7: Halma

The dependably non-cyclical business of health and safety helps Halma - a group of companies specialising in hazard detection and life preservation - to its best ever BMAC showing this year and a criteria award for Value as a Long-term Investment. Headquartered in Amersham and producing everything from smoke alarms to medical equipment, Halma is also the investor's friend thanks to no fewer than 36 years of steadily rising dividends. Chief executive Andrew Williams has been with the company almost as long, joining in 1994.

Image © Halma Plc