Hartlepool-based Utility Alliance among cream of UK firms after winning top star rating

Energy consultancy Utility Alliance, which has its headquarters on the marina, has been awarded the maximum Three Star rating by business watchdog Best Companies.

Last year, the firm was rated as a Two Star organisation so bosses are understandably delighted with the improvement shown over the last 12 months.

Judges said Utility Alliance had shown “the highest standard of workplace engagement, representing organisations that truly excel”.

Chief Executive Darren Sutherland said: “This is a fantastic honour and something which we are extremely proud of.

“It is quite a long process to be recognised, and various levels of judging take place over a number of months where all aspects of the business come under scrutiny.

“We were delighted to get the Two Star rating last year, so for the judges to recognise an improvement on that over the last 12 months and give us the extra star shows the progress we have made.

“That progress wouldn’t have been possible without the hard work put in by staff at all levels across the business, and I see this accreditation as a pat on the back for every single person who has been part of the team throughout 2019.”

A citation from Best Companies Chief Executive Officer Jonathan Austin said: “This improvement highlights you have shown the highest standard of workplace engagement, representing organisations that truly excel.”

More than 250 people work at Utility Alliance in Hartlepool, with an additional 200 workers based in Sheffield and Newcastle.