The Soilèir Group has acquired Clearer and its water brand Clearer Water from the AEL Charity for an undisclosed sum. Clearer Water is situated on the picturesque shores of Larne Lough and known for its premium, ethical bottled water, it will come under the Soilèir Group with immediate effect.
The two entrepreneurs purchasing Clearer Water are Ross Lazaroo-Hood and Sitki Gelmen who founded Landmark Holding Group, an insurance group. They also formed their joint family Charity The RUSA Foundation which seeks to promote grass root sports and building community spirit by providing relief, in whichever form necessary, to disadvantaged and underprivileged families.
They are no strangers to Larne with Ross being born and bred in the Seacourt Estate. Their other company Landmark being the established Principal Sponsor of Larne FC and their Charity jointly set up The Larne Laptop appeal with the Brighter Futures Charity in 2021. This new venture is one that will see them using their vast experience in growing successful companies to bring a fresh approach to Clearer which is ready for its next leap and expansion.
Clearer Water is recognised as a naturally stone filtered alkaline, spring water taken from a deep aquifer located at Maghermorne on the North Coast of Ireland. The water is of exceptional quality with a pH of 7.8 and rich in essential minerals, supplying premium bottled water across Northern Ireland and with a small footprint in England.
It is not just the source that makes this brand different with Clearer Water beginning life as a social enterprise company and a proven leader amongst both social and corporate enterprises for championing a mixed ability workforce. Clearer provides training and employment opportunities for socially disadvantaged young people in NI.
Soilèir are delighted to be able to share this great news and look forward to be working with everyone at Clearer Water, all our distribution partners and valued customers. Soiléir is committed to maintaining the ethos and integrity of the Clearer Water brand, confirming that Clearer will operate as a separate entity, retaining all the existing staff and have exciting plans to create further career and BE BRAVE BE FREE
employment opportunities for young people with additional needs, as well as, aspirations to expand Clearer Water’s product lines.
Soiléir’s dedication to their own and Clearer Water’s mixed ability workforce, their recognition of social value and their desire to manufacture traceable, ethical products will become an exemplar of how business can be better through inclusive working practices.
Soiléir’s success will challenge others to reassess their stance on social responsibility and we hope other companies will rise to the challenge, for the benefit of our communities, our economy and the NI business sector.
Ross and Sitki, joint owners of Clearer Water and Co-Chairmen of The Soilèir Group, said: “In addition to Clearer Water’s unique position and quality water, Clearer has been an inspiration in the NI communities assisting those with mixed working ability. A growing brand in Northern Ireland with a passion to be recognised further afield. We will be setting out a wide range of expansion plans, building the company over the short to long term future that will see growth for the brand and bringing more mixed ability career opportunities”, they continued,” we want to bring a vision of growth and greater impact to the local communities within the town of Larne and all over NI. At Soilèir we see the growing demand for exceptional bottled water and the Clearer acquisition will allow the brand to effectively respond to customer demands at home in NI and in new territories. We will be making some exciting announcements very soon to enhance the Clearer Brand and new product ranges – so stay tuned and please support everyone involved at the Clearer Water family; from purchasing our water to following us on all our social media platforms”.