LJM Solutions was set up in March 2023, right in the middle of global uncertainty about energy prices. Its mission is to help homes and businesses take control of their energy future through safe, high-quality electrical and solar installations.
The family business, which started in a garden shed, has grown quickly and now has a team of 14 skilled electricians, solar engineers and office administrators, all sharing the same goal to make a real difference to people, businesses and the planet.
Its work spans residential, commercial and social housing from large scale solar energy installations and rewiring projects to community retrofit programmes and domestic homes across England. It is based in Long Eaton, Derbyshire and its vision is to power a cleaner, more resilient future for the communities it serves.
Challenges faced
LJM Solution’s biggest barrier to growth right now is skills. The business employs a talented team of qualified electricians and solar engineers encompassing a diverse workforce from the local area. It also has a strong apprenticeship programme to develop the next generation of renewable energy professionals. But despite this, they feel a broader regional effort is needed to build skills capacity and while national policy and government targets focus heavily on decarbonisation, the region still lacks the skills and qualified people to deliver it.
LJM Solutions feel without substantial and sustained investment in local training its ability to grow at the same pace will be constrained.
Solution – Support Given
The business has been supported by East Midlands Chamber’s Business Adviser, Richard Smallwood through the Accelerator programme. Richard also previously worked with LJM Solutions while at Erewash Partnership.
Richard has undertaken a business diagnostic helping LJM Solutions access the right kind of support to move it forward. With guidance on the application, it secured a Growth Voucher with funding of £1,800 towards the cost of specialist consultancy which has been invested in SEO for its website.
Through Erewash Borough Council, LJM Solutions also secured a £20,000 grant from the Research and Development Fund which has allowed them to start developing a new product for the solar energy sector – a potential game changer for the industry. The hope is to work with local universities to develop a prototype and eventually bring it to market. It could also lead to the creation of a new local manufacturing site in Erewash, helping to anchor skilled green jobs in its community. Richard has introduced the business to the Chamber’s East Midlands Manufacturing Network (EMMN) to support this when the time is right.
Some of the team have also attended Accelerator training events including How to Safely Update your WordPress Website, The One-Hour Google Ads Course, Getting Started with HR and Introduction to Marketing AI & ChatGPT.
Impact – The Difference it’s Made
LJM Solution’s Managing Director, Lee Lindley feels the impact of the support has been nothing short of “transformative.”
In the past four months the business has employed four new team members and has vacancies for two more electricians, an operations manager and four solar roofers – real job creation for the East Midlands!
The results from the consultancy support have also been impressive. Lee adds: “It has completely changed the way we present ourselves as a business. It’s improved our online visibility, provided stronger lead generation and more meaningful engagement from clients who share our sustainability values. Vimana Digital, who delivered the consultancy support, has made the website more professional, secure and credible.”
The improvements have given new confidence to its principal contractors, strengthening partnerships and opening new doors. In fact, LJM Solutions have been approached to deliver three major social housing contracts under the Warm Homes government programme. It has also been successfully awarded places on several key regional energy efficiency frameworks including Nottinghamshire County Council and Greater Manchester Combined Authority. Contracts from these frameworks are expected to begin imminently, leading to more job creation and training opportunities.
Lee concluded: “For us, Accelerator support has been more than marketing or funding – it’s helped build confidence, credibility and momentum. It’s proven that when small local companies are given the right support, we can deliver growth that benefits not just our company but our community.”
“What I’m most proud of is how support has helped us turn our growth into something bigger than ourselves. It’s not just powering LJM Solutions – it’s powering opportunities for others too. Every new job, every new installation, every new contract takes us one step closer to a cleaner, stronger and more sustainable East Midlands.”