Wiltshire Energy, a Swindon-based renewable energy business, has secured a £150,000 loan from the British Business Bank’s South West Investment Fund through appointed fund manager, The FSE Group, to support the next phase of its growth and development.
Established in 2016, Wiltshire Energy designs, installs and services a range of renewable and energy efficiency systems including solar PV, heat pumps, biomass and solar thermal heating, underfloor heating and ventilation solutions. The company has built a strong reputation through word-of-mouth recommendations and is now recognised as a leading provider of renewable technology in the region.
The funding will help the business expand its in-house team and training capability, reducing its reliance on subcontractors and supporting delivery across government-backed energy schemes such as BUS (Boiler Upgrade Scheme), Eco4, HUG (Home Upgrade Grant), Warm & Well, and the Great British Insulation Scheme. Wiltshire Energy has also gained FCA approval to offer finance solutions to clients to help with high upfront installation costs, and is accredited to deliver the Eco4 funding grant, further strengthening its position with local authorities and homeowners.
Barney Westbrook, Founder and Technical Director of Wiltshire Energy, said: “This investment from FSE and the South West Investment Fund comes at a pivotal point for us. Demand for renewable solutions continues to rise as more people look to lower their energy bills and reduce carbon emissions. With FSE’s support, we can expand our in-house expertise, create more local jobs, and ensure we maintain the high standards our customers expect. It’s an exciting step in our journey to make sustainable living more accessible across our communities.”
Amanda Sheppard, Investment Manager at The FSE Group, added: “We are excited to back Wiltshire Energy at this stage of its journey. Barney is a well respected, dedicated and experienced leader in the renewable energy space. He has over 25 years of expertise in delivering sustainable technology solutions, and through him, Wiltshire Energy has built a strong regional reputation. With this investment, we believe the business can scale its operations, build in-house capability, and better meet the growing demand for low-carbon solutions.”
The UK renewable energy sector is forecast to grow from £24.3 billion in 2022/23 to around £41 billion by 2035, offering significant opportunities for businesses like Wiltshire Energy that are helping drive the transition to cleaner energy.
Paul Jones, Senior Investment Manager from the British Business Bank, said: “Wiltshire Energy is a good example of a business helping to drive the transition to a low-carbon economy while creating skilled local jobs. By backing companies like this, the South West Investment Fund is not only supporting sustainable economic growth in the region but also enabling businesses to play an important role in the UK’s net zero ambitions.”
The South West Investment Fund offers a range of commercial finance options with smaller loans from £25k to £100k, debt finance from £100k to £2m and equity investment up to £5 million.
The fund is increasing the supply and diversity of early-stage finance for South West smaller businesses, providing funds to firms that might otherwise not receive investment and helping to break down barriers in access to finance.