The head of a specialist Scottish energy company providing household gas and electricity services for the UK rental sector has been ‘crowned’ as Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year at Entrepreneurial Scotland’s 20th annual awards event.
Chris Gauld, Chief Executive of Spark Energy, was recognised by Entrepreneurial Scotland’s judges for leading the company in a successful push for growth in a market dominated by six established suppliers.
Borders-based Spark Energy was set up in 2007 to provide a rival service in the utility market to meet the needs of letting agents, landlords and tenants. Today the company has around 200,000 customers across the UK, serving many of the country’s largest private and social housing bodies.
Prior to Spark Energy, Gauld worked as head of sales for a lettings company, where he was ‘exposed to the cost and hassle’ experienced by agents and tenants with the Big Six British energy companies.
Spark Energy was set up with a team of three to provide a better service in the utility market. The idea was simple: provide a specialised service for rental properties that would help landlords by smoothing the transitions between tenants.
Spark Energy is now a £130-million pa turnover business with over 350 employees.
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