X Factor finalist ‘turns spotlight’ onto Teesside business amid investment

A musician and former X Factor finalist from Teesside is now happy to keep singing for pleasure as he devotes himself to his electrical business and the “ambitious” plans for growth that have secured an investment from UKSE.

Andy Pemberton, who began his career as a 16-year-old apprentice electrician, is now seeing Alps Electrical Ltd, the Tees based business he runs in partnership with his wife Isabella, taking on new team members to meet growing demand.

Alps Electrical provides a range of services to commercial and domestic customers but demand for its expertise in the solar energy and electric vehicle markets is proving particularly strong.

Andy, with brother Carl, made up Journey South, the duo that finished third in the 2005 X Factor, signed a record deal with Simon Cowell, created number one albums and toured the world.

Andy commented: “It was an exciting and special time, but seeing our business growing so strongly and being able to create jobs and apprenticeships in my home area is just as special. Helping consumers and businesses to reduce their energy costs and their carbon footprint is really rewarding.”

Alps Electrical has a strong reputation for its solar energy expertise, especially with commercial customers, and is the only Tesla Powerwall installer in the area, providing customers with an advanced form of storage for solar energy.

The growing team is also busy installing other renewable measures including EV chargers and using their decades of experience to provide regular electrical services to commercial and domestic customers including re-wires, new building installations and maintenance as well as free energy audits for businesses looking to reduce their energy costs.

Peter Taylor, UKSE business development manager, added: “The Fund helps growing businesses such as Alps Electrical at important times in their development. Our aim is to help businesses create jobs and regenerate local economies.”

Isabella Pemberton said: “This UKSE support is important for us right now, and is helping us to expand our vehicle fleet and our team. We are taking on a couple of electricians and one or two apprentices in the next few months as we want to give local young people the chance of apprenticeships.”

Andy added: “I am very proud of my roots and love everything about Teesside. The people in this area were so supportive of Journey South and voted for us in our X Factor days so it gives me great satisfaction to be able to offer a useful service for the area and to hopefully make a real difference”.

By Matthew Neville – Senior Correspondent, Bdaily

• Add me on LinkedIn and Twitter to keep up to date
• And follow Bdaily on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn
• Submit press releases to editor@bdaily.co.uk for consideration.

Looking to promote your product/service to SME businesses in your region? Find out how Bdaily can help →