85 jobs saved as new company acquires social enterprise

A London-based social enterprise has been saved from administration in a deal that has secured 85 jobs.

Clarity - Employment for Blind People, which produces cleaning products, had announced administrative measures last month, but has now been acquired by Clarity Products, which was formed specifically to acquire the enterprise.

The new company is part of South-African based engineering group MEWA, and is directed by Nicholas Marks, grandson of MEWA’s founder.

Nicholas commented: “We are pleased to have acquired a business that has a great history of providing social enterprise support to the community and look forward to working closely with the team as we work together to take Clarity onto the next stage of its journey”.

Philip Reynolds, partner at FRP, had been appointed as administrator for Clarity before the acquisition.

He said: “Clarity – Employment for Blind People is a fantastic enterprise that not only provides security of employment for visually impaired and other disabled people, which enables them to achieve independence and play a full part in today’s society, it creates a community that has a genuine, positive impact on people’s lives.

“Importantly this deal secures that community by saving jobs and guaranteeing future employment for a significant number of people, while also enabling the trustees to meet their obligation to maximise returns for creditors. We wish the team the best of luck on the next stage of its journey.”

Clarity’s board of trustees added: “The trustees are pleased that a new and committed owner has been found for the business.

“We are delighted that Clarity has a future and that both 166 years of history and innovation can be continued in a new entity, for the benefit of our beneficiaries, our customers and the wider market.

“The trustees hope that Clarity will continue to change the lives of disabled people and create a positive social impact. We wish both the existing team and also the new owner every success”.