Energy entrepreneur predicts £60m sales
A NORTH West entrepreneur who launched an energy supply business from his spare bedroom, is expecting sales at his three companies to double to £60m this year.
Fleetwood-based businessman and local football club chairman Andy Pilley, says the growth of his companies, BES Gas, BES Electricity and CommercialPower, will be fuelled by surging customer numbers.
The combined turnover of the three firms – which jointly employ 250 people based at Fleetwood Town’s Highbury stadium – was £30m for the year ending April 2011.
Mr Pilley, says that with wholesale energy prices still rising businesses are shopping around for better deals, and believes that his companies’ policy of providing customers with smart meters – which mean bills are accurate, not estimated – are key advantages.
He says: “Wholesale prices are rising and it is a very tough and hugely competitive market for energy suppliers. We have always sought to set ourselves apart with our service and that approach is paying dividends now as we pick up new customers.
“Businesses fork out a lot of energy, so another attraction for them is smart metering. It means they know the bill they are paying is correct and they don’t need to spend time and money on the phone disputing it.”
Mr Pilley set up his business in 2002 from his Lancashire home. In October
his companies announced a voluntary Code of Practice covering brokers acting on their behalf.
