Looking To A Greener Future

Alderminster Group was formed in 1993 by husband-and-wife Paul and Maria Clack to focus on electrical contracting.

In 2010, the business moved into renewables installing Solar PV Panels. Maria completed the Goldman Sachs training programme in 2014 when she decided to introduce new disciplines into the business including a heating division, Air Source Heat Pumps and Solar Thermal Water Heating.

Their clients are commercial and domestic customers in Warwickshire, Oxfordshire, Gloucestershire, Worcestershire and the Cotswolds.

Alderminster Group, which is based in Tilemans Lane, Shipston-on-Stour, employs a team of 14 people including Paul and Maria’s two daughters, Gabriella and Antonia.

After completing a four-year NVQ electrical apprenticeship at Leamington College, 26-year-old Gabriella has also secured qualifications in Solar PV Panel installation, Battery Storage and Domestic Ventilation Systems, she is now Operations Manager for the electrical division of the company, having responsibility for estimating, organising workflow and logistics for her team.

Antonia, aged 24, runs the administration and heating side of Alderminster Group which includes liaising with customers, ordering materials, organising workflow and compliance.

The Challenge

Electrics had been the core business for Alderminster Group for 30 years but the company had already moved into renewable technologies, however with global changes in energy supplies and environmental issues it is vital they continue to develop the business to maintain momentum with new technology.

Maria was keen for mentoring advice for succession planning for Gabriella and Antonia to have greater day-to-day responsibilities for the long-term future of the business.

Maria built up a rapport with Jim Clark, Account Manager at the Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership (CWLEP) Growth Hub, who has supported the business over the last three year, and she contacted him for advice.

He held various meetings with the family and carried out a study of their employees before recommending the best plan to move forward.

The Solution

Jim put her in touch with Rachel Cheetham from Innovate UK Edge. She spent time with Maria and Antonia to fully understand the business and the skills they needed to improve as well as provided mentoring advice through the Help to Grow scheme which provides training to help SME business leaders to increase productivity, seize investment opportunities and grow their business.

The Result

Maria feels confident about the future as more and more services are added to their armoury.

Maria said: “The support from the Growth Hub has been very important because it has helped us to have faith in ourselves.

“We have been in business a long time but wanted support to develop further and add new skills that we could be learning or taking advantage of opportunities in new areas.

“Rachel spent time with myself and Antonia to really get to know about the business and to encourage us to think in innovative ways.

“Antonia really benefited from the Help to Grow scheme where she focused on developing our business growth plan and receiving the one-to-one support from a business mentor.

“We have a really diverse mix of clients which is really important for our future and the mentoring sessions have given us much food for thought to make sure the business is on the right track for when Gabriella and Antonia take over running the business.”

The CWLEP Growth Hub

The CWLEP Growth Hub, which is part-financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), was established by the Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership to provide a one-stop shop to help make businesses aware of the advice and support available to them.

The Growth Hub proactively helps businesses grow by providing access to private sector professionals with commercial experience in a whole host of fields including marketing, finance, IT, training and logistics.

The Growth Hub has experts in various fields to help companies access grants and funding to diversify or expand by providing introductions to a range of services and support from other organisations across the region.

The Growth Hub offers help with:

Access to finance
Business Innovation
Business Support
International Trade Advisers
Skills4Growth
Inward Investment
Planning
Supply chain opportunities

Partners involved include the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, UKTI, Local Authorities across the sub-region, Coventry University and the University of Warwick.

For further information, email or telephone 0300 060 3747.

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Client testimonials

Without the Growth Hubs help and assistance, we would never have been able to increase our sales & output and also grow our local business. With this help in purchasing new equipment we have expanded our operations and gained a new and increased customer base.

Nuneaton Roof Truss,

Over the past few years, Armstrongs has built up a fantastic relationship with Gary Thyeson from the Growth Hub. His advice on grants and funding has been really valuable to both Armstrongs and some of our clients. His knowledge of local business support has been helpful in signposting us to relevant support agencies as required. We look forward to working with Laura Delahunty moving forwards.

Armstrongs Accountancy LTD,

In the short time since first engaging with the Warwickshire Growth Hub we feel that Laura has understood our vision and has been so very supportive in linking us to the specialist teams who are now supporting us with training, finance and recruitment. A great service that every growing organisation should connect with

MES Systems Limited,

I have had an excellent experience working with Laura from the Growth Hub, from day one, she was taking detailed attention to my concerns and ideas. She was able to put me in contact with different organisations and people to find out answers to my questions and help me to solve some inquiries I was having. I feel this support definitely had a positive impact in my plans.

PALACIOS LTD,

It’s been a fantastic inaugural eight months for the TalentTech Recruitment team and, although the reality of setting up and running a company can be a somewhat daunting experience, we have been extremely grateful for the superb help, advice and guidance given to us along our journey by Gavin Barnett and the team at CW Growth Hub. Gavin’s introductions to both Warwick & Coventry Universities and his wider business network have been absolutely invaluable.

TalentTech Recruitment LTD,

For many individuals out there, it is very hard to figure out ways and know which direction to go when it comes to setting up a business. The challenges of taking your idea and bringing it to life and not knowing where to go and who to speak to for advice. it can get very frustrating..

King of Saffron LTD,

This grant [which we received with the help of the Growth Hub and Coventry City Council] will really help us get on track for business growth and succeed with our vision. Personally, I would also like to thank the team for supporting me through the grant application process. You have been very approachable and attentive throughout.

Exeter Analytical (UK) Limited,

Thank you for the comprehensive and professional guidance

Burbidge & Son Ltd,

Over the years since the Growth Hub was set up we have habitually gone to our Account Manager as a one-stop shop for all business-related information. It has been a really convenient way of finding suppliers, advisors and, on one occasion, we even asked for assistance with finding customers. We are invited to a wide range of business events including business development workshops, Brexit roundtable discussions, seminars on various topics and have also been asked to speak at some events. When we have needed additional information, for example, finding finance sources or help with selecti

Marchantcain Design Limited,

Thanks to CW Growth hub getting us access to grant funding we have been able to invest in the latest computer monitoring system, which will enable us to compete with the national companies within our industry.

Comrie Leisure Limited,