South West Businesses Outpace UK Average on Payment Practices, But Disparities Persist

The Numbers

• Companies analysed: 241
• Average PaymentCheck Score (South West): 71.5/100
• Average PaymentCheck Score (UK): 50.0/100
• South West advantage: 21.5 points above the UK average

What Stands Out

The South West shows a demonstrably better payment culture than the rest of the UK, according to this analysis, though it's not clear why. However, a wide range between the best and worst payers reveals significant inconsistencies in the region, highlighting that some businesses continue to struggle with timely payments.

Best Payers

These companies demonstrate exceptional payment practices, according to the PaymentCheck Score.

1. SANDERSON RECRUITMENT PLC - 99.6/100
2. PEOPLEPLUS GROUP LIMITED - 98.1/100
3. LAMBTRAD LTD - 98.1/100
4. BLACKDOWN EDUCATION PARTNERSHIP - 97.7/100
5. THE GURKHA WELFARE TRUST - 97.6/100

Worst Payers

These companies need to significantly improve their payment practices; they fall far below the South West average.

1. SUNSEEKER INTERNATIONAL LIMITED - 22.5/100
2. OPTIMAS OE SOLUTIONS LTD - 23.5/100
3. PRINCESS YACHTS LIMITED - 25.2/100
4. NOKIA UK LIMITED - 27.7/100
5. MEARS GROUP PLC - 30.7/100

Sector Breakdown

While the overall South West average is strong, certain sectors stand out for their payment behaviour. Human Resources companies are the top performers, averaging 95.0/100 across seven companies, a notable lead, while the Primary Care sector also performs strongly with an average score of 93.9/100 across 3 companies. One should compare these numbers with other regions to see how they compare, however.

Worried about late payments? Use this late payment calculator.

Even though the South West average is a respectable 71.5/100, Sunseeker International's score of 22.5/100 is a clear outlier, showing a significant disparity in payment practices within the region.