LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM — (Marketwire) — 04/24/12 — The tail end of 2011 saw First Utility () make its first ever entry into the top 25 of the Virgin Fast Track 100.
The exclusive list features the 100 British privately-owned companies with the fastest-growing sales. First Utility placed 21st after its sales grew at 115% a year from GBP 6.1m in 2007 to GBP 60.5m in 2011.
2012 has already seen more progress from First Utility, with the launch of the UK–s cheapest energy tariff and a revamped customer service function.
Cheapest tariff
Writing in The Sunday Times on 19th February 2012, journalist Ali Hussain commented: ” has been the cheapest provider since October last year. Last week it launched iSave v10, the cheapest dual-fuel deal, at GBP 1,027.” He went on the explain customer could save an average of GBP 224 a year by switching to the online monthly direct-debit deal.(i)
Customer service
In March head of customer experience Steve McNeill announced a number of changes to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of .
The new look structure includes a greater number of advisors on call at key times, an improved staff training function to increase first-time call resolution and the creation of a dedicated online team to respond to customers using email or Twitter.
Next steps
Last year First Utility announced a partnership with US software vendor Opower to provide UK utility customers with energy-saving tools based on smart meter data. The partnership includes plans to offer services such as text messages or emails to give UK customers the opportunity to make decisions about their energy needs. The messaging service could come to fruition as early as June this year.
First Utility has previously stated the tools provided by the partnership could potentially save UK customers GBP 400m a year.
Learn more about the iSave v10 tariff from First Utility at:
About First Utility
First Utility is the smarter independent utilities supplier, offering gas and electricity services to a range of consumer and business customers. It is the only energy provider to roll out smart meters to all its customers, throughout the UK. It is through the use of smart metering technology that First Utility can empower consumers to manage and reduce their own energy consumption and bills. First Utility is headquartered in Warwick.
(i)The GBP 224 saving quoted for First Utility–s iSave v10 dual fuel tariff was published in The Sunday Times with the statement;
“Switching to First Utility–s iSave v10 scheme, an online-only, monthly direct-debit deal costing GBP 1027 (on average) annually, you save GBP 224 a year …” (Hussain, 2012, p.4d)
Hussain, A, 2012. How To Beat The Income Squeeze. The Sunday Times (Money Supplement), Sunday 18 March, p.4d.
On the topic of First Utility–s iSave v10 dual fuel tariff being the cheapest The Sunday Times has stated;
“First Utility has been the cheapest provider since October last year. Last week it launched iSave v10, the cheapest dual-fuel deal, at GBP 1027 …” (Hussain, 2012, p.5b
Hussain, A, 2012. Consumers Urged to Take Power Away from the Big Six. The Sunday Times (Money Supplement), Sunday 19 February, p.5b.
Electricity and gas prices vary by region. GBP 1,027 is the average annual bill across all regions of the UK, inclusive of dual fuel discount at 13% (capped at GBP 80 for Electricity & GBP 100 for Gas inc VAT) and based on average energy consumption per year of 3,300 kWh for electricity & 16,500 kWh for gas.
Contacts:
Rachel Brewin
01869 238089 / 07879 997 886