Sapphire Utility Solutions
Sapphire Utility Solutions is a UK-based utility infrastructure services provider that delivers wastewater, clean water, gas, digital network, highways and traffic management maintenance through long-term framework contracts for water utilities, gas networks and local authorities.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2013
- HeadquartersPreston, United Kingdom
- Headcount501–1,000
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Sapphire Utility Solutions does
Sapphire Utility Solutions Ltd is a UK utility infrastructure services company founded in 2013 by Michael Patel and headquartered in Preston, England. The company delivers outsourced maintenance, repair and construction services across wastewater, clean water, gas, digital networks, highways and traffic management, supporting regulated utility providers (United Utilities, Yorkshire Water, Severn Trent, Cadent), local authorities (Lancashire CC, Wigan, Cumbria CC, Stockport MBC, Bury, Bristol CC) and property developers. Its core operating model is winning long-term framework agreements (e.g. £650m Yorkshire Water AMP7, £400m Severn Trent WINS over 8 years, 10-year Cadent West Midlands CMO) via competitive tendering, then delivering through regional depots and a specialised 350+ vehicle fleet.
The underlying technology stack pairs physical infrastructure assets with a layer of digital tooling: a proprietary Network Intelligence System for real-time asset mapping, 1,700+ deployed HWM flood-detection sensors, the VAPAR AI pipe-inspection platform (third-party computer vision), Power BI operational dashboards, RedSky contract costing, Samsara fleet management, e20io training compliance and an internally developed Upskill E-Learning platform. Differentiated equipment includes Jet Vac Recyclers, the Urban Recycler, Civils Resolution Vehicles and the first fully electric sewer cleaning unit (265 kWh Li-ion, 4m³ tank, up to 80% carbon reduction). The company monetises almost exclusively through managed-services contract revenue on long-duration frameworks; pricing is not publicly disclosed. The company holds GIRS, NERS, WIRS and WIAPS industry registrations, Cyber Essentials Plus, multiple RoSPA Gold awards and was named Utility Company of the Year 2023.
Between 2019 and 2021 Sapphire scaled turnover from approximately £22m to a projected £100m+, growing headcount to 1,400+ direct employees and expanding operations from a North West base into Yorkshire, the West Midlands and mid-Wales. Ownership remains private and concentrated with founder Michael Patel, with Colin Kelly serving as Managing Director; no external institutional funding rounds are disclosed in the input data.
Sapphire Utility Solutions firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Sapphire Utility Solutions
- Legal name
- Sapphire Utility Solutions Ltd
- Website
- https://sus.co.uk
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2013
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 501–1,000 employees
- Short description
- Sapphire Utility Solutions is a UK-based utility infrastructure services provider that delivers wastewater, clean water, gas, digital network, highways and traffic management maintenance through long-term framework contracts for water utilities, gas networks and local authorities.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Sapphire Utility Solutions industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Utility Infrastructure Services
- NAICS
- Water and Sewer Line and Related Structures Construction (23711), Water, Sewage and Other Systems (2213), Natural Gas Distribution (22121), Utility System Construction (2371)
- SIC
- Water, Sewer, Pipeline, Comm & Power Line Construction (1623), Water Supply (4941), Natural Gas Distribution (4924), Sanitary Services (4950)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Water & Wastewater Pipeline Construction (Mains, Force Mains, Interceptors) (IMAFAGAC)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Emergency Response & Sewer Repair (Blockages, Collapses) (EUANACAL), Industrial Cleaning & Decontamination (Hydroblasting/Vacuum/Confined Space) (IMAIACAJ), Drinking Water Distribution Network Operations (Mains, Valves, Hydrants, Service Lines) (EUANAAAE), Distribution Network Construction (Feeders, Laterals, Service Drops) (IMAFAHAC)
Keywords
Where Sapphire Utility Solutions is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Preston
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
Sapphire Utility Solutions business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Infrastructure Construction and Maintenance Contracts: Long-term framework contracts and project-based work for utility infrastructure including clean water, wastewater, gas networks, and highways drainage
- Framework Agreements: Appointed to multi-year frameworks (e.g., Yorkshire Water AMP7 worth £650m combined, Severn Trent WINS contract worth £400m over 8 years, Cadent 10-year West Midlands contract)
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
Sapphire Utility Solutions product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Sapphire Utility Solutions delivers outsourced utility infrastructure maintenance, repair, and construction services across clean water, wastewater, gas, digital networks, highways, and traffic management. The firm operates long-term framework contracts and project work for major UK water utilities, gas network operators, local authorities, and property developers. Service delivery is supported by proprietary digital tooling (Network Intelligence System, VAPAR AI inspection, Power BI dashboards), a 350-vehicle fleet including the UK's first fully electric sewer cleaning unit, and a 1,400+ workforce operating from depots across North West England, West Midlands, Yorkshire, and mid-Wales.
Product overview
Sapphire Utility Solutions is a utility infrastructure services provider offering an integrated portfolio of core services across wastewater, clean water, gas, digital networks, highways, traffic management, and multi-utility sectors. The company operates as a unified service provider rather than a modular platform, combining field operations with technology-enabled intelligence systems. Core services include Network Intelligence for real-time asset mapping and monitoring, complemented by specialized vehicle fleets (Urban Recycler, Civils Resolution Vehicle, Pollution Response Units, Jet Vac Recyclers, and Fully Electric Units) that deliver field services. Technology platforms including Upskill E-Learning for staff training, Power BI Dashboards for analytics, and the Opus Street Works App support operations. The company serves major water utilities (United Utilities, Yorkshire Water, Severn Trent), gas networks (Cadent), and local authorities across the UK, with contracts including the £650m Yorkshire Water frameworks and £400m Severn Trent WINS contract.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Wastewater Services Outsourced wastewater network maintenance for UK water utilities, including sewer cleaning, relining (trenchless rehabilitation), pollution response (Pollution Response Units), Urban Recycler operations, and Wastewater Customer Services support.
- Clean Water Services Outsourced clean water network maintenance including Distribution Mains work and mains laying delivered under frameworks such as United Utilities' Distribution Mains framework.
- Gas Services Gas network construction and maintenance services delivered under a 10-year Construction Management Organisation (CMO) framework with Cadent, plus Gas Safe Multi Utility work.
- Digital Networks Support for telecoms fibre rollouts (e.g., the FibreCity fibre broadband programme), including civils resolution and Civils Resolution Vehicle support for missed handover sites.
- Highways Services Highways maintenance and drainage services for local authorities including Lancashire County Council and Bradford, covering gully cleaning, drainage, vegetation management, and winter maintenance.
- Traffic Management Chapter 8 compliant traffic management delivered as a standalone service under Section 71 frameworks for highways and developer clients.
- Multi Utility Multi-utility connections service for residential and commercial property developers, covering gas, water, and EV charge point installations including BD Living, BD Homes, Crawley, and Warrington sites.
Quantifiable outcome
- 99.94% waste diversion rate at Preston depots with 93.8% recycled
- +9 more outcomes
Companies that use Sapphire Utility Solutions
Customer profileNamed customers11 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Sapphire Utility Solutions technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration6 records
AI capability7 records
Feature12 records
Sapphire Utility Solutions partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- Bristol County CouncilminorPartnership with Bristol County Council for tree planting initiatives in local area, conducted in collaboration with Bristol Learning City and Trees for Streets to enhance biodiversity and improve air quality.
- Environmental AgencycoreCollaboration with United Utilities and Environmental Agency to safeguard environment by locating and rectifying crossed connections preventing contamination of clean water supplies with wastewater.
- State of MindminorPartnership with State of Mind mental health charity to promote mental health awareness. Conducted three sessions at Totally Wicked Stadium in St Helens and three at Brockholes Nature Reserve.
- Sapphire Cyber SecuritycorePartnership with Sapphire Cyber Security to manage security operations 24/7, ensuring monitoring and protection against cyber criminals who do not follow a 9-5 working day.
- VAPARcorePartnership with VAPAR providing AI software solutions for pipe assessments. Cloud-based platform where users upload inspection footage and AI processes video to identify defects. Follows 18-month trial with VAPAR's AI software.
- Network PluscoreJoint venture Customer Solutions Plus between Network Plus and Sapphire Utility Solutions awarded Severn Trent WINS contract worth £400m over 8 years for wastewater services across Midlands and mid-Wales.
- Enzen GlobalcoreJoint venture with Enzen Global awarded Cadent Construction Management Organisation contract covering West Midlands region for 10 years. Combines day-one delivery capability with innovation and transformation experience required to meet Cadent's business and regulatory requirements.
- Trees for StreetsminorCollaborative tree-planting initiative with Bristol County Council and Bristol Learning City to plant trees including Silver Birch and Cherry trees to support healthy ecosystem.
- Bristol Learning CityminorCollaborative tree-planting initiative with Bristol County Council for environmental protection and community improvement.
- Cape SPCminorPartnership with Cape SPC pollution detection dogs Milo and Tiko to support Phase 2 of battle against contaminated surface water, providing extra support in detecting pollution.
- Preston North End Football ClubminorInvincibles Pavilion Sponsor at Preston North End Football Club, demonstrating commitment to supporting local communities and promoting sportsmanship.
- United UtilitiescoreLong-term strategic partner for wastewater and clean water infrastructure. Sapphire is first supplier awarded United Utilities USC Leader Accreditation. Partnership includes Storm Spill Reduction Programme and network monitoring with HWM sensors.
Scale indicators20 records
Recent moves10 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Sapphire Utility Solutions competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Network Plus Services: Network Plus is a UK utility infrastructure services contractor delivering water, wastewater, gas, and telecom network services. It is Sapphire's JV partner on the £400m Severn Trent WINS contract, making it the most directly comparable peer in scale, services, and client base.
- Clancy Group: Clancy is a UK family-owned utility services contractor providing clean water, wastewater, gas, and multi-utility services to major water companies and developers. It is one of the closest direct competitors to Sapphire in the UK water utility services market.
- Morrison Water Services: Morrison Water Services (a M Group Services division) is one of the largest UK water and wastewater infrastructure contractors, serving Severn Trent, Anglian Water, Thames Water and others. It is a direct competitor for major water utility framework contracts.
- Barhale Construction: Barhale is a UK civil engineering and infrastructure contractor specialising in water, wastewater, and utilities work for Thames Water and other UK water companies. It is a direct peer in the water infrastructure services niche.
- Cappagh Group: Cappagh Group is a UK infrastructure services contractor providing utility, drainage, and civils services to water companies and developers. It operates in a similar niche to Sapphire with comparable clients and service lines.
Broad incumbents
- Balfour Beatty: Balfour Beatty is a major UK-listed infrastructure group with significant water, wastewater, gas, and highways services operations through its Infrastructure Investments and Construction divisions. It is a much larger incumbent that competes for the largest utility framework tenders.
- M Group Services: M Group Services (parent of Morrison Water Services and other infrastructure services brands) is one of the largest UK utility infrastructure service providers, operating across water, wastewater, gas, electricity, and telecoms. It is a broad incumbent operating across Sapphire's full service portfolio.
- Kier Group: Kier Group is a UK-listed infrastructure services and construction company with utilities and highways operations serving water companies, local authorities, and developers. It is a broad incumbent competing for similar framework opportunities.
- Murphy Group: Murphy Group is a UK infrastructure and engineering contractor operating across water, utilities, rail, and highways, serving major utility clients and local authorities. It is a broader incumbent competing for utility infrastructure frameworks.
Others
- Enzen Global: Enzen Global is a knowledge-based energy and utilities consultancy that is Sapphire's JV partner on the 10-year Cadent West Midlands Construction Management Organisation contract. They co-bid and deliver large framework contracts together.
Market position
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Sapphire Utility Solutions social profiles
Digital presenceSapphire Utility Solutions compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance11 records
Sapphire Utility Solutions financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Sapphire Utility Solutions leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles9 records
Sapphire Utility Solutions funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Sapphire Utility Solutions M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Sapphire Utility Solutions
What does Sapphire Utility Solutions do?
Sapphire Utility Solutions delivers outsourced utility infrastructure maintenance, repair, and construction services across clean water, wastewater, gas, digital networks, highways, and traffic management. The firm operates long-term framework contracts and project work for major UK water utilities, gas network operators, local authorities, and property developers. Service delivery is supported by proprietary digital tooling (Network Intelligence System, VAPAR AI inspection, Power BI dashboards), a 350-vehicle fleet including the UK's first fully electric sewer cleaning unit, and a 1,400+ workforce operating from depots across North West England, West Midlands, Yorkshire, and mid-Wales.
Is Sapphire Utility Solutions a public or private company?
Sapphire Utility Solutions is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Sapphire Utility Solutions founded?
Sapphire Utility Solutions was founded in 2013. It employs 501 to 1,000 people.
Where is Sapphire Utility Solutions based?
Sapphire Utility Solutions is headquartered in Preston, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Sapphire Utility Solutions make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Infrastructure Construction and Maintenance Contracts are the primary driver. The others are framework Agreements.
Who are Sapphire Utility Solutions's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Network Plus Services, Clancy Group, Morrison Water Services, Barhale Construction and Cappagh Group. Broad incumbents are Balfour Beatty, M Group Services, Kier Group and Murphy Group. Enzen Global is listed as an others.
Does Sapphire Utility Solutions have an API?
No public API is recorded for Sapphire Utility Solutions.
What industry is Sapphire Utility Solutions in?
Sapphire Utility Solutions's product category is Utility Infrastructure Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAFAGAC, Water & Wastewater Pipeline Construction (Mains, Force Mains, Interceptors), with a secondary code of EUANACAL, Emergency Response & Sewer Repair (Blockages, Collapses). Its NAICS code is 23711 and its SIC code is 1623.