What started life as a small social enterprise outside his native Larne has blossomed into a philanthropic business expanding across the globe – with partnerships throughout sport and culture.
“We champion people and innovation in our sector, with the ambition to be seen as the shining light to other businesses and industries to empower those with mixed abilities within the workplace,” Ross Lazaroo-Hood tells Ulster Business.
“We have been blessed – through the growth of Clearer Group since acquisition to have doubled our colleague numbers along with a number of successful internal promotions.”
Clearer Water is a socially responsible employer, building on its sustainability message and championing its mixed ability team –providing training and career development for additional needs, plus socially disadvantaged young people.
And 2025 is already set to be a big year for Clearer Group. It’s marking one year of the Clearer Water Irish Cup and its hydration partnership, and is about to break ground on a new multi-million pound production facility close by its current site, overlooking Larne Lough. It’s also targeting yet more global expansion.
“We are already being recognised as a new challenger brand, helping bar tenders bring a variety to their skill set and options to their clients to enhance choices,” Ross says.
“We see our position in the marketplace for the mass and mid-markets. Successes include being exported to Great Britain, with plans already in place for international growth in 2025 with new distribution and stocking partners.
“The team have invested heavily in research and development to make sure great taste is paramount. Also, as the world is taking notice of lo/no alcohol beverages we wanted to be leading the way ourselves and ‘raising the bar’ with our beverages. We believe that quality should not cost the earth, being able to elevate any drink for any consumer to access that experience, regardless of their budget.”
Clearer Water is bottled at source at Maghermorne, situated on the shores of the picturesque Larne Lough which leads out to the Irish Sea.
“Deep beneath the ancient lands of Magheramorne there lies an untouched pure natural ground water resource,” Ross says. “Buried beneath 65-145 million year-old thick sequence of volcanic lava, a pure white limestone – known locally as the Ulster White Limestone Formation.”
This year that demand for its products will see Clearer Group develop a new factory to ramp up production of its ranges considerably.
“My co-founder Sitki Gelmen and I have already invested significant time and resource into the Clearer Group over the last two years and we believe Northern Ireland and my own hometown of Larne are the right place to further invest and we are very excited about this next step in our evolution,” Ross says.
“Successfully receiving the green light with planning permission for our new water bottling plant, based only a few yards from our existing one and our natural source, Magheramorne in Larne, requires a seven-figure investment to boast sustainable growth into a new innovative facility, scaling our operations for new local markets and those abroad.
“Our colleagues’ individual growth is cemented going forward with this investment but will also bolster our fantastic local communities.”
Clearer Water is the number one ethical water brand in Europe, according to the Good Shopping Guide.
The new factory will increase production from 1,000 bottles an hour to 19,000 – assisting its own growth plans but also develop sister company Soileir Packing and Distribution for contract packing for those large retail partners and suppliers.
“We will not be looking to invest in automation for its sake but instead forging career paths, continuing our belief in learning and development for individuals’ skills and helping them achieve their goals so they can assist in our growth together,” Ross says.
“Our plans are transformational, developing the new plant, technology and product ranges including those still and with bubbles is happening at a fantastic time for the group with new enquiries for Clearer products being received from new clients each day.”
Ross says the expansion will see new roles being created, across a range of skillsets.
“Our Clearer team colleagues are our greatest asset – they are brand ambassadors and champions of Clearer Group’s mixed-ability team principles,” he says.
“All of our successes and to our immense pride, is owing to our colleagues and trusted partners. Clearer Water began as a social enterprise and is now a proven social impact leader among other social impact corporate companies for championing a mixed-ability team.
“Guided by our head of people and culture, Josh Ozcan, we aim to inspire other businesses to embrace the benefits of a mixed-ability team.”
Clearer Group has expanded its range over the last few years – bringing in new and innovative ranges.
“It has been a dynamic journey to date with winning three innovation awards, not forgetting our additional awards for both the Clearer Water and Clearer Twist brands, at the British Bottlers blind tasting awards.”
The Clearer Group includes Clearer Water, mixers Clearer Twist, premium workplace water solution Hydration Hub, Soilèir packaging and distribution and his family’s charity The RUSA Foundation.
It launched its mixer range – Clearer Twist Premium Tonic, Clearer Twist French Pink and Clearer Twist Ginger Ale.
Clearer Twist is now hitting hotels, bars and restaurants across the UK and Ireland, Cyprus and Turkey.
And it’s another important year for Clearer Group and sport – marking its first year of a decade-long water and hydration partnership with the IFA and Northern Ireland’s national football teams.
“This partnership includes the inaugural Clearer Water Irish Cup, which concluded with the fastest selling out of a final in the history of the fourth oldest National Cup in the world,” Ross says.
“Praise must go to supporters of both Cliftonville FC, Linfield FC and all involved within the Irish Football Association who played a part in the marvellous final.”
Looking ahead, Ross says international expansion remains on the cards this year, and the years, to follow – while there will also be a a few big announcements during 2025.
“Of course, we would like to be the recognised number one water beverage group in Ireland – that is not out of the question for a lad with ambition originating from a council estate in Northern Ireland and a single parent mum,” Ross says. “This is an ambition that all at Clearer Group seek to achieve.
“International expansion is a target for 2025 and in years to follow, our goal is to develop our brands and our message to help people, so as to champion those disadvantaged and those with mixed ability to bring inclusion, diversity and equality to be the ‘normal’ within all industries. The future is open for our journey at Clearer Group, entrepreneurs like us that want to bring purpose to their industries have a bright future ahead and ours has started in Larne and will grow internationally.
“We have a major headline public partner announcement happening in the second quarter of 2025 which will bring both international brand awareness to Clearer Twist and with our partner, help us work together with a long-term agreement – but no spoilers as of yet.”