LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM — (Marketwire) — 05/15/12 — First Utility () was named 21st in the Virgin Fast Track 100 at the end of 2011. The table compiles the 100 British privately-owned companies with the fastest-growing sales. First Utility entered the top 25 for the first time as its sales grew at 115% a year from GBP 6.1m in 2007 to GBP 60.5m in 2011.
2012 has seen the company pick up where it left off, with the introduction of a new energy saving programme, 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: “First Utility 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
Head of customer experience Steve McNeill recently announced a number of changes to improve . He stated: “I have recruited more staff to improve the responsiveness of our contact centre at peak times with additional staff coming on board over the next few months. We are improving the training of our call centre staff to empower them to resolve queries first time.”
“We have implemented new technology to improve access to customer services via web chat, Twitter and email. A dedicated online service team has been created to serve customers who prefer to email or tweet and the online service team are trialling live web chat to determine if customers find it useful.”
The future
Last year with US software vendor Opower to provide UK utility customers with energy-saving tools and advice tailored to their energy usage. The partnership includes plans to offer services such as text messages or emails to help UK customers make decisions about their energy needs. The programme is set for launch later in 2012. First Utility has previously stated the tools provided by the partnership could potentially save UK customers GBP 400m a year.
Learn more about 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. is headquartered in Warwick.
Contacts:
Rachel Brewin
01869 238089
07879 997 886