Rugby League star attracts £20k BEF funding for cleaning venture

A Yorkshire commercial cleaning company run by a rugby league star is going from strength to strength thanks to help from the Business Enterprise Fund.

Matt Diskin, joint captain of Bradford Bulls and his uncle Terry Diskinare the directors of Aquabright, a cleaning company that specialises in industrial and commercial premises in the North of England.

The business is enjoying a period of growth after a £20,000 investment from BEF, which offers loans and assistance to entrepreneurs who have been turned down by the banks and is supported by the European Union.

Matt and Terry are now hoping to grow the business even more over the next two to three years by creating more jobs for people in the local area, building on the success that the help from BEF has given them.

“The Business Enterprise Fund has been absolutely fantastic in helping us out. The money they lent us gave us the boost we needed to help grow the business quickly”, Terry said.

“The money borrowed allowed us to take on several new staff, one of which had been without employment for the last six years.”

Aquabright was formed two years ago when Terry and his nephew Matt decided they wanted to go into business together. Although Matt has to divide his time between his rugby career and his two other business, Matt’s role in Aquabright has been invaluable.

Terry said: “I’ve worked in cleaning for a long time now, almost 15 years, but Matt didn’t have much experience of the cleaning industry before we set up.

“He’s not able to be here as much as he would like due to his Bulls commitments but I do enjoy running a business with him and it is great to have him on board. He’s got a great business mind.”

Terry said that he hopes the business can continue to grow over the next couple of years which would enable them to take on more staff and expand even further.

“BEF have been absolutely fantastic in helping us out, from giving us money to providing us with business support along the way.”