South East Businesses Lead UK on Payment Speed, But Cracks Emerge

The Numbers

• 841 companies analysed in the South East, UK.
• Average PaymentCheck Score: 69.5/100.
• UK average PaymentCheck Score: 50.0/100.
• The South East surpasses the UK average by 19.5 points.
• Five companies achieved a perfect 100/100 PaymentCheck Score.
• Five companies scored below 22/100.
• Human Resources sector leads at 88.9/100 (9 companies).

What Stands Out

The South East's average payment performance significantly outstrips the national average, suggesting a healthier business environment or a stronger focus on prompt payments. However, the presence of companies with very low scores indicates inconsistencies and potential issues for suppliers.

Best Payers

The top five companies demonstrate a clear commitment to timely payments. These include BRISTOW HELICOPTERS (INTERNATIONAL) LIMITED, XEROX FINANCE LIMITED, VOLVO CAR FINANCIAL SERVICES UK LIMITED, F.M. INSURANCE COMPANY LIMITED, and THESIS UNIT TRUST MANAGEMENT LIMITED, all scoring a perfect 100/100. This suggests larger, potentially more structured organisations are prioritising efficient payment processes.

Worst Payers

The bottom five companies raise concerns about payment practices within certain businesses. RENTOKIL INITIAL UK LTD scores a concerning 17.9/100, followed by TARGUS EUROPE LIMITED (18.74/100), RM EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES LTD (20.6/100), JACOBS DOUWE EGBERTS GB LTD (21/100), and KIMBERLY-CLARK EUROPEAN SERVICES LIMITED (21.1/100). While diverse, these low scores point to potential cash flow challenges or a deliberate strategy of delayed payments, impacting their suppliers. You can use this late payment calculator to understand the potential costs of delayed payments.

Sector Breakdown

The Human Resources sector leads with an average PaymentCheck score of 88.9/100, based on 9 companies, closely followed by Care Services at 84.7/100 (11 companies) and Financial Services at 84.5/100 (68 companies). Lifestyle and Entertainment (83.4/100, 11 companies) and Education (81.1/100, 37 companies) also demonstrate strong performance. The limited number of companies in HR and Care Services compared to Financial Services may skew their averages, indicating more data is needed for a representative sample.

Takeaway

Despite the South East averaging a strong 69.5/100, the gap between the highest and lowest payers, ranging from 100 to 17.9, exposes significant disparities in payment culture across the region.

2025: The Story

South East's average payment score saw a slight decline of 0.3 points, settling at 69.5/100 in 2025, alongside a notable reduction of 122 reporting companies. While the region’s overall performance dipped, some major players demonstrated impressive turnarounds. BMW (UK) LIMITED, for instance, dramatically improved its score by 45.1 points to 76.2/100, indicating a significant shift in its payment practices. Similarly, P&O FERRIES LIMITED climbed by 35.0 points to an impressive 86.6/100. This resilience among established brands suggests a concerted effort to optimize cash flow and supplier relations despite the broader economic climate. Conversely, companies like MICRON EUROPE LIMITED and ELLA'S KITCHEN (BRANDS) LIMITED saw their scores decline by 5.4 points each, now standing at 74.7/100 and 76.9/100 respectively, highlighting pockets of worsening performance. The simultaneous arrival of strong new payers like PEAC BUSINESS FINANCE LIMITED and BANSOLS BETA LIMITED, both starting at 100.0/100, alongside the departure of 168 companies, paints a picture of a dynamic, yet increasingly competitive landscape. Suppliers should remain vigilant of individual company shifts and the shrinking pool of active reporters.