Serving the Teesside Business Community | 29
Splash Utilities
managing director
Tony Anderson is
creating more than
100 new jobs for
Teesside.
Splash is a ‘coup’ for Middlesbrough
R
oyal Middlehaven House is owned
by another Middlesbrough company
Python Properties, whose co-founder
Peter Broome described the decision of
Splash to move into the building as a “great
coup”.
“We developed this building in 2003-04
when there was not much here and we
have seen Boho develop, the police station
develop and other building work,” he said.
“Splash is a great coup for Middlesbrough
but it’s a great coup for us as well.
Middlesbrough has performed fantastically
over the last three years and I think it’s on
an upward trajectory that will continue to
improve.”
Cllr Charlie Rooney, Middlesbrough’s
deputy mayor and executive member for city
centre strategy, added: “It’s great to hear
Tony and Peter talking so positively about
Middlesbrough and we are getting the same
message back right across the city centre.
“There is a great amount of positivity
at the moment. The council’s Investment
Prospectus and the work being put in by
council officers in Economic Growth are
giving more and more confidence that
Middlesbrough is open for business.”
Skills – lead
trainer Kevin
Smythe is tasked
with training
Splash’s new
recruits.
Team – some of Splash’s key people
(left to right) team manager Brian
Walton, operations manager Julie
Newton and team managers Lisa
Newton and Matt Gattiss.
“All this support on the table really made
opportunities in other big
it a no-brainer to put a foothold in the Tees
cities but eventually opted for
Middlesbrough.
Valley and create more than 100 new jobs
He explains: “We looked at
and stimulate the local economy.”
Leeds, in fact we looked at a
number of cities outside the
Teesside area, in terms of where we were going
“There are a lot of small brokers out there,
to invest and kick-start this project.
but we’re not fishing in that pond. We have
“There were a couple of major factors
direct relationships with suppliers and we don’t
aggregate through any other broker.
in coming here. We knew the region had
unemployment and we could see there was
“We are basically a consultancy, where we
the chance of experienced people from other
offer businesses not just the chance to get better
industries that had transferrable skills, which
pricing but better services and an opportunity to
really attracted us.
access cutting-edge technology, including cloud
“Another factor was Debbie Ingoldsby and the
monitoring of energy usage.
“The deregulation has motivated suppliers to
economic redevelopment team at Middlesbrough
Council, who have been hugely supportive, and
look at reducing pricing and improving customer
we also received a £350,000 grant from the SSI
services, so ultimately that can only be a good
thing for customers.”
Task Force.
“All this support on the table really made it a
Keen to develop local community relationships
no-brainer to put a foothold in the Tees Valley and
as well, Splash has already agreed to become a
create more than 100 new jobs and stimulate the
major sponsor of Northern League football club
Billingham Town.
local economy. That isn’t pie in the sky, it’s a real
project and we’re creating jobs now.”
“It’s about awareness but it’s also about
investing back into the community,” says Tony.
Although still early days, Splash has already
established key relationships with suppliers
“That’s something we’re passionate about, we
including Scottish Power, Npower and Total Gas
really want to build partnerships on Teesside.
“We’re going to be a major player in the
and Power.
Teesside business community, but we need to
Tony adds: “I know some people can be
make sure we’re all working together to drive the
sceptical about energy brokers, but serious
region forward with its growth plans.”
savings can be made.
JOB CREATION IS
NO SOAP OPERA
T
ony Anderson is no
stranger to dramatic
storylines.
His actress daughter,
Natalie Anderson, is famous
for her roles as Stella
Davenport in the medical
drama The Royal and later
as Alicia Metcalfe in the ITV
soap opera Emmerdale.
She’s currently touring
the UK in Kay Mellor’s
production of Fat Friends
alongside Freddie Flintoff
and Sam Bailey
“I went to watch it at
Newcastle recently and it
was fantastic,” says Tony.
“I’m incredibly proud of
her.”
Splash Utilities is writing
its very own storyline for
Teesside now – so there’s
more to come...