Hartlepool energy consultancy creates 50 jobs

Hartlepool based Utility Alliance, which helps businesses save on their energy costs, is set to create more jobs as it expands. Pictured are managing directors Darren Sutherland (glasses) and Bob Moore.

Utility Alliance - which specialises in reducing businesses’ utility bills - was set up by partners Darren Sutherland, 53, and Bob Moore, 37.

Hartlepool-born Bob said: “I know there was a little bit of scepticism around when the Mail reported last year our business model was taking on two senior staff and 16 apprentices by the end of 2015 followed by up to 50 workers in year two.

“But we had done our research and had every confidence that was achievable - as it is, we’re going to take on a few more than suggested.”

Over the last few weeks, work has been going on at the company’s base in The Innovation Centre on the Queens Meadow Business Park, preparing for a major expansion.

But the two managing directors believe this is only the beginning as they seek to build a major Hartlepool company quickly and bring yet more jobs to the town.

Watford-born Darren, who now lives in Blackhall, said: “Energy consultancy is a growth business because so many companies are only now discovering they can contact someone like Utility Alliance and we will work on their behalf to lower their water, gas and electric bills.

“It’s incredible that more than 70 per cent of businesses have never used an energy consultant before and with the resources and contacts we have built up over the years we often make quite dramatic savings - sometimes in the many tens of thousands of pounds.”

The first 25 of 50 new staff will be joining next month.