve scaled the team from 10 people in 2021 to over 110 people in 2026, whilst remaining profitable throughout.
We've also stayed true to our original mission: making business lending simple, fast, and accessible for the SMEs that power the UK economy. To date, Lovey has funded over £500 million in loans to more than 10,000 businesses across the UK.
The Growth in Numbers
Revenue
£4.7m (2023) → £9.3m (2024) → £19.1m (FY2025) - a 105% year-on-year increase
Loan Volumes
£48m (2023) → £96m (2024) → £195m (FY2025)
Team
10 employees (2021) → 75 (2024) → 110+ (2025)
Birmingham's Fastest-Growing Fintech
We're a Birmingham business, through and through - and being the highest-ranked company from the city on this year's list means a lot to us.
The West Midlands has always had talent and ambition, and we're proud to be counted among its leading businesses. It's a reminder that world-class companies aren't only built in London - the talent, ambition, and drive to build something exists right here in Birmingham too.
On Building Something That Lasts
Jack Smith, Founder and CEO of Lovey, reflects on what this recognition really means:
"I'm over the moon with this recognition. It means everything to know we've built such a special place to work. I could tell you, brick by brick, how to build a business. But if I said I had a perfect formula for building culture, I'd be lying. Culture comes from the people, the energy, the tough days, the wins, and everyone genuinely caring about what we're building together. That's what makes Lovey special."
Appearing on a list of this calibre is a reflection of every person at Lovey - the brokers, the underwriters, the ops team, the technology team and the thousands of SMEs across the UK who have trusted us with their funding needs.
What's Next
This recognition energises us, but it doesn't change what we're here to do. We'll keep working to give UK businesses faster, simpler access to the funding they need - and to build a company that people are proud to be part of.
If you're an SME looking for fast, flexible funding, apply in 60 seconds with Lovey and receive funding in as little as 4 hours.
