The post 24-7 Group Acquires Optech to Enhance National Electrical and Communications Capability appeared first on 24-7 Group.
]]>Established in 1993, Optech has evolved from a niche telecommunications provider into a highly respected, multi-disciplinary engineering contractor. The company is recognised for delivering tailored, high-quality solutions to clients across a wide range of industries.
Optech will continue to operate under its existing brand for the foreseeable future. This approach ensures continuity and stability for clients, supports a smooth integration process, and preserves Optech’s trusted market identity while enabling continued growth with the backing of a national group.
24-7 Group will focus on strategic investment, capability expansion, and operational support, while ensuring Optech’s strong culture, leadership team, and customer relationships remain central to the business.
Expanding our Capability and National Coverage
Optech brings extensive technical expertise to the 24-7 Group services portfolio, including:
- Electrical design, installation, and testing
- ATEX installations delivered by CompEx-trained engineers
- High-voltage termination and jointing
- Fire alarm installations and FIRAS-approved fire stopping services
- Street lighting repairs, servicing, and installation
- Electric vehicle charging point installation (OLEV registered)
- AV installation and support
- CCTV, access control, and intruder alarm systems
- Cat5e, Cat6, and Cat6a structured cabling
- Fibre optic termination, splicing, and OTDR testing
- Emtelle-accredited blown fibre installation services
Executive Commentary
Andy Hawes, CEO of 24-7 Group, said:
“We are thrilled to welcome Optech to the 24-7 Group. Their technical expertise and strong track record make them an excellent addition to our team, strengthening our national capabilities and allowing us to deliver even greater value to our clients via our Circular Delivery Model. Together, we look forward to driving innovation, expanding our services, and creating new opportunities for both our people and customers across the UK”
Robbie Sanders, Managing Director of Optech, added:
“Joining the 24-7 Group is an exciting step for Optech. It gives us the opportunity to combine our expertise with a national platform, expand our capabilities, and continue delivering the high-quality, tailored solutions our clients expect. We’re looking forward to collaborating with the 24-7 team and contributing to the Group’s continued growth and success.”
Positioning for Future Growth
This acquisition supports 24-7 Group’s wider strategy to strengthen its engineering and facilities management capabilities across the UK. Working closely with Optech’s leadership team, the Group will focus on:
- Investing in people, skills, and technology
- Expanding the reach of Optech’s services
- Developing cross-disciplinary engineering expertise
- Strengthening national response and delivery capability
- Introducing additional technical services where appropriate
Both organisations share a commitment to technical excellence, high-quality service delivery, and long-term customer relationships, creating a strong foundation for sustainable growth.
About Optech
Optech is a specialist in Electrical and Data Network design and installations, offering a comprehensive end-to-end range of services, including design, installation, and maintenance of electrical and data network systems.
About 24-7 Group
24-7 Group is a UK-based engineering and facilities management organisation delivering integrated technical services across mechanical, electrical, FM, energy, fire & security, and fit-out. The Group supports clients nationally across multiple sectors with a focus on quality, responsiveness, and self-delivered service.
Press Contact
24-7 Group Communications
Email: james.pike@24-7group.co.uk
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]]>The post 24-7 Group Acquires The Leeton Group, consisting of Leeton Electrical Limited, Leeton Industrial Limited and Leeton Building Services Limited appeared first on 24-7 Group.
]]>12th December 2025 — 24-7 Group today announced the acquisition of The LEETON Group, a respected engineering and facilities services provider based in Peterborough. The acquisition forms part of 24-7 Group’s continued expansion across the UK and enhances its already significant multi-disciplinary capability across mechanical, electrical, HVAC, interior projects, and facilities management.
Established in 1978, The LEETON Group (consisting of Leeton Building Services Ltd, Leeton Industrial Ltd & Leeton Electrical Ltd) has built a strong reputation for professionalism, technical expertise, and long-standing client relationships across the industrial and commercial sectors.
THE LEETON Group will continue to operate under the LEETON brand name for the foreseeable future. This approach allows:
- Complete stability for existing clients
- A smooth integration process
- The preservation of Leeton’s trusted identity
- Continued growth of existing services and customer relationships
- The opportunity to enhance capability with the support of a national group
Expanding our Capability and National Coverage
The LEETON Group adds further significant expertise to the 24-7 portfolio, including:
- Electrical Engineering
- Industrial and commercial installations, inspection and testing, data cabling, lighting solutions, power upgrades, and control systems
- Mechanical & HVAC Services
- Air conditioning, ventilation, heating systems, gas services, and planned HVAC maintenance
- Interior Projects & Groundworks
- Commercial fit-out, refurbishments, partitions, ceilings, flooring, decorations, and supporting civils works
- Facilities Maintenance
- Reactive and planned maintenance across electrical, plumbing, heating, ventilation, refrigeration, and building services
- These additional capabilities enhance 24-7 Group’s ability to provide integrated, self-delivered engineering and FM services across the UK
Executive Commentary
Andy Hawes, CEO of 24-7 Group, said:
“The LEETON Group is a business with more than four decades of technical experience and a fantastic reputation. We are committed to protecting that legacy. Keeping the LEETON brand in place gives clients and staff continuity while we invest in growth, capability and long-term opportunity.”
Mark Ducker LEETON Electrical Operations Director, added:
Becoming part of the 24-7 Group allows us to strengthen what we already do well, while providing our clients with access to wider technical resources and national support. Remaining as Leetons ensures familiar faces, trusted service, and the same high standards our customers expect.”
Positioning for Future Growth
The acquisition supports 24-7 Group’s wider strategy to expand its engineering and FM capability across the UK. The Group will work closely with the LEETON leadership team to:
- Invest in people, skills, and technology
- Expand the reach of LEETON services
- Develop cross-disciplinary engineering expertise
- Strengthen national response capability
- Introduce additional technical services where beneficial
Both organisations share a commitment to high-quality delivery, strong customer relationships, and technical excellence — forming a natural partnership for long-term growth.
About The LEETON Group
Founded in 1978, The LEETON Group provides electrical engineering, mechanical/HVAC services, interior fit-out and refurbishment, groundworks, and comprehensive facilities maintenance to industrial and commercial clients across the UK.
About 24-7 Group
24-7 Group is a UK-based engineering and facilities management organisation delivering integrated technical services across mechanical, electrical, FM, energy, fire & security, and fit-out. The Group supports clients nationally across multiple sectors with a focus on quality, responsiveness, and self-delivered service.
Press Contact
24-7 Group Communications
Email: james.pike@24-7group.co.uk
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]]>The post 24-7 Group Appoints Sean Carroll as Operations Director to Drive Strategic Growth and Operational Excellence appeared first on 24-7 Group.
]]>With over 25 years of international experience in the construction and fit-out industry, Sean brings a depth of expertise that spans the UK, Europe, the Middle East and South Africa. He has built a distinguished career leading complex, high-value projects and scaling operational infrastructures for major global clients.
Sean’s background includes full end-to-end project lifecycle management, the successful delivery of multidisciplinary programmes, and a proven ability to strengthen business performance. Throughout his career, he has demonstrated a consistent track record of driving growth, increasing turnover, and building high-performing teams across diverse and challenging environments.
Sean brings significant value to the Group in areas such as:
- Project management methodologies and process optimisation
- Strategic operations management
- P&L ownership and commercial contract leadership
- Client and stakeholder relationship management
- Safety leadership and compliance
Sean Carroll commented:
“I’m excited to be joining 24-7 Group at such a pivotal moment in its growth journey. The team has built an impressive reputation for reliability, responsiveness, and high-quality delivery. I look forward to helping drive the next phase of operational maturity, supporting our clients, and enabling the business to scale sustainably and strategically.”
CEO Andy Hawes of 24-7 Group, said:
“Sean’s appointment marks another milestone for the business. His global experience, strategic mindset, and proven leadership in complex operational environments make him an ideal fit for 24-7 Group’s future ambitions. We are confident that Sean will play a key role in strengthening our operational foundations and helping us deliver even greater value to our clients.”
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]]>The post Driving change to shape our industry for a better future appeared first on 24-7 Group.
]]>ECA’s goal is to not only help members in the here and now but to also ensure the future of the industry is safe, secure and fair. Which is why the association works tirelessly to help shape government policy and supply-chain practice, collaborating with members and industry partners to raise and represent key issues.
The Northwest has the largest number of Members of all the ECA Regions; with five regional branches covering North Wales, Liverpool, Manchester, Lancashire & Fylde and Carlisle and the Isle of Man, which is a sub-branch of Liverpool & District Branch. The Regional team work closely with each branch who meet regularly to discuss important industry issues, local concerns and include interesting presentations such as technical talks, regulation updates and third-party organisation presentations.
Matt says “Alongside my role as Manchester Branch Chairman, I will be working closely with Gary Vizard to continue the excellent initiatives led by our outgoing chairman. Through my involvement with the Greater Manchester Electrotechnical Training & Careers Alliance (GMETCA), in partnership with the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce, we are collaborating with local colleges and training providers to tackle the skills shortage in our sector. Our shared goal is to create sustainable pathways for talent development and ensure the region remains at the forefront of electrotechnical excellence.”
The ECA’s mission to tackle the skills shortage and attract new talent to the industry is completely aligned to 24-7 Group and we are delighted that the ECA have chosen Matt to support leading the charge.
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]]>The post Jenny Ford Joins 24-7 Group as Head of Bid Management appeared first on 24-7 Group.
]]>From today, Jenny steps in as Head of Bid Management at 24-7 Group, bringing her mix of precision and pure competitive drive. She’s known for turning complex opportunities into winning stories — and for doing it with energy, zero fluff and a beaming smile.
Jenny’s not here to keep things ticking. She’s here to raise the game — building a bid function that’s faster, sharper, and unashamedly ambitious.
“Jenny’s the kind of person who makes winning feel inevitable,” says Charis McLean CRO of 24-7 Group. “She brings focus, passion, and a mindset that refuses to settle for second.” For Jenny, it’s all about momentum:
“24-7 Group’s growth story is just getting started. I’m here to make sure we don’t just compete — we lead.”
Expect structure with swagger. Strategy with spark. And a few more wins along the way.
Welcome to the 24-7 crew, Jenny. Let’s make some noise.
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]]>The post James Pike Joins 24-7 Group as Head of Brand & Marketing appeared first on 24-7 Group.
]]>From today, James Pike takes the reins as Head of Brand & Marketing, bringing his creative firepower, restless energy, and proven knack for turning good brands into unforgettable ones.
James has spent his career shaking things up — the kind of marketing mind that sees stories where others see spreadsheets. Now, he’s bringing that instinct to 24-7 Group, helping the business define what the next era of brand, culture, and customer connection looks like..
“James doesn’t do beige. He does brave,” says Charis McLean CRO of 24-7 Group. “We’re not looking for safe. We’re looking for standout. And James is exactly that.”
For James, it’s simple: “24-7 Group has an incredible story that deserves to be told in a way that cuts through the noise. That’s what I’m here for.”
So here’s to a new chapter — one with more edge, more energy, and a whole lot of personality.
Welcome, James. Let’s go.
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]]>The post Built By Us: 24-7 Group Appoints Charis McLean as Chief Revenue Officer appeared first on 24-7 Group.
]]>Manchester – 01/10/2025 – 24-7 Group, one of the UK’s most ambitious Total Facilities Management and technical services providers, has appointed Charis McLean as Chief Revenue Officer (CRO) — a strategic move marking the next phase in the Group’s mission to build a new kind of FM business: self-delivered, circular, and built for scale.
Charis joins the executive team to design and drive the Group’s growth engine — uniting sales, marketing, client success, and strategic partnerships under one mission: to create compounded value through creativity, control, and performance.
Recognised across the industry for blending strategic vision with commercial precision, Charis has a proven record of building high-performing teams, developing client-centric propositions, and delivering sustainable revenue growth. Her appointment signals 24-7 Group’s commitment to scaling its model, deepening client relationships, and driving consistent, high-impact growth.
“Charis embodies the energy and ambition that define Built By Us,” said Andrew Hawes, Founder & CEO. “This is a statement hire — the next step in building a business that combines operational excellence with commercial strength. Charis brings the leadership and strategic focus to accelerate our momentum and take us to the next level.”
As CRO, Charis will lead all revenue-generating functions, building integrated strategies that unlock new opportunities, expand market presence, and strengthen long-term client value.
“24-7 Group is redefining what great looks like in FM,” said Charis McLean, CRO. “This is a company with belief, vision, and capability — built to challenge convention and deliver lasting value. I’m excited to work with Andy, Spencer, and the team to drive the next chapter of growth with pace, precision, and purpose.”
This appointment reinforces 24-7 Group’s commitment to building a category-defining TFM platform — one that turns technical delivery into strategic advantage, and growth into a byproduct of excellence.
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]]>The post 24-7 FM Signs Three-Year PPM Mechanical Maintenance Contract Aldi UK appeared first on 24-7 Group.
]]>Scope of the Contract
- The contract pending to start in September, will continue for a full 36‑month term, focused on comprehensive mechanical systems across Aldi’s UK store network.
- Services include planned preventative maintenance, emergency responsiveness, and regular mechanical system health checks, covering heating, ventilation, HVAC installations, BMS and AC.
What this Means for Aldi UK
- Reduced downtime: Regular preventive servicing ensuring continued store efficiencies.
- Energy efficiency: Well‑maintained systems, leading to lower energy consumption and cost savings.
- Enhanced safety & compliance: Consistent checks to keep mechanical systems operating within all regulatory and manufacturer standards.
- Transparent performance tracking: Monthly reporting, KPIs and service reviews with a dedicated account team ensuring accountability and continuous improvement.
What This Means for 24-7 FM
Securing this significant PPM contract is a major milestone:
- Revenue stability: Three years of forward‑planning and predictable workstreams.
- Strengthened credibility: Achieving such recognition from a retail heavyweight like Aldi enhances our market standing.
- Operational growth: We’ll be scaling up regional support teams and investing in mobile diagnostics and IoT monitoring to maintain superior performance.
We are proud to be an integral part of Aldi UK’s operational infrastructure and look forward to delivering exceptional value over the contract’s full term.
This award underscores 24‑7 Groups operational strength, focus on quality engineering and technical services, and commitment to sustainable performance. We’re thrilled to partner with Aldi and excited to demonstrate the impact of high-quality self-delivered integrated facilities management.
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]]>The post The Benefits Of Work Placement Within The Engineering Industry: Our Experience appeared first on 24-7 Group.
]]>How and why did we decide to utilise this route of staffing the business? FM Projects Director, Lee Hudson to explain:
“Identifying the job pipeline was growing extensively, I asked our team for suggestions to help them resource the management of it. Former university student and now 24-7 FM Project Engineer, Scott Thompson, suggested utilising our local university who specialises in construction, to bring in a student on placement to assist our project managers. I was impressed with Scott’s suggestion, as he also highlighted that a student would be a great innovativing addition to our team. So as well as us teaching the student an abundance of industry knowledge, we could also learn new skills from them too, to enhance our processes and overall teams’ performance.
Approaching University Of Salford with our initial interest, kick-started a conversation to discuss options of employing work placement students full time upon completing their placement with us. The benefits this supports brings are simple as it builds on our existing teams management skills and allows student to get that first step into Full Time employment.”
We then reviewed a number of applications from University Of Salford eventually finding Justice’s CV, who’s passion for building and design stood out which led him pursuing a degree in Construction Project Management.
Why did Justice decide to apply for a work placement with 24-7 FM?
“I decided to apply for the advertised role, as it aligns with my career goals, offering valuable experience in managing complex M&E projects and the ability to contribute positively to a project management team.
Over my placement I want to gain practical experience and apply my theoretical knowledge to real world projects. This not only deepens my understanding of construction project management, but also contributes to my further understanding of the M&E sector. I intend to connect with industry professionals, and colleagues to build a network which can support my career growth and can provide various opportunities. I aim to understand and adapt to industry best practices & standards ensuring I am well-prepared for the future challenges I am bound to face. I will integrate practical experiences and case studies from my work placement into my academic work, enlightening my assignments with real world insights. To enhance my performance and match my learning with industry standards, I plan to regularly seek input from mentors and supervisors at 24-7 Group, making my final year studies more relevant and impactful.”
How’s Justice found his work placement so far?
“I have learnt many valuable things during my first month at 24-7 Group. I have learned a lot about project planning, coordination and how crucial they are in the successful completion of projects. I have also developed my knowledge of mechanical and electrical systems, strengthened my teamwork and communication abilities, as well as becoming more familiar with industry standards and practices.”
FM Projects Director, Lee Hudson, is very impressed with how Justice has adapted to the role, adding: “In such a small amount of time, we have already recognised the benefits of onboarding Justice into our FM team. By Justice joining our FM team over the past month and successfully completing out vital workflow tasks, we have already started to notice the benefit of enhanced productivity from our Project Managers, as it has allowed them to focus on more time-sensitive tasks within their roles.”
We are very pleased to have partnered with the University Of Salford to deliver an opportunity to provide industry experience, alongside education, resulting in a beneficial outcome for all parties.
Over the next few months we’ll post future updates on the progress of Justice and our relationship with the University Of Salford.
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]]>The post Leading multi-disciplinary engineering company, 24-7 Group have successfully acquired a new business – JW Jones and Son Ltd appeared first on 24-7 Group.
]]>This strategic acquisition aligns with their long-term growth strategy and will play a pivotal role in expanding their market presence, diversifying their product and services offerings, and enhancing their overall value proposition to their customers.
Key highlights of the acquisition:
Services: Since the 1950’s, JW Jones and Son has steadily grown, delivering fully serviced heating packages to both the domestic and commercial markets. More recently they have moved their service offering towards renewable energy sources including solar and air source heat pump packages. This “evolutionary” story is something that 24-7 Group value and plan to continue to nurture under their stewardship. The history of delivering high quality solutions for ¾ of a century, and the reputation this has built for JW Jones and Son, will continue to be, second to none whilst working with their new colleagues at 24-7 Group will bring added skills to their services.
Market Expansion: By acquiring JW Jones and Son, 24-7 Group are gaining access to new markets where relationships have been established over the past 75 years.
Talented Team: They are welcoming a group of highly skilled professionals from JW Jones and Son into their team at 24-7 Group. Their expertise, hard work and experience will be invaluable as the organizations work together to achieve their shared goals.
Richard Jones, Partner at JW Jones and Son, commented:
“I’m really pleased for the business to be joining the 24-7 Group. We know in their hands, the history and reputation that the Jones family has built up over 3 generations will continue, whilst the business will benefit from being part of a far bigger entity”.
Andy Hawes, CEO of 24-7 Group added:
“The acquisition of JW Jones and Son means which we have now incorporated, helps form part of our strategic growth plan. We are now capable of self-delivering “renewable” energy solutions including EV charging throughout the entire Northwest region and beyond”.
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