Franchise plan to take ethical cleaning firm’s impact nationwide

Ethical cleaning company Upbeat Clean has launched its first franchise as it looks to replicate the success and impact it has made in Derby.

Since it was established in 2020, the King’s Award-winning social enterprise has provided real living wage employment to people who have come to the UK in search of refuge and asylum through its parent charity Upbeat Communities.

Now, it has launched its first franchise in Tees Valley, partnering with a local charity to replicate the model it has built in Derby.

And it is in the process of partnering with more charities in major cities across the UK.

It is currently exploring opportunities in cities including Nottingham, Sheffield, Leeds, Manchester, Liverpool, Birmingham, Cardiff and Glasgow.

The ambition is to create a network of locally owned social enterprises that create employment opportunities for refugee women, generate unrestricted income for local charities, strengthen local communities and change perceptions around refugees and integration.

To support this, the firm is exploring the creation of a £1 million investment fund that would help charities access the capital needed to launch Upbeat Clean franchises in their cities.

Since launching in Derby, Upbeat Clean has made a big impact on the lives of refugee women.

Today, it employs more than 80 people – and this year will pay more than £1 million in Real Living Wage salaries to its Derby team, around 70% of whom are from refugee backgrounds.

Managing director Michael Gladwell said: “Over the last five years, Derby has helped us prove that a social enterprise can combine commercial success with life-changing employment opportunities.

“Having demonstrated that the model works, we are now looking at how it can be replicated nationally through partnerships with local refugee charities.

“At the moment, while public conversations about refugees can often focus on challenges, we have the privilege of seeing positive stories every day.

“We see people working hard, supporting their families, contributing to their communities and rebuilding their lives through employment.

“A huge amount of what has been achieved has been built on the courage, resilience and hard work of our team who turn up every day to deliver excellent cleaning services across Derby and beyond.”

In Derby, Upbeat Clean’s clients include Vaillant, Getinge, the University of Derby, Derby Museums, QUAD and Vaillant Live.

Joe Dunn, plant director at Vaillant, said: “We couldn’t be happier with the service provided by Upbeat Clean.

“The team takes real pride in their work across both of our plants and consistently delivers a professional, high-quality service.

“Their friendly, approachable attitude makes them a pleasure to work with, and their commitment to changing lives through employment makes the partnership even more meaningful.”

Last year, Upbeat Clean became the only cleaning company in the UK to receive a King’s Award for Enterprise for combining excellent cleaning with life-changing employment opportunities.

Councillor Nadine Peatfield, leader of Derby City Council, said: “Upbeat Clean is one of the most important social enterprises in Derby.

“It is a beacon for what business can achieve when commercial success and social impact go hand in hand.

“Supporting refugee women into employment benefits not only the women themselves, but our whole city.

“It strengthens communities, supports integration and challenges misconceptions about refugees.

“Winning the King’s Award is recognition of the remarkable impact Upbeat Clean is having in Derby and beyond.”

To watch a video about the work of Upbeat Clean, click here.