Member Article

Ashfield receives £100,000 investment from Finance Wales

A leading independent land, waste and water specialist headquartered in Abercynon has secured a £100,000 investment from Finance Wales, the leading SME investment company.

Ashfield provides specialist advice and project management services on all aspects of environmental liability management to a wide range of businesses, including banks, commercial and industrial property developers.

The company has grown steadily since it was established in 2006 and will now use Finance Wales’ investment to drive forward its international expansion plans.

The funding will also enable Ashfield, which also has offices in Belfast and Exeter, to explore new market opportunities such as landfill mining and waste management as well as providing advice on invasive species, asset management and helping developers maximise land value.

Ashfield’s managing director Andrew Pullman, said: “Ashfield started on the cusp of a recession but we are now starting to see things moving and feel the time is right for further investment.

“We have built strong foundations for the business through our team of former engineers, regulators, consultants and contractors who understand the complex issues around land, waste and water. This level of understanding is reflected in us being able to deliver value for money for our clients to enable them to achieve safe, protected sites at minimum cost.”

Finance Wales investment executive, Sam Macalister-Smith structured the investment from the Wales JEREMIE Fund. He said: “Ashfield has grown into one of the UK’s most highly regarded independent advisers in its field. Its ambitious management team is focused on further growth and has identified a number exciting new opportunities. Finance Wales is pleased to back the company’s ambitious international expansion plans.”

Since 2006, Ashfield has saved its clients tens of millions of pounds through the appointment of key consultants and contractors and through its efficient risk management service.

Andrew added: “The environmental market is a very exciting place to be at the moment with issues such as contaminated land, waste and new forms of energy all key topics of debate and areas we are making a real difference in.”

Ashfield is expanding its teams across the UK as it continues to record an increase in turnover year on year, with the latest financial figures recording an 11 per cent increase.

Following the investment, Ashfield has employed Dr. Claire Burns who has taken up the position of environmental advisor at the Belfast office.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Liam Donoghue .