From Falconry to the Financial Times: Contego Named Among UK's Fastest-Growing Companies
What began as an 18-year-old falconer's ambition to build his own business has become an award-winning, technology-led national pest management company, with Contego Environmental Services earning a place in the Financial Times and Statista UK's Fastest-Growing Companies 2027 ranking.
County Durham, 15 October 2026 – Newton Aycliffe-based Contego Environmental Services has been recognised in the Financial Times and Statista UK's Fastest-Growing Companies 2027 ranking, marking another milestone in a remarkable journey that began more than two decades ago.
Founded by Michael Taylor in 2004, the business started with a £500 grant, a £1,500 loan and mentoring support from The Prince's Trust.
Just 18 years old at the time, Michael had developed a passion for birds of prey from a young age, eventually working as an animal trainer on major film productions, including the Harry Potter series.
Recognising an opportunity to turn his experience with falconry into a specialist commercial bird control service, he returned to his native North East and established MT Avian Control, the business that would eventually become Contego.
The fledgling company became the 700th business to receive support from The Prince's Trust in County Durham, with the funding and guidance helping Michael turn his entrepreneurial ambitions into reality.
His drive and early success were recognised in 2009 when, aged just 24, he was named among the Evening Gazette's 30 Under 30, highlighting promising young talent from across the region.
More than 22 years later, that small North East start-up has grown into a leading pest management and environmental services business operating across the UK and Ireland, employing over 200 people and supporting major organisations across a wide range of sectors.
Today, Contego delivers a comprehensive range of pest management, bird control, proofing and environmental services to customers across retail, hospitality, healthcare, social housing, logistics and other sectors.
But the company's success has been driven by more than geographical expansion. Throughout its growth, Contego has continued to challenge traditional approaches to pest management, investing in its people, technology and innovative solutions to improve how services are delivered.
Pioneering a technology-first approach to pest management
From its beginnings in specialist falconry, Contego has evolved into a technology-first business, combining traditional pest management expertise with artificial intelligence, automation and data-led decision-making.
Under Michael's leadership, the company has increasingly focused on moving beyond reactive pest control towards proactive pest risk management, developing digital systems that provide customers with greater visibility, insight and control.
Its proprietary Synergy customer portal enables organisations to monitor pest activity, analyse trends, access service information and make more informed decisions about managing risk across their estates.
Meanwhile, investment in artificial intelligence and automated work order processing has transformed internal operations, streamlining administrative processes, improving efficiency and allowing teams to dedicate more time to supporting customers and delivering services.
Contego's drive to challenge convention and push the boundaries of pest management has earned recognition well beyond the industry.
From being highly commended for the BPCA Innovation Award in 2023 to securing finalist positions at the National Pest Awards for Sustainability, Diversity & Inclusion and Large Company of the Year, the business has consistently stood out for its ambition and progress.
Its success has also attracted recognition in the wider business community, reaching the finals of the Make Your Mark Awards for Innovation in 2024 and Company of the Year in 2025.
In 2026, Contego took another significant step forward, winning Innovation of the Year at the National Pest Awards for its pioneering use of artificial intelligence and automation.
Now, with recognition from the Financial Times as one of the UK's fastest-growing companies, Contego's achievements reflect more than rapid growth. They demonstrate how a traditionally hands-on service industry can embrace emerging technologies, challenge convention and drive meaningful change, without losing the technical expertise, personal service and customer relationships at its heart.
The Financial Times and Statista UK's Fastest-Growing Companies 2027 ranking recognises 150 businesses that achieved exceptional revenue growth between 2022 and 2025.
For Michael, the announcement is an opportunity to reflect on the journey from a young entrepreneur with an idea to leading a growing national business, and on the people who have helped turn that vision into reality.
Michael Taylor, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Contego Environmental Services, said:
"When I started the business at 18, I had a passion for falconry, an idea and a vision to build something special. Growth has always been part of that ambition, but to see how far we've come and now be recognised by the Financial Times as one of the UK's fastest-growing companies is an incredibly proud moment.
"The Prince's Trust gave me an opportunity at a time when I was just starting out. That £500 grant, £1,500 loan and the support I received made a real difference. I'll always be grateful for the belief they showed in me.
"We've come a very long way from those early days. What started as a small bird control business in the North East has developed into a national operation, working with some fantastic customers and employing an incredible team of people.
"But we've never been content to stand still. I've always believed that if there's a better way of doing something, we should be looking for it. That's what has driven our investment in technology, our approach to innovation and ultimately how we've continued to grow and develop as a business.
"To receive recognition for both our innovation and our growth is particularly rewarding, because it reflects the ambition we've always had to keep pushing forward and challenging what's possible in our industry.
"None of this would have been possible without the people behind Contego. Our team has been central to everything we've achieved, and the trust our customers place in us has allowed us to continue investing, improving and moving forward.
"To see where we started and where we are now is something I'm immensely proud of. And while we've achieved a great deal, I genuinely believe the most exciting part of our journey is still ahead of us."
Building on its North East roots
Despite developing into a nationwide service provider and recently expanding into Ireland, Contego has maintained its headquarters in County Durham, continuing to build on the entrepreneurial foundations established by Michael more than two decades ago.
Its evolution from a small falconry operation into a technology-led environmental services business demonstrates what can be achieved through ambition, innovation and a continued commitment to investing in people.
The company's recent expansion into Ireland represents another significant chapter in its growth, creating opportunities to bring its approach to pest risk management and technology-driven service delivery to a wider market.
For Contego, recognition by the Financial Times is both a celebration of its journey so far and an important milestone as the company looks towards its next chapter.
From modest beginnings supported by The Prince's Trust to national recognition more than two decades later, Contego's story is one of entrepreneurial ambition, innovation and a determination to keep moving forward.
Defend yourself against pests with Contego
Don't wait until pests have invaded your premises, take action now and get in touch with Contego to safeguard your space from infestations. Our expert team is ready to assist you in defending yourself against pests, so contact us today for a comprehensive solution.
