United Utilities makes a splash in Scotland
UNITED Utilities is making rapid gains north of the border in the business supply market.
From 2017 competition is being introduced to the market for commercial customers in England, but competition has already been introduced in Scotland, which is proving to be a useful learning ground for Warrington-based group.
It has set up a new business unit, United Utilites Scotland, which has quickly won 50 customers trading at 1,500 sites, chief executive Steve Mogford told TheBusinessDesk.com.
As well as helping customers to switch suppliers the Scottish team provides metering, billing and water saving advice to businesses. Sue Amies King, who joined UU in 2012 from insurer Aviva as retail director, has also been appointed managing director of UU Scotland.
In the North West UU supplies around seven million people and 20,000 businesses. Mr Mogford said the opening-up of the business supply market in England is an “attractive opportunity.”
“We are already the second-biggest retailer up in Scotland and so far it’s going very well and we are keen to build on what we have.
“I think it is important that when the market opens-up in England, we are forward-facing on it.”
On Wednesday the company raised its interim dividend from 11.44p per share to 12.01p on the back of higher revenues and profits, which were boosted significantly by £280m in tax credits.
