ENERGY efficiency solutions provider, Anesco received a top award from Virgin boss Sir Richard Branson.

The firm based at Easter Park, near Silchester, which works with businesses, local authorities and homeowners to reduce their carbon emissions, took the top spot in the prestigious Sunday Times Virgin Fast Track 100 league for 2014.

Sir Richard presented chief executive officer Adrian Pike and chief operating officer Tim Payne with the accolade at his Oxfordshire home, where The Fast Track 100 annual awards dinner was held.

No doubt he was impressed with the company recording growth of over 375 per cent over the past three years.

Anesco has gone on to increase sales by a further 50 per cent in the last financial year, achieving turnover of £160.2million and earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBIDA) of £21m.

Mr Pike said: “We’re immensely proud to have retained our position as number one in The Fast Track league table. It is a huge achievement and down to the hard work and determination of every member of staff within the organisation.

“Being first to bring innovative technologies and models to the UK energy efficiency market has played a key role in our success.

“We continue to do so, most recently by introducing battery storage solutions to the residential and commercial markets and through our ground breaking ESCO model, which enables organisations to improve their energy efficiency at no upfront cost.”

Anesco is forecasting sustained growth will soon see turnover exceeding £200million.

Along with its impressive results the firm’s workforce has increased to more than 150 permanent members of staff, with up to 600 contractors and 103 supply chain partners and logistics staff employed at any one time.

The company provides a complete turnkey service, from insulation solutions to solar panels, ground source heat pumps, LED street lighting and battery storage, through to micro generation design, installation and maintenance.

According to Mr Pike, the company’s success is down to employing the best people, listening to customers’ needs, having a solutions-led business model and taking a global approach to innovation.

The Sunday Times Virgin Fast Track 100 league table highlights Britain's 100 private companies with the fastest-growing sales over their latest three years. Anesco took the top spot in 2013 and retains the title for 2014 – a feat that has been achieved only once before in the last 18 years.