Formby-based energy storage and generation specialist, Extreme Low Energy (ELe), and Hi-Impact Consultancy in Wirral were chosen for their ‘great innovation’. Tony McDonough reports.

Two Merseyside firms are among 25 elite businesses across the UK who have been chosen as the country’s first Commonwealth Export Champions.

The Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council picked out a selection of 25 outstanding UK SMEs with a great product or innovation to make up its first cohort of Export Champions, with just five of these coming from the North West.

Formby-based energy storage and generation specialist, Extreme Low Energy (ELe), and Hi-Impact Consultancy in Wirral are the only two Merseyside firms on the list.

They will receive support in their bid to win new business in the fast growing Commonwealth markets which encompass a potential market of 53 English-speaking countries and 2.2bn people.

Founded in 2014, ELe is a specialist manufacturer of energy storage systems and alternative energy generation.

Hi-Impact Consultancy supplies IT systems and services to the education sector.

Mark Buchanan, founder of ELe, said: “Being chosen as one of the country’s first Commonwealth Export Champions is a tremendous opportunity for ELe.

“We’re an ambitious business and believe the platform this status offers will greatly assist our expansion into international markets.”

Hi-Impact was founded by Alan Thompson and employs experts in IT using the latest multi-media equipment to exploit the benefits of using technology to “enhance creativity in today’s classrooms”.

Lord Marland of Odstock, chairman of the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council, added: “The companies have been selected on account of their ambition, impact and innovation credentials following a highly competitive selection process.

“We expect these companies to become ambassadors for Commonwealth trade and investment and through their success we hope thousands more companies will be inspired to expand internationally.”