UK-based attractions operator Merlin Entertainments was the fastest growing private-equity owned company in Britain in 2007 according to a Sunday Times listing.

The company, which owns the Sea Life Centre brand, topped the Sunday Times Deloitte Buyout Track 100 – ‘Biggest 10’, which lists the private equity-owned companies in the UK with the fastest growing profits of more than £50m.

Merlin achieved the top spot even without its acquisitions of Gardaland in Italy in December 2006 and The Tussauds Group in May 2007 being taken into account.

Now the second largest visitor attraction operator in the world, with 52 attractions and six hotels in 12 countries, the group recorded visitor numbers of 32 million in 2007.

Eight years ago, the company was bought from Vardon in an APAX-supported MBO, then in 2004 it was bought by Hermes Private Equity and then in 2005 by Blackstone. Since then, as well as Gardaland and Tussauds, the four Legoland theme parks in Europe and the US have also become part of the company.

Chief Executive, Nick Varney, said: “Merlin has prospered under PE ownership, particularly with Blackstone.

“They have provided not simply investment, but also the business and strategic support we needed to build a world leading leisure organisation of which we are both proud; and which still has enormous potential for growth.”

Photograph: Chief executive, Nick Varney