Goalhanger Named UK’s Fastest-Growing Business
Goalhanger, the media production company co-founded by Gary Lineker and the producer behind The Rest is … podcasts, has been recognized as the fastest-growing business in Britain according to the latest Sunday Times ranking.
The company reported sales of £37.9 million in 2025, achieving an average annual growth rate of 321% over the past three years. This performance places Goalhanger at the top of the Sunday Times list of the 100 quickest-growing private companies.
Popular Podcast Productions
Goalhanger produces several notable podcast series, including The Rest is …, The Rest is Entertainment hosted by Richard Osman and columnist Katty Kay, The Rest is Football co-presented by Lineker himself, and The Rest is Politics, hosted by Rory Stewart and Alastair Campbell.
The company’s podcasts experienced a surge in popularity following the coronavirus pandemic and now collectively attract over 750 million listeners.
Growth Through Subscriptions and Live Events
Operating from its London headquarters with a staff of 80, Goalhanger has expanded its revenue streams through paid subscriptions and live events. In January, the company announced it had surpassed 250,000 paid rs for the first time. Reports indicate these rs generate approximately £15 million in annual revenue.
Founding and Ownership
Goalhanger’s podcast business was established in 2018 by former ITV controller of sport, Gary Lineker, and ex-journalist Jack Davenport. According to the latest Companies House filings, Lineker retains at least a 25% stake in the company.
Major Deals and Investments
In December, Netflix secured the rights to broadcast The Rest is Football during the World Cup. The show is presented by Lineker alongside former footballers Alan Shearer and Micah Richards, in a deal reportedly valued at £14 million.
Following this, in January, The Chernin Group, a Los Angeles-based investment firm, acquired a minority stake in Goalhanger. Greg Bettinelli, a partner at The Chernin Group, has joined Goalhanger’s board as a director.
Venture Capital Initiatives
Goalhanger launched its own venture capital arm in 2025, focusing on investments in creator-led media businesses. Among its investments are stakes in Invisible Media and a partnership with Backyard Cricket, both of which are primarily YouTube-based creator-led brands.
Other Fast-Growing Companies in the UK
Ranking second on the Sunday Times list is Lucky Egg, a London-based board games manufacturer, with £16.3 million in annual sales and a three-year average growth rate of 298%. Third place is held by TGG, a legal claims service located in Altrincham, Greater Manchester, with annual sales of £210.5 million and a three-year average growth rate of 269%.
Overall Growth and Regional Distribution
The Sunday Times report found that the 100 fastest-growing companies increased their sales by an average of 108% annually over the last three years, collectively generating £4 billion in sales and employing 13,700 people.
Of these companies, 45 are based in London, with the remainder distributed across the UK: four in the North West, 10 in the South East, eight each in the East of England and the Midlands, five in Yorkshire and the Humber, four in Wales, three in the South West, two in Scotland, and one in the North East.
Female Leadership Representation
A record 33 of the businesses in the ranking have female founders, co-founders, or chief executives. Notable examples include Michelle Laithwaite at FuelHub and Megan Rossi at Bio&Me.
