The year 2025 has marked a series of remarkable achievements for Aspire, with a record-breaking surge in growth and recognition. The company has not only reached a new height by exceeding its £50 million revenue target ahead of schedule but also captured the Technology Business of the Year title at the Lloyds British Business Excellence Awards.
In a momentous acknowledgement of its service to the Royal Household, Aspire joins an elite group of 16 North East businesses awarded a Royal Warrant. Adding to these laurels, the firm proudly announced a fresh investment round from leading investor LDC to propel its expansion plans further.
LDC's continued support, now complemented by co-investor Federated Hermes, underpins a robust growth strategy. Revenue since LDC's original investment in 2022 has increased by 158%, while the team size has expanded by 55%, enabling greater UK reach and the completion of strategic acquisitions. This positions Aspire well on its journey toward the £100 million revenue target by 2030.
In the current financial year, Aspire's projected revenue stands at £71.2 million, with an estimated EBITDA of £13.5 million. Acquisitions such as Cloud Cover IT and CloudCoCo have bolstered Aspire’s portfolio, with regional hubs in Glasgow and Leeds contributing over £10 million in new revenue.
Currently employing more than 300 professionals across various UK locations, Aspire has witnessed its valuation soar from £85 million in 2022 to £192 million today. The growth is attributed to ongoing investments in essential infrastructure like private cloud services, network enhancements, and AI-driven tools. A commendable Net Promoter Score of 87.2 underscores customer satisfaction.
CEO and Founder Chris Fraser emphasises the strategic focus on delivering cutting-edge solutions and customer satisfaction. The synergy with LDC and the addition of Federated Hermes facilitate this trajectory, enabling future expansion.
Meanwhile, Gareth Marshall, managing the transaction, highlights the success of Aspire's market-leading growth and seamless integration of acquisitions. The incoming Non-Executive Chair David Murray is poised to drive further advancement with his extensive experience.
This transition marks the departure of Tim Hipperson as Non-Executive Chair, acknowledged for his crucial role during Aspire’s initial private equity phase.
