Jobs have been saved after a Yorkshire-based technology firm was acquired out of administration.
Published 26th Oct 2026, 12:49 GMT
Updated 26th Oct 2026, 12:52 GMT
Yorkshire entrepreneur Gary Martin has bought the hardware business and assets of Chameleon Technology out of administration, saving 22 jobs in Harrogate and securing the future of its smart meter display operations. Mr Martin, who originally founded and funded Chameleon Technology in 2010, has returned to rescue the business five years after stepping away following a management buyout. The acquisition was completed on Monday, for an undisclosed sum through Verve Energy Technology, a privately funded company backed by fresh investment.
The deal will safeguard 27 jobs in total, including key engineering, commercial and customer support roles, with the business relocating to new offices in central Harrogate and retaining a team in Hong Kong.
It will also secure the future supply of in-home displays used by millions of households to monitor their energy consumption and spending, a spokesman said. Mr Martin said: "I founded Chameleon because I believed people should have better information about how much energy they use and what it costs them. That matters even more today, especially when so many households worry about their energy bills.” Mr Martin led Chameleon through its early development and the expansion of the national smart meter programme before leaving following a management buyout in December 2020. Under subsequent ownership, the company expanded into software, data analytics and other markets. However, the business ran into financial difficulties, and administrators were appointed, the spokesman said. The rescue deal covers Chameleon’s hardware operations, including its in-home display products, manufacturing assets and associated expertise. It does not include the company’s software and data business. While 27 employees have transferred to Verve Energy Technology, other staff had already been made redundant before the acquisition. The rescued business will concentrate on supplying smart meter hardware to energy companies, with plans to restart production of its IHD3 and IHD7 displays. Martin Allison, of Rosedale Advisory, which supported Gary Martin and the management team on the acquisition, said: "Chameleon has a talented management team, a strong track record and products that are already used in millions of homes across Britain.” The administrators were S&W, with legal advice provided by Mishcon de Reya. Mr Martin and the management team were advised by Wilkin Chapman Rollitts and Rosedale Advisory.