Stonehouse-based Cotswold Energy Group (CEG) has been sold to an industry-leading insulation provider – just four years after the company was established.

And the change of owners for the key green employer in the county is leading to new job opportunities as the company moves ahead with fresh plans for expansion.

A spokeswoman told Punchline: "We will be looking to recruit new engineering roles of all types for our ongoing work."

CEG, which offers mechanical and electrical installation services through an in-house team of accredited engineers, will enable Hampshire-based South Coast Insulation Services (SCIS) to diversify its energy-efficient technologies and practices.

But the good news for Gloucestershire is that Cotswold Energy Group will operate as a separate division and retain its own brand.

Founders Jon Bonnar and Robin Hodge will remain with CEG, while fellow co-founder and director Aaron Stuart-Kelso resigned from his role on May 10th.

CEG, which operates from Upper Mills in Stonehouse and employs 70 people in total, trades in both the commercial and domestic markets, installing both air-source and ground-source heat pumps as well as solar PV. Shareholder are understood to have agreed to the sale as part of the company's growth strategy, the sale being advised by KBS Corporate.

Fabio Rambelli, KBS associate director said: "Jonathan, Robin and Aaron were looking to secure the value of the company while simultaneously sourcing capital investment."

SCIS enjoys the status of being a Tier 1 partner to several of the big-six energy suppliers.

Nicolas Gillanders, CEO, said: "We've been able to acquire Cotswold Energy in a move that gives us an opportunity to build on our existing offering as like-minded businesses, with a shared goal of helping customers reduce their carbon emissions."

CEG began as a partnership between Jon Robin and Aaron, the company says, "as three friends with different professional backgrounds - commercial, practical and technical. We fused and channelled our skills into creating a customer-centric company focussed on transitioning your home into the 21st century...We're a committed team of qualified engineers, designers, graduates, installers, enthusiasts... and most importantly experts."

The company stressed that its ethos includes "providing local jobs, supporting community engagement such as local fairs and climate action network groups and also talks at local village halls.

"Helping customers understand their choices is a vital part of our work. We work very hard to ensure you're delighted when you work with us and we focus on designing the best system that doesn't cost the earth."