Certek Acquires Aspire Laboratories

We’re delighted to announce the acquisition of Aspire Laboratories, a UK-based GMP contract analytical and microbiology testing laboratory serving the pharmaceutical, healthcare, medical device, veterinary and cosmetics sectors. Aspire operates from its facility in Dagenham, Greater London, and supports clients across the UK and internationally with a broad range of analytical and microbiological testing services.

Founded in 2017, Aspire Laboratories has established itself as a trusted, client-focused laboratory partner, combining strong scientific and technical expertise with a highly responsive and personal approach to customer service. The business provides analytical chemistry and microbiological testing capabilities. Aspire has built a strong reputation for understanding its customers’ technical challenges, providing direct access to experienced scientists and delivering accurate, reliable results with responsive turnaround times. This combination of technical strength, accessibility and client focus differentiates Aspire in a market where scientific quality, reliability and service are critical.

This strategic acquisition further strengthens Certek’s Life & Materials Sciences division, expanding the Group’s laboratory testing capabilities and creating additional opportunities to support customers across the pharmaceutical and healthcare sectors. Aspire’s microbiology expertise complements existing capabilities within the Group while broadening Certek’s service offering across analytical testing, quality assurance and compliance services.

David Harrison, Chief Executive Officer of Certek, said:

“Aspire is a strong business with an excellent reputation for delivering high-quality microbiology and analytical testing services, underpinned by strong scientific expertise and exceptional customer service. The business is a strong strategic fit for our Life & Product Sciences division and further strengthens our testing capability across the pharmaceutical and healthcare sectors.

What particularly impressed us was Aspire’s customer-centric approach. Clients benefit from direct access to technical experts who understand their challenges and can provide practical scientific support, helping the business stand out in a competitive market. We look forward to working alongside Sha and the wider team to support the next phase of Aspire’s growth.”

Sha Akhgar, Managing Director of Aspire Laboratories, added:

“Aspire is a strong business with an excellent reputation for delivering high-quality microbiology and analytical testing services, underpinned by strong scientific expertise and exceptional customer service. The business is a strong strategic fit for our Life & Product Sciences division and further strengthens our testing capability across the pharmaceutical and healthcare sectors.

What particularly impressed us was Aspire’s customer-centric approach. Clients benefit from direct access to technical experts who understand their challenges and can provide practical scientific support, helping the business stand out in a competitive market. We look forward to working alongside Sha and the wider team to support the next phase of Aspire’s growth.”

Aspire Laboratories will continue to operate under its established brand and from its Dagenham facility, with no changes to services, client relationships or day-to-day operations.

About Aspire Laboratories

Aspire Laboratories is an independent GMP contract analytical and microbiology testing laboratory headquartered in Dagenham, Greater London. Established in 2017, the company provides testing services to clients operating across the pharmaceutical, healthcare, medical device, veterinary and cosmetics sectors.

The business offers a comprehensive range of microbiological and analytical testing services, supporting customers with quality control, product testing, validation and regulatory compliance activities. Aspire is recognised for its responsive customer service model, providing clients with direct access to technical experts and laboratory analysts, alongside rapid turnaround times and a strong focus on scientific quality and reliability. The company serves customers throughout the UK and internationally.

About Certek

Headquartered in London, UK, Certek is an independent specialist testing, inspection, certification and compliance (TICC) services company that delivers a range of mission critical compliance services to an international client base. Certek acquires and partners with best-in-class companies in the sector and deploys a low-interruption, technology-led approach to integration and operations. Certek is passionate about growth and realising potential, and group companies are supported according to their specific opportunity set and requirements post joining Certek, with the approach being tailored to the situation at hand.

Founded in 2024, Certek comprises over 1,800 people who have technical expertise across health and materials sciences, built environment, asset integrity and inspection and governance, risk and compliance. Certek offers the combined experience and international reach of a large services company, combined with the structural agility, entrepreneurial drive and creativity you would expect from employee-owned business.