A fast-growing North East business has appointed two new board members as The Energy Check prepares for a transformational year in 2019.
CEO of fds and former winner of The Sunday Times Non-Exec Director of the Year, Jo Haigh joins the firm as chairperson along with non-executive director, Garry Peagam to bring new experience to The Energy Check as the firm steps up its efforts to achieve the next phase of growth.
Headquartered in South Shields, The Energy Check has undergone rapid expansion in four years and has seen the team expand from two employees to more than 120 across four global offices.
The Energy Check is a specialist utilities broker and consultancy, dedicated to helping businesses and homeowners get the most from their energy and water deals. A team of highly experienced energy saving experts and procurement specialists, The Energy Check’s focus is on supporting customers to not only get the best price for utilities but also to reduce consumption, reduce emissions and become more environmentally conscious.
Founder and MD, David Winton, comments: “Bringing together an experienced and engaged board of directors is a crucial part of our long-term strategy to meet our ambitious targets. Jo Haigh is a multi award-winning director and an incredibly well-respected figure in the business community. Her understanding of corporate governance is second to none and her experience of supporting more than 400 owner-managed companies will be invaluable to us as we grow, both domestically and internationally.
“Similarly, Garry’s track record in finance roles within the energy sector provides us with crucial expertise. Having worked with the likes of Ecotricity and Good Energy in the past I know he will be a real asset to The Energy Check.”
The appointment of Jo and Garry comes as The Energy Check prepares to launch its first large-scale consumer campaign, designed to establish the business as the comparison website of choice for homeowners and businesses looking to improve their energy and water deals. Over the next three years, the company intends to increase turnover by 160% and roughly double its workforce to 250 members of staff – many of whom will be based in the South Shields headquarters.
In a complex utilities market, the company aims to differentiate itself by focusing on supporting customers to reduce their consumption and increase efficiency savings as much as switching between providers.
An experienced dealmaker and expert in corporate governance, Jo Haigh is a regular presenter for the Institute of Directors and has held more than 40 non-executive roles. She says:
“I am thrilled to be joining The Energy Check as chairperson at what is an exciting time for the company. The business has a clear point of difference in a highly competitive energy market and over the next two years, our focus will be on developing a national presence, establishing The Energy Check as a recognisable consumer brand for reliability and quality of service.”
“As we grow, we are committed to driving the very highest standards and retaining the credible and environmentally conscious voice that has become part of our DNA.”
Garry Peagam has more than 30 years’ experience at senior board level, particularly within the renewable energy and service sectors. In 2012, Garry floated Good Energy Group plc and was more recently Group Finance Director at Ecotricity Group. He says:
“The energy sector requires challenger companies like The Energy Check to maintain a competitive market that serves domestic and commercial consumers effectively. I admire how David has driven the business and made it one of the go-to companies for independent energy advice and competitive pricing. I look forward to helping the company grow and enable it to reach out to more customers in new and innovative ways.”