Portsmouth firm enjoys a boost from Help to Grow Uni programme, now it’s giving back to the planet
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In this November edition of Business Talk, Becky Miles and Dan Lodge from the University are celebrating the successes of Antoni Dimitrov, Founder of Eco Drift based in Portsmouth, and former student at the University of Portsmouth.
Antoni Dimitrov came to the UK in 2010 with a dream of starting his own sustainable car cleaning business. He quickly launched Eco Drift, a waterless car wash that used eco-friendly spray with natural wax which cleans and protects the car paint in a single application, but found that his business didn’t immediately begin to grow. By 2012, Antoni had shifted Eco Drift into commercial cleaning, bringing the same sustainability-first ethos into offices and business parks.
As the company grew Antoni researched how to maintain a business with sustainable products, practices and ethics. For example, the company is part of the 1% for the Planet programme which sees the company donate 1% of its revenue to protect the environment.
Eco Drift also pays the Real Living Wage and uses eco-certified products such as Nordic Swan and Cradle-to-Cradle accredited supplies.
However, this strategic thinking alongside the day-to-day running of the business was difficult for Antoni. “It went from a small business to something bigger, and I needed a different structure for that. I needed managers to help and be a buffer between me and everyone in the company. Not having that separation when we had 30+ employees became overwhelming.”
To overcome this challenge, Antoni joined the Help to Grow: Management Course at the University of Portsmouth Faculty of Business and Law in 2024.
Antoni had never done a management course but was keen to broaden his skillset through the course, “I wanted to lead not just from my experience but with real leadership tools. The course became a catalyst for me to implement changes.”
Talking with peers on the course gave Antoni a new perspective. “I sometimes felt impostor syndrome, but working alongside other business leaders made me realise I already had a lot of valuable experience to share – from industry knowledge to sustainability, efficiency, and innovation.
"That shift helped me build confidence and develop a clear plan for my personal brand. Put simply, most people aren’t interested in cleaning services until they need you — but if they know who I am and what Eco Drift stands for, we’re front of mind when the time comes.”
Since completing the Help to Grow: Management Course, Antoni has grown Eco Drift’s headcount by 20% and increased the revenue by 25%. Today Eco Drift employs more than 50 people across Hampshire and beyond, supporting offices, business parks, and education providers.
Antoni also recently led the company through ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certification, embedding sustainability into both operations and quality standards.
While many factors contributed to this growth, Antoni highlights the course as a key driver: “It’s very helpful for anyone that is trying to grow their business. No matter what stage you’re at, Help to Grow: Management can help you avoid expensive mistakes and create a plan for growth.”
To find out more about the Help to Grow course visit www.port.ac.uk/help-to-grow
This month’s column is adapted from an article first published on the Small Business Charter website