One of the UKs fastest growing independent commercial energy consultancies – located in the North East – is firmly pledging its commitment to the region with the acquisition of a second business premises, the recruitment of more staff and an ongoing commitment to charitable causes across the region.
Green Energy Consulting – based in Gateshead – started life little over three years ago with only two staff and a handful of clients. Now the business boasts 29 staff, clients across the globe – including major brands like William Hill, Christian Dior, Yorkshire Building Society, The Church of England and AOL – and has ambitious growth plans for the coming year with a move into farming and agricultural markets and the planned recruitment of more staff.
Speaking about their success, Peter McGirr, director and co-founder said: “When we first started the business there was a real gap in the market for companies to purchase their energy from renewable sources through the national grid and benefit from the economies of scale and tariffs that many of the bigger brands were securing.
“As such we spotted a real opportunity to work with these companies and secure their energy at a financially accessible rate, whilst – in many cases – also enabling them to deliver against their brand values of buying a green, sustainable energy supply without the added cost.”
And for Green Energy Consultancy the sustainability values of many of their clients is also paramount to its own business principles.
The company prides itself on reinvesting heavily in the north east community, creating not only jobs within the region, but also supporting many local charities and good causes across the north east. Amongst many, this includes support for the Children’s Heart Unit at the Freeman Hospital (CHUF) as well as for a number of other regional businesses and good causes including holding silver partner status at The Sage and sponsoring local sporting venues such as Low Fell cricket club and Ravensworth Golf Club.
Speaking about their CSR commitments, Peter added: “Right from the outset it was very important to us that we reinvested in the community that enabled us to build a successful north east business. As such we are firmly committed to being, not only a strong and sustainable regional employer, but also ploughing a percentage of our profit back into the heart of the region.”
And with ambitious business plans for the coming year, it looks like these profits are set to grow further for the altruistic Gateshead business. With a reported turnover of half a million last year and a predicted turnover of 1.2million this year, the business expects to practically double its staff numbers by the summer of next year.
The growth is coupled with the purchase of a second successful energy consultancy in Boston, Lincolnshire – EMS – specialising in the agricultural, holiday village and caravan market and which will enable Green Energy Consulting to deliver against its business plans of moving into new markets.
Combine this with a move into water switching with the formation of Clear Water Consulting, a business enabling customers to move to more cost effective tariffs, and it is clear the business is on track for strong performance in 2016 and beyond.
A belief certainly borne out by the energy industry and the north east’s small business community with recent award wins and nominations at some of the most prestigious events. This has included the Federation of Small Businesses, North East business to business winner and a nomination as UK finalist in the 2015 Energy Awards.
Green Energy Consulting specialises in the renewable electricity and gas sector and works with companies to provide complete carbon management solutions that secure the most competitive contracts with energy suppliers across the UK.
The company works with SMEs through to large corporates and multi sites providing bespoke end to end energy management from initial concept to project completion.