Chris Gauld
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Products & Services
Spark saved after it’s bought by green energy firm OVO
Utility supplier Spark Energy has been bought by Bristol-based renewable energy firm OVO Group just days after Spark announce it was in difficulties, blaming ‘increasingly tough trading conditions’. Spark Energy is the only specialist utility company supplying the rental market and has been in business since 2007, accumulating 290,000 customers and a turnover of £140 million. “We will service our customers, under OVO’s licence, from our existing offices, and continue to grow our niche model of partnering with leading letting and estate agent companies,” says Spark’s CEO Chris Gauld. Based in Selkirk, Scotland, it employs 300 staff and has a significant number of letting agents and landlords including high-profile players including Countrywide. Gauld also said it is ‘business as usual’ and that its acquisition by OVO Group will ‘significantly benefit the rental sector’. He also says Spark’s customers will see no disruption of its service, which offers property portfolio managers and landlords easier and more cost-effective management of their property’s utility bills as tenants move in and out, including during voids. Renewables tariff The deal also brings a first for the rental sector from OVO Group; a 100% renewable energy tariff. Alongside its gas and electricity arm, Spark also supplies…
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Spark invests £1.5m in a digital future
Spark powers ahead with further investment in technology, introducing Ami the chatbot.
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Rental market specialist Spark Energy acquires broadband firm
Specialist private rental market utility company Spark Energy has acquired Sussex-based broadband, telephone and entertainment packages firm Home Telecom creating what the merged companies describe as the first “multi-utility” firm for the rental sector. Home Telecom, like Spark Energy, has been striving to exploit the huge growth in the private rental sector market in the UK with packages more suited to those renting via Assured Shorthold Tenancy contracts. Specialist provider Spark Energy is one of several specialist providers seeking to challenge the ‘big six’ suppliers in the UK and last year revealed that it is profitable and generating rising revenues, no mean feat in a highly competitive market where many start-up energy companies have floundered. CEO Chris Gauld (pictured) last year told the Financial Times that he expects to see his company’s revenue double by the end of 2018. “As the only energy supply company built around the needs of property managers, landlords and their tenants, we’ve been successful in growing a utilities solution to a national scale saving time, hassle and money for our all of our customers and partners along the way,” says Chris. “I am keen to build on those strong foundations not only by investing in…
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Spark Energy announced as sponsor of The Negotiator Awards 2017
The Negotiator Awards always launches with a bang and this year we are delighted to announce that we have a new headline sponsor – Spark Energy. Entry to the Awards is now open – it’s the only awards programme for estate and letting agents that has no entry fee and as such is truly inclusive, making winning a Negotiator Award the most prestigious accolade an agent can receive. It provides the most powerful of marketing tools to drive your business. You can find out all you need to enter, with full guidance notes, by going to: www.thenegotiatorawards.co.uk The winners of The Negotiator Awards 2017 will be announced at The London Hilton on Park Lane at a black tie gala dinner on 31st October 2017. Spark brings even more energy to the UK’s largest and most respected property Awards.” Announcing the partnership, Awards Director, Sheila Manchester (right) said, “Spark brings even more energy to the UK’s largest and most respected property Awards. “We are delighted to welcome them as our headline sponsor. Once the serious process of judging is completed by our expert independent panel, we look forward to the most exciting event in residential property agency. We’re planning a sparkling evening and…
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