Member Article

Boldon's Square One Utilities demonstrates the ‘energy’ needed to build a winning business

Boldon-based independent energy consultancy, Square One Utilities, is celebrating its tenth anniversary with news that it reached the stage of brokering in excess of half a £billion in energy for its ever growing client base.

The company is based at the Quadrus Centre, West Boldon, where it was the very first tenant and is one of a number of home grown businesses based in the iconic building that is growing at a rapid rate.

Square One initially built its client list from influential companies within the North East such as Port of Tyne, AEI Cables, Newcastle Building Society and The Royal Grammar School and has since expanded nationally to include high profile clients such as The Royal Mint and Eton College.

As a result of many of the Square One utilities team having held senior management positions within the energy industry for many years at companies such as npower and Scottish & Southern, the company enjoys a very high standing within the energy industry and is hence able to procure energy on behalf of its clients at significantly lower prices than would ordinarily be available to customers negotiating their own contracts. However, price is not the only consideration when negotiating a utility contract and the company constantly reviews the products and services offered by all suppliers to ensure that clients get the best possible services during the entire term of their engagement.

Managing Director, Michael Harkus, who launched Square One Utilities exactly ten years ago with fellow co-founder and company secretary, Karen Bays, said: “Our energy brokering service is a very important part of our business.

“Energy markets can be extremely volatile and we need to be constantly alert and vigilant at all times and able to react quickly to secure the best rates for our clients when opportunities in the market arise.

“Reaching the stage of placing over half a £billion of energy for our clients is a huge figure and with it comes a big responsibility which our team are more than capable of managing thanks to our market experience and strong relationships with our clients which has been gained through delivering the very best result for them over a long period of time.

“Unfortunately, energy brokering is not as yet regulated by the Financial Services Authority and as a result, there has recently been a proliferation of individuals and companies claiming to be energy experts who actually have very little understanding of the market.

“This has unfortunately resulted in inappropriate advice often being given. In this highly volatile and complex market it is more important than ever that companies choose their energy services provider carefully by ensuring they have the appropriate industry skills and background.”

Michael, who prior to establishing Square One, was Commercial Development Manager within the former Northern Electric Supply Business before becoming National Sales Manager for the SME division of npower added: “We also provide a comprehensive package of utility management services ranging from dispute resolution and bill checking to energy efficiency and engineering advice.”

While the company has experienced sustained growth over the last ten years, it has always stayed loyal to The Quadrus Centre, and was the very first tenant to take up occupancy when the Centre officially opened in 2004.

Indeed, South Tyneside Council, which owns and manages the Centre, took the unusual approach of asking potential tenants including Michael to be part of a hand-picked working party to assist in developing the service levels which were to be provided at what has become one of the borough’s most iconic buildings.

Michael added: “I was delighted to be asked for my thoughts at the service level design stage for the Quadrus Centre. The facilities provided at the centre are of the highest level and with the building being highly energy efficient, it sits well with the culture of our business.

“We are still here ten years later as the longest standing tenant because the centre has been flexible in allowing us to take additional space quickly as and when we have needed to expand. The flexibility to easily move from one office size to another is also a major consideration as it means that company expansion is very easy to plan and can take place with minimal disruption.

“The building is perfectly placed for access to the region’s main road networks. Indeed, clients often schedule their own meetings within the facilities provided here because, as it is so central, parking is easy. Ongoing investment in terms of services and technology such as the recent upgrade to superfast broadband also keeps us at the cutting edge of connectivity.”

The award winning Quadrus Centre, located at Boldon Business Park, just off the A19, has seen a ten percent increase in tenancies over the last year. The past six months alone has seen new tenants such as Bradley O’Mahoney Public Relations, Serco, Atlantic Med Marine, Jones Engineering and Vinci Construction making The Quadrus Centre their home, bringing the current number of businesses housed in the centre to 28.

The impressive growth at The Quadrus Centre comes after significant investment was made by South Tyneside Council, with superfast broadband and ICT facilities on offer to attract even more exciting new businesses. Investment has also been made in the internal and external appearance of the building to ensure it is as welcoming a location as possible for all tenants, staff and visitors.

The revamped conference space, The Lake Room, is the perfect choice to hold conferences and events. Meanwhile, the relaxed and very comfortable environment that is Cafébar One provides top quality refreshments and is open to the public.

Lead Member for Regeneration and Economy, Cllr John Anglin, said: “This is a wonderful success story and it’s always really pleasing to see local businesses flourish.

“The Quadrus Centre has provided the perfect home for the company, allowing it to grow and thrive under one roof. Congratulations to Square One on reaching its 10th anniversary, it’s a great milestone.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by South Tyneside Council .