Couple make clean start with acquisition

A husband-and-wife team have acquired a Warrington commercial cleaning business with the backing of a six-figure investment.

Henry and Hannah Sunley have taken ownership of Total Clean Warrington after securing support from NPIF II – FW Capital Debt Finance, managed by FW Capital as part of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II (NPIF II).

Established in 2013 and part of a national franchise, Total Clean Warrington provides commercial cleaning services for offices, schools, medical and NHS practices, car showrooms, retailers, haulage firms and hospitality businesses.

The acquisition represents a significant career change for Henry, who spent 25 years at Thomas Cook before becoming managing director at Travel Republic and Netflights.

Since taking over, the couple have focused on modernising the business, digitising client audits and introducing digital recording of working hours and mileage to reduce administration and improve accuracy.

They have also strengthened the management team to increase time spent with customers on site and created a new cleaning operative role focused on maintaining service standards.

Further changes include replacing single-use plastic bottles with reusable alternatives, with the business targeting a reduction of around 10,000 bottles annually.

Total Clean Warrington has also introduced Total Defence, an EN1276-certified virucidal cleaning system for medical and NHS practice customers, as Henry and Hannah look to build on the company’s established presence across the Warrington area.

Henry said: “After years in the travel industry I was looking for the right opportunity to move into business ownership. 

“Total Clean Warrington was the perfect fit, a well established business with a strong customer base we could build on. 

“We’re currently focused on stabilising and strengthening what’s already here before we look at growth, but we’ve already made real changes, digitalising processes that used to be entirely paper based, and introducing more sustainable products like reusable bottles and our Total Defence system for higher risk sites.”

Andrew Baxter, investment executive at FW Capital, added: “This is Henry and Hannah’s first acquisition and it’s fantastic to help them make the move into business ownership. 

“Henry was a senior figure in the travel industry and brings extensive business acumen to his new role at Total Clean Warrington. 

“The NPIF II funding has made this possible by providing the right financial backing that has helped Henry and Hannah to achieve their ambition of running their own business and make a positive contribution to the North West economy.”

Henry added: “The funding from FW Capital was instrumental in completing the acquisition on time.

“Both Andrew Baxter and Carol Bolland have been incredibly supportive throughout, guiding us through the process and offering far more than just the financial backing we needed.”

The £660 million NPIF II fund, operated by British Business Bank, provides loans from £25,000 to £2 million and equity investment up to £5 million to help small and medium-sized businesses.

Sue Barnard, senior investment manager at British Business Bank, added: “The Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II is helping ambitious business owners across the North secure the finance they need to take the next step. 

“The funding has supported Henry and Hannah in their move into business ownership, giving them the backing to build on Total Clean Warrington’s strong foundations while creating new opportunities for growth in the North West.”

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