£4b. profit puts John Lewis Partnership on top

Department store group John Lewis Partnership is the biggest private company in Britain with annual sales of more than £4 billion while four of Richard Branson's companies make the list, it emerged yesterday.

The retailer, owned by a trust on behalf of its staff since 1920, came top of a league table of 100 unquoted firms in yesterday's Sunday Times.

Four of Sir Richard Branson's Virgin companies made the list, which also put Bhs 21st, airline bmi British Midland 33rd and Harrods 42nd.