Amington Holdings OMB Top 100
Amington Holdings Group Recognised in Midlands Business Insider’s Top 100 Owner-Managed Businesses
Ranked at No. 95, Amington Holdings joins a prestigious group of high-performing owner-led businesses from across the Midlands.
The list celebrates companies driving scale, innovation and regional employment, often without the backing of external equity or corporate structures.
Neighbouring the group on the list are NT International (94) and Car Spares (Distribution) (96) – while standout performers such as Lounge Underwear, Rigby Group, and Facepunch Studios feature prominently. The list also showcases growing influence from sectors such as healthcare and pharma, with firms like Kibo Holdings and CST Pharma Group Holdings playing a leading role in owner-managed service delivery.
A Voice from the Frontline: Growth, Governance, and Grit
Safaraz Ali, Co-Founder, Chairman and Director at Amington Holdings Group, reflected candidly on the recognition that he gives credit predominately to his business partner Waheed Azam and the road that led here:
“This recognition is a proud moment for us – especially for the team and of course my business partner of over 25 years, who has been instrumental in everything we’ve built. We started Amington with a long-term view, focusing on organic growth, trust and steady reinvestment, and today’s listing in the OMB 100 affirms that commitment.”
“But let’s be real – it’s tough out there. The market is tighter, the expectations are higher, and the pressures on delivery, people and compliance are increasing year on year. For owner-managed businesses like ours, every decision counts. Resilience is essential, but so is adaptability.”
“We’ve faced real challenges in building and retaining a strong middle management layer – something that many growing SMEs struggle with. There’s often a gap between frontline delivery and board-level strategy, and bridging that takes culture, clarity and capability. That’s an area we’re investing heavily in – training, systems and leadership development, because it’s key to long-term sustainability.”
“Our board has matured over time, and I’m proud of the governance structures we’ve put in place – including non-executive support to help hold us accountable, test our thinking and bring external insight. That’s been a game-changer. It’s not just about growth; it’s about growing wisely and responsibly.”
“We’ve also started to plan much more proactively around succession – not just at board level, but across all key functions. That includes identifying future leaders, building internal pathways, and making sure our values and standards carry forward.”
“We’re open to acquisition opportunities where they align with our culture and capabilities. It has to be the right fit – we’re not interested in growing for growth’s sake. But we do believe in scaling strategically being both strategic and opportyunit led as well, and we’re keeping our eyes open for businesses that complement and strengthen what we do.”
Good Governance and Purpose-Led Strategy in Midlands SMEs
Amington Holdings Group’s story reflects the broader themes emerging from this year’s OMB 100 – that sustainable growth in the Midlands is increasingly being driven by governance-aware, values-led leadership teams who are building for the long term.
The recognition also aligns with frameworks written in Safaraz Ali’s 4th book: Canny Bites: Successfully Scale Up or Exit Your Business, which emphasises the importance of board effectiveness, stakeholder engagement, ethics, and forward-thinking strategy
Safaraz further stated: “In today’s fast-moving and often unpredictable economic landscape, we are deeply grateful to be recognised among so many exceptional owner-managed businesses. At Amington Holdings Group, we know that any success we’ve achieved is thanks to the dedication of our team, the loyalty of our clients, and the support of our stakeholders – and we don’t take that for granted.
While this recognition is something we’re proud of, it’s also a reminder that we can’t afford to rest on our laurels. We must continue to adapt, lead with purpose, invest in our people, and stay focused on building a resilient, values-driven business for the long term.”
