A SCOTTISH cleaning company that lists Maclay Murray & Spens, Jones Lang LaSalle and Virgin Money among its clients is to expand into the north-west of England and Yorkshire after selling its hygiene arm to industry giant PHS.
Edinburgh-based Spotless commercial cleaning already employs more than 1,000 people and turns over some £10 million a year thanks to deals with facility management companies and property firms.
Partnership with businesses including Aim Hygiene Services has led to work for high street lender Northern Rock and fashion chain River Island.
Spotless is sitting on a £500,000 war chest to fund its expansion strategy after its sister company, Daisy Hygiene Supplies, was sold to PHS last year for £1m.
Roger Green, who founded Spotless in 1988 while studying Swedish and metaphysics at Edinburgh University, stood down as managing director in July and brought in former Ernst & Young accountant Niall Mitchell to run his firm.
Mitchell said Spotless’s operations in Newcastle already turn over about £1m and employ some 250 staff. He aims to grow his English revenues to £4m within four years and bring the head count up to about 700 staff, nearly matching the present total in Scotland.
“We have looked at a number of acquisition opportunities in England but the right deal hasn’t come up,” said Mitchell. “Instead, we’ve invested the cash by hiring business development managers.”
Shaun Millican, a partner at accountancy firm Johnston Carmichael, which has advised on the expansion strategy, said: “Spotless is an example of what can be achieved with a clear strategy and motivated management team.”
