Continued expansion the focus for electrical infrastructure firm after award win

A provider of electrical infrastructure to the commercial sector has praised Lancashire County Council’s scaleup support service after winning this year’s BIBA’s Scaleup award.

Serconnect, based in Great Harwood, Hyndburn, has more than doubled its team over past 18 months and is now embarking on a new strategy of national expansion.

The company won Scaleup Business of the Year award in this year’s Be Inspired Business Awards, which was sponsored by Two Zero, Lancashire County Council’s business support service for scaleup business leaders in Lancashire. Serconnect was also highly commended within the Construction Business of the Year category. 

Serconnect was formed in 2020 by six specialists in the electrical utilities industry. The business upgrades, maintains and provides new mains electricity connections from the region’s power network to commercial properties.

It grew rapidly to a team of 12 after its formation and two of its directors, Frank Bamber and Neil McKillop, joined Two Zero’s Scaleup Leaders Network in 2022 for scaleup-focused leadership support to help manage and continue this growth. 

The targeted programme is designed to help owners and managers of fast-growing businesses accelerate their expansion through sustained growth coaching and by learning from other scaleup leaders over a 12-month period.

Frank, Serconnect’s executive director, said: “Our directors have predominantly come from an operational trade background, we didn’t have much managerial or strategic experience before forming the company. 

“Stepping back from the business and sharing other professional leaders’ experiences has been extremely beneficial. The Two Zero network has helped Neil and I to recognise and discuss some of our challenges and has provided valuable insight from other leaders that we can apply to our own business.” 

While utilising the advice and support from services including Two Zero, Serconnect has continued its expansion, further invested in the appointment and development of team members and now has several nationwide maintenance contracts with larger clients.

Frank added: “We started with just six people back in 2020 and now have a team of 28, with more recruitment planned to sustain our nationwide maintenance contracts. 

“I would definitely recommend Two Zero’s programme to other business leaders. The group masterclasses helped us to gain business and industry knowledge while the peer group sessions gave insight to what obstacles other business owners are facing which we might have to tackle on our growth journey.” 

Serconnect is also innovating and expanding into new areas of the electricity market. This includes working with leading electric vehicle charge point operators to provide the electrical infrastructure for the installation of EV charge points at commercial properties – a significant growth area.

Earlier this year, the company moved into new larger premises in Great Harwood to accommodate its continual expansion, its third move in three years.

County councillor Aidy Riggott, cabinet member for economic development and growth, Lancashire County Council, said: “Serconnect first received support through Boost; Lancashire’s Business Growth Hub when the company was just starting out so it’s heartening to see through Two Zero, Lancashire County Council’s support has again helped the business during this next phase of growth.

“My recent visit to the company was a real eye opener and Serconnect is a prime example of a Lancashire business innovating, investing and benefitting the whole local economy. I look forward to continuing to follow the business’s journey.”

County councillor Shaun Turner, cabinet member for environment and climate change, Lancashire County Council said: “Improving access to clean and sustainable energy is a key priority for Lancashire County Council. 

“Through the company’s remarkable growth, Serconnect is not only benefitting the local economy, but also playing an important role in developing clean energy infrastructure both in Lancashire and throughout the UK. I’m proud that Lancashire County Council has contributed to this growth.”

The Scaleup Leaders Network is delivered by Cube Thinking, a Lancashire-based high growth business consultancy which previously delivered Two Zero’s highly successful Scaleup Resurgence programme during Covid-19.