Stories

Winning The Away Game – Nick Winstone

06 Aug 2025

“Redefining Cleaning, Naturally”

“In a market long dominated by harsh chemicals and outdated practices, BioVate Hygienics is pioneering a powerful alternative—one that merges sustainability, innovation, and service into a winning formula.”

Headquartered in Towcester, Northamptonshire, BioVate is shaking up the hospitality and commercial cleaning industries with naturally derived biotechnology-based cleaning products—and earning the trust of thousands of customers while doing so.

Supplying more than 8,000 hotels, restaurants, universities, and commercial sites across the UK, BioVate has established itself as the go-to partner for businesses looking to reduce their environmental impact without compromising hygiene performance. The company’s footprint spans from the Scottish Highlands to the Cornish coast, and its reputation is as clean as the solutions it sells.

Playing (And Winning) The Away Game

BioVate Hygienics may be a UK-based business today, but its origin story begins in Johannesburg. Co-founder Nick Winstone began his entrepreneurial journey in the South African financial sector before launching a biotechnology-based cleaning company in 2007. That venture quickly scaled to an R20 million turnover in just two years, proving there was appetite for a new approach to hygiene.

“We saw a real opportunity to do things differently—clean better, greener, smarter,” says Nick. “That vision took root in South Africa, but it had the potential to scale globally.”

In 2009, Nick brought the concept to the UK. Early setbacks forced a strategic reset, but the idea never faltered. BioVate was born from that resilience and has since evolved into one of the UK’s leading sustainable hygiene companies.

While the company’s foundations are now firmly in the UK, its reach is expanding. BioVate is making inroads into markets like the Netherlands and the Middle East. In the UAE, a fellow South African distributor is helping the company build market share with local insight and shared purpose.

Despite international demand, BioVate continues to grow with intention—prioritizing sustainable scale over rapid expansion. That means understanding each market’s legal, cultural, and operational nuances while staying true to the company’s values.

“We’re very UK-centric in our current operation, but the reality is that many new markets are finding us,” says Nick. “And we’re building those markets with trusted partners—many who share our South African ethos.”


Supporting a Global Green Movement

BioVate isn’t just changing how businesses clean—it’s changing how they think. With sustainability at the core, the company is assisting organizations to shift toward a cleaner, greener future.

Internally, BioVate fosters innovation and purpose. Externally, it advocates for broader industry change, supporting institutions like the Cleaning & Support Services Association and the Worshipful Company of Environmental Cleaners.

“We believe in business as a force for good,” says Nick. “This isn’t just about product—it’s about the legacy we leave for the next generation.”


A Call to Purpose-Driven Partners

As BioVate grows, it welcomes collaboration with like-minded individuals and businesses—especially within the global South African diaspora.

“At BioVate, we believe in the power of shared roots and collective ambition,” says Nick. “Whether you’re a Saffa entrepreneur, a distributor, or someone passionate about biotech and sustainability, we’re always keen to connect, collaborate and support.”

From mentorship and innovation to market expansion and talent development, BioVate is eager to build partnerships that drive purpose and profit in equal measure.

And with a business model rooted in innovation, sustainability, and service, they prove that doing good and doing well aren’t mutually exclusive. In fact, they go hand in hand.

“We’ve used cutting-edge, naturally derived biotechnology ingredients to lead the market in sustainable cleaning products,” says Co-Founder and Managing Director Nick Winstone. “But just as importantly, we’ve paired that with good old-fashioned services and strong relationships.”


Market Leader in Sustainable Hygiene

At its core, BioVate is more than a product supplier—it’s a sustainability partner. The company was built to challenge a multi-billion-pound cleaning market still heavily reliant on environmentally harmful chemicals. While biological products currently represent less than £50 million of that market, BioVate is on a mission to scale that figure dramatically.

“We believe in business as a force for good. This isn’t just about product—it’s about the legacy we leave for the next generation.”

“Our mission is to drive sustainable change in the hospitality industry and commercial cleaning sectors in every market we enter,” says Nick. “That means delivering high-performance products and offering education, training, and real-world support.”

BioVate’s model includes a multilingual online training academy and a national service team supporting clients on-site. This human-focused approach has helped win over some of the UK’s most prestigious five-star hotels, Michelingrade restaurants, and academic institutions.

Built on Partnerships, Driven by Purpose

BioVate’s strength lies in its collaborative business model. Whether it’s R&D or customer service, the company is known for building long-term relationships—with clients, distributors, and industry bodies alike.

“We listen very carefully to our end uses,” says Nick. “The cleaning operatives, kitchen porters, chefs, housekeepers—these people use our products daily. Their feedback directly shapes our product development.”

This responsiveness to real-world needs has earned BioVate more than just market share—it’s earned loyalty. Many of its UK distribution partners have worked with the company for over a decade. Internationally, BioVate adapts to local needs by empowering distributors who understand their own markets inside and out.

“We never assume a one-size-fits-all approach,” Nick explains. “Our distribution partners abroad help us adapt to regional regulations, cultural differences, and specific customer needs.”

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