ESSEX-based company Climate Energy has been ranked third in the country in the new Sunday Times Deloitte Buyout Track 100 listing.

Climate Energy, based in Witham and led by group managing director Andrew Holmes, is an independent energy efficiency solutions specialist which acts as a broker between home owners and utility companies.

It was sold by founder Richard Britton in 2009 to a management buy-out team backed by Climate change Capital Private Equity.

Its profits have risen by an average of 155% a year over the past to years, to �6.6million in 2011, a rate of growth unmatched by any other buy-out firm in South-East.

Climate Energy’s latest success comes just two months after it was placed 55th in the Sunday Times Fast Track 100 and was named Europe’s 4th fasted growing larger cleantech business by GP Bullhound.

Mr Holmes said: “Climate Energy has had an amazing three months, with our success and growth being recognised in both national and international influential league tables.

“Since it was established seven years ago, Climate Energy has gone from strength to strength, and we have seen our team win a number of awards and gain a reputation in the industry for its vast knowledge and skills.

“With only eight months until the launch of Green Deal [a Government scheme to support energy efficiency measures], the whole country will need to find ways to save energy in their homes and businesses, and Climate Energy is proud to be leading the way in the UK.”