News

A company specialising in safe and effective cleaning products is expanding with investment from Finance Yorkshire.

Sky Chemicals develops and manufactures cleaning products using peracetic acid rather than the more traditional ingredient of chlorine.

Peracetic acid is notable for its antimicrobial properties and rapid environmental decomposition into the non-toxic residues of acetic acid, water and oxygen.

The company has moved from its Kelham Island base in Sheffield to Kettlebridge Road, near the city’s Parkway, providing Sky Chemicals with more factory and storage space as well as a dedicated laboratory for new product development.

The relocation is being supported by a £200,000 investment from Finance Yorkshire’s loan fund.

Sky Chemicals founder Mike Joseph and his team have worked closely with experts at Sheffield Hallam University to develop peracetic acid in powder form which is more stable than as a liquid.

The company has also collaborated with University College Hospital London (UCHL) to clinically test its disinfectant products which are used by several NHS hospital trusts for infection control.

Sky Chemicals is still collaborating with Sheffield Hallam on generating peracetic acid and with UCHL on clinical testing. The company’s partnership with Sheffield Hallam has resulted in graduate James Derham who studied to PhD level recently joining the business as Research & Development Lead Chemist.

Mike explained: “Traditional chlorine-based cleaning products have limited effectiveness. Using peracetic acid is safe and more efficacious while being environmentally friendly and sustainable.

“Finance Yorkshire’s investment is helping us to improve our business potential and attract new customers.”

As well as the NHS, Sky Chemicals supplies the Japanese health care market with its Pericide™ products and is seeking to export to other countries. It is also targeting the food industry as a key growth area and plans to add to its eight-strong headcount.

Finance Yorkshire’s investment in Sky Chemicals follows two other recent investments in South Yorkshire based SMEs. Investments from Finance Yorkshire’s growth fund in artisan dessert retailer Batch’d and cereal manufacturer Spoon along with Sky Chemicals total more than £2 million.

Alex McWhirter, CEO of Finance Yorkshire, said: “These are three strong investments by Finance Yorkshire and demonstrate our support for the SME base in South Yorkshire and its local economy.

“Sky Chemicals’ success showcases the strength of innovation in new product development being carried out between the region’s pioneering companies and world-leading universities.

“We are pleased to support Sky Chemicals relocation in South Yorkshire which will enable the business to expand, particularly into new sectors both in the UK and globally.”

JustHire, the online marketplace for trade services, has secured a £250,000 loan from the East of England Regional Growth Loan Scheme, managed by The FSE Group.

Designed to remove the back-and-forth often involved in arranging trades, JustHire is an AI-powered platform that enables customers to quickly find, price and book local services online in a few simple steps. Initially focused on skip hire and waste removal, the business is expanding into a broader range of trades including tree surgery, painting and decorating, plumbing and electrical services.

The funding will support further investment in the platform and team, including the upcoming launch of Justquote.ai, an integrated AI-powered quotation tool. The tool is designed to help trades generate quotes remotely using photo and video uploads, reducing the need for initial site visits and helping jobs move more quickly from enquiry to confirmed booking.

JustHire has already built strong momentum, reporting thousands of completed orders and hundreds of five-star Trustpilot reviews, alongside rapid revenue growth in its most recent trading year. With growing customer adoption and repeat usage, the company plans to significantly broaden its marketplace, with ambitions to expand into 33 different trade services over the next three years.

Oliver Murphy, co-founder and CEO of JustHire, said: “People want a straightforward way to book reliable trades and services without spending days chasing quotes. This funding gives us the headroom to invest in the team and the product, and to keep improving the online experience for customers and suppliers alike. We’re excited to build on what’s already working in skip hire and bring the same speed and clarity to more services across the UK.”

Matt Punter, Investment Manager at The FSE Group, added: “JustHire is tackling a real and familiar problem for both homeowners and small trade businesses: getting from enquiry to a confirmed booking quickly and with confidence. The team has already shown strong traction and a clear plan for growth, including the launch of Justquote.ai and the expansion into additional trade categories. We’re pleased to support the business as it scales.”

The opportunity for digital platforms in this space is substantial. The UK equipment hire market is sizeable, and the skip hire sector remains large and fragmented, with steady reported growth. More broadly, demand for repairs, maintenance and home improvement continues to underpin activity across trades and temporary hire services.

The East of England Regional Growth Loan Scheme (RGLS) is managed by The FSE Group. Loans between £50,000 and £500,000 are available to established incorporated businesses based within the East of England that have a minimum annual turnover of £100,000. The funding can be used for a range of growth activities as well as to service short to medium-term trade and contract finance requirements. The scheme aims to stimulate job creation and economic prosperity and supports SMEs that have the potential to deliver high-growth and employment opportunities across the East of England region.

The FSE Group has provided a six-figure sum to Diss based CleverGoose to support the next phase of growth for its HR decision support platform. The funding has been made through the East of England Regional Growth Loan Scheme and will enable the Norwich based business to expand its team and accelerate commercial growth. 

Founded in 2019, CleverGoose helps frontline managers handle complex people issues with confidence and consistency. The platform provides step-by-step guidance aligned with ACAS (Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service) best practice, helping managers navigate realworld situations such as absence management, performance issues and workplace investigations. 

CleverGoose is already being used by organisations across sectors including facilities management, education, hospitality and leisure, where teams are often dispersed and managers play a critical role in people management. The business has demonstrated strong traction, with a growing customer base, recurring revenues and consistently low churn since the platform went live in 2021. 

C-J Green, CleverGoose CEO and Cofounder, said: “Our platform was created to help managers deal with people issues in a practical, confident way, without always needing to escalate to HR or external advisers. This funding allows us to build on the strong demand we’re already seeing across our core sectors.” 

Lisa Hamil, CleverGoose Director and Co-founder added: “The FSE team has taken the time to understand our product and the funding enables us to invest in people and scale in a measured, sustainable way. We look forward to working with FSE as we continue to build CleverGoose and grow our impact across the UK.” 

The market opportunity for CleverGoose continues to expand as organisations look for practical tools to support managers, reduce people related risk and modernise HR processes. With increasing pressure on HR teams and greater focus on compliance and consistency, the business is well positioned to serve organisations operating at scale across multiple sites. 

Matt Punter, Investment Manager at The FSE Group, commented: “CleverGoose has developed a clear and compelling solution to a problem faced by many organisations with dispersed workforces. The business has proven demand, a strong leadership team and a well-defined growth strategy. We’re pleased to support the company as it moves into its next phase of growth and creates new skilled jobs in the region.” 

The East of England Regional Growth Loan Scheme (RGLS) is managed by The FSE Group. Loans between £50,000 and £500,000 are available to established incorporated businesses based within the East of England that have a minimum annual turnover of £100,000. The funding can be used for a range of growth activities as well as to service short to medium-term trade and contract finance requirements. The scheme aims to stimulate job creation and economic prosperity and supports SMEs that have the potential to deliver high-growth and employment opportunities across the East of England region. 

Aggregatis Healthcare, a rapidly growing healthcare investment group, has successfully acquired Amari Care Services Ltd. in Lowestoft, Suffolk. The expansion, made possible by a six-figure loan from The FSE Group, is set to create up to 20 new frontline and management roles in the local area while safeguarding all existing positions. 

This acquisition marks the third major addition to the Aggregatis portfolio since its founding in 2023, joining Gloucestershire-based providers SW Domiciliary Care Ltd and First4Homecare Ltd. The move signals a major step in Aggregatis Healthcare’s mission to build a scalable, national platform that professionalises and elevates domiciliary care across the UK. 

Amari Care Services has long been a pillar of the Lowestoft community. When the previous owners planned to retire, Aggregatis Healthcare was identified as the ideal successor to ensure the business’s continuity while preserving its legacy and driving future growth. 

Key impacts of the acquisition include: 

• Job Security: The acquisition has safeguarded the existing jobs in the business and ensured continuity of care for its customers. 

• Expansion: Aggregatis Healthcare plans to create up to 20 new frontline and management roles as the service scales. 

• Service Diversification: Strengthening the mix of local authority and private-pay services to meet rising regional demand. 

Aggregatis Healthcare’s CEO, Gus Saggu, said: “We are delighted to welcome Amari Care Services into the Aggregatis family with the support of The FSE Group. This funding allowed us to protect local jobs and expand the high-quality, client-focused care that communities deserve. Our vision is to build a national care group that combines compassionate care with operational excellence, and this investment marks an important step on that journey.” 

Matt Punter, Investment Manager at The FSE Group, added: “Aggregatis Healthcare has demonstrated a strong strategic approach to scaling within the domiciliary care sector. Their focus on quality, their experienced leadership team, and their commitment to building a sustainable platform for growth make them an excellent fit for the East of England Regional Growth Loan Scheme. We are pleased to support their acquisition of Amari Care Services and look forward to seeing the business continue to develop.” 

As the UK’s ageing population creates a higher demand for home care, Aggregatis Healthcare is well positioned to meet rising need while driving professionalisation in the sector.  

The East of England Regional Growth Loan Scheme (RGLS) is managed by The FSE Group. Loans between £50,000 and £500,000 are available to established incorporated businesses based within the East of England that have a minimum annual turnover of £100,000. The funding can be used for a range of growth activities as well as to service short to medium-term trade and contract finance requirements. The scheme aims to stimulate job creation and economic prosperity and supports SMEs that have the potential to deliver high-growth and employment opportunities across the East of England region. 

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.