Utilities solution grows to meet high demand
Lettings Gazette

Spark Energy, the specialist supplier of utilities to the lettings industry announced further expansion fuelled by continued high demand from lettings agents and their commitment to 1st class customer service.

As an OFGEM licensed supplier of gas and electricity Spark Energy offer a tailored solution to the lettings market reducing tenant utilities admin and providing an additional income stream for agents. In response to the continued demand from letting and estate agents in the UK Spark have recently announced a doubling of their regional business development team as well as the relocation of their head office.

Director of Sales Chris Gauld commented "The market is crying out for a tailored solution to tenant utilities management. As an independent energy company we have complete control over pricing, commissions and customer service delivery. It's an area that is largely ignored by the big 6 and the existing resellers and brokers have little control over ongoing service delivery.

"We allow our clients to concentrate valuable resources on core business as well as creating an additional income stream. It's a win-win and the reaction in the industry has been overwhelmingly positive."

"As a result we are investing further in local business development managers to further enhance our agents experience and support network as well as relocating our head office to aid the growth of our dedicated customer service teams."

Although licensed to supply energy to anyone wishing to switch provider it's the opportunity for property management agents to aggregate the energy for entire property portfolios which is really catching the imagination. In return Spark Energy provide dedicated Partner Managers, employees based in the UK whose name, mobile number and email address are supplied to the agents, relieving the frustration caused by large call centres. Spark look after the administration surrounding the change of supply and change of tenant process and even cover the cost of energy during short void periods between tenancies.

This may sound like a good deal in itself but it gets even better, agents also benefit from a fee for every property switched to Spark Energy so for a typical property management company with 300 properties income amounts to around £13,500 over 3 years - and Spark do all the work.

The tenant will also benefits from a price guarantee, renewable energy targets and commitment to excellent customer service.

If you would like to know more then please telephone Spark Energy on 0845 869 4002 or visit www.sparkenergy.co.uk

New Utilities Company Set to Revolutionise the UK Property Letting Industry
Letting news-July 2007

Nearly all letting agents will recognise the problems inherent in administering utilities for rental property - from sorting out void periods, tracking down existing suppliers and managing move in and move out administration. As an OFGEM licensed supplier of gas and electricity Spark Energy offer a tailored solution to a market they know well.

Director of Sales Chris Gauld commented: "The market is crying out for a tailored solution to tenant utilities management. As an independent energy company we have complete control over pricing, commissions and customer service delivery. It's an area that is largely ignored by the big 6 and the existing resellers and brokers have little control over ongoing service delivery.

"We allow our clients to concentrate valuable resources on core business as well as creating an additional income stream. It's a win-win and the reaction in the industry has been overwhelmingly positive."

Although licensed to supply energy to anyone wishing to switch provider it's the opportunity for property management agents to aggregate the energy for entire property portfolios which is really catching the imagination. In return Spark Energy provide dedicated Partner Managers, employees based in the UK whose name, mobile number and email address are supplied to the agents, relieving the frustration caused by large call centres. Spark look after the administration surrounding the change of supply and change of tenant process and even cover the cost of energy during short void periods between tenancies.

This may sound like a good deal in itself but it gets even better: agents also benefit from a fee for every property switched to Spark Energy so for a typical property management company with 300 properties income amounts to around £13,500 over 3 years - and Spark do all the work.

The tenant also benefits from a price guarantee, renewable energy targets and commitment to excellent customer service

If you would like to know more then please telephone Spark Energy on 0845 869 4002 or visit www.sparkenergy.co.uk

Spark of excitement as energy firm to bring jobs to Borders
14th Sept 2007 The Southern Reporter

by Mark Entwistle

ONE of the UK's newest energy company, Spark, is set to create up to 150 jobs in the Borders thanks to an inward investment programme over the next four years.The company is to establish its headquarters at Ettrick Riverside in Selkirk and plans to recruit locally for its customer service, financial and management staff.

And the company, which was set up in Edinburgh earlier this year, has confirmed all the jobs will be based in Selkirk, much to the delight of town leaders.

"This is absolutely wonderful news for Selkirk and will give the town and the local economy a real boost," commented Mrs Edith Scott, chairperson of Selkirk Chamber of Trade.

Spark's decision to relocate from Edinburgh to Selkirk comes at an exciting time for the company in its 'David versus Goliath' assault on the energy market.

Announcing the news, the company said it was also another vote of confidence in the Borders as the region continues to grow and diversify its economy.

With supplier licences and an established customer base already in place, Spark plans to expand its role in the energy market by exploring niche opportunities ignored by the 'Big Six' suppliers. These include residential tenants, property companies and private landlords.

Spark is also claiming to be nimbler and more customer-responsive than its bigger competitors, offering convenient solutions to old problems, including smart meters that mean an end to estimated bills and SMS customer alerts whenever an online energy bill is ready.

The company has thousands of customers and claims it is currently signing up thousands more every week.

PJ Darling, the chief executive of Spark, says the decision to relocate to Selkirk ahead of a period of rapid growth was based on two key factors: "The quality of the workforce in the Borders and the fact that people living here tend to want to stay put and, for that reason, can offer companies loyalty.

"The support Spark got from Scottish Enterprise Borders (SE Borders) was also another important decider. They came to us offering time and a comprehensive support package, and it really felt that we were working with people at SE Borders who 'got it' and understood what it is we want to do.

"Spark has lots of ambitions, including to put something back into the Borders community by becoming one of the top 10 companies in the area."

Mr Darling said that Spark was prepared to pay above the regional salary average for the right staff, who should be self-starters and problem-solvers.

He said he was also looking at forging business links with the work already being done in the Borders to explore the potential of renewable energy.

David Gass, SE Borders senior director of operations, said: "We are delighted Spark has chosen to invest in the Borders.

"They are bringing jobs to the region and plan to create fairly significant numbers of quality new jobs in the future, all of which is great news for the Borders.“Scottish Enterprise Borders is committed to diversifying and growing the local economy, and first-class business facilities such as Ettrick Riverside and our range of support services enable us to attract and work with companies such as Spark to generate new investment and employment opportunities for the region.”

And Mrs Scott hopes councillors will now look to tackle the housing shortage in the Selkirk area. “There is not a lot of housing available in the town,” she said.

“Not all of these jobs will be filled by local people from Selkirk, so more houses will be needed.

“But it’s great news and will breathe some new life into the area.”

Selkirk move-Sparks expansion
Spark Energy in the news- 12th Sept 2007

A new consumer energy company has announced a move to the Scottish Borders as it unveiled plans to expand its workforce.

Spark, which was set up in Edinburgh this year, is to create up to 150 jobs in the next four years after it moves to new headquarters in Selkirk. With supplier licences and an established customer base already in place, Spark plans to target residential tenants, property companies and private landlords in a bid to cash in on niche markets not covered by larger firms. The firm said it wanted to link with work already being done in the Borders to explore the potential of renewable energy.