The Fresh Group is celebrating after ranking number one on the Recommended Agency Register’s Top 100 list of marketing services companies.

The Cheadle-based agency – whose client list includes Santander, Matalan, Marks & Spencer and Brother – was awarded the accolade following a strong year in business, which saw the team grow to 65 employees and the launch of its exhibitions division.

RAR’s rating system is based on different criteria – firstly agencies (all of which must be outside London) must be recommended to RAR and then the company’s business performance is looked at in detail to help rank the top 100.

Client services director Patrick Howells said: “The primary criteria at the heart of this poll are to rank agencies on how profitable they are, how well they are growing, and how efficient they are in terms of turnover per head of staff. The pre-cursor for entry into RAR in the first place is that businesses must deliver a high-level of customer satisfaction. It is due to this and our on-going relationship with our clients that has aided our growth year on year. So, on behalf of the whole team at fresh I’d like to thank our clients for putting us where we are.”

RAR director, Diane Young, said: “Agencies that make the RAR Top 100 really are great companies. Already very highly thought of by their clients, they are also extremely good at running their businesses. Both of these attributes are highly sought after by clients who are looking to work with the best marketing suppliers.”