But it is the approach to customer care
and service which will set Great Annual
Savings Group apart as it looks to change
perceptions of companies operating in the
energy industry.
Phil Andrew, associate customer
experience director, said: “At GAS we are
keen to stand out by doing things the right
way in an unregulated industry which has
gained itself somewhat of a nuisance tag.
“We have matured in seven years and we
have a sales division that thinks differently. It
is not just about getting customers on board
and abandoning them. We want to enhance
the customer experience. Many of our
relationships and ways of doing business are
the envy of our competitors.
“It is mutually beneficial to have a close
relationship. Our customers should not
feel that they have signed a contract and
that is the end of the partnership. It is the
beginning. It needs to develop, act as a
link which can build a network with other
businesses. And it is built on trust, not
suspicion, which has been the case in the
past in our sector, I think.”
From Groves’ Spennymoor Town FC
boardroom, the Durham club he has
propelled through non-league football for
the last 10 years, Great Annual Savings has
set up a Business Club in the town which
meets once a month to generate and share
experiences, opportunities and, hopefully,
business.
It is a model its staff have expanded
into a number of football clubs, including
Grantham Town and Worksop Town, and
they are also a member of Sunderland AFC’s
business club.
Great Annual Savings’ healthy growth has
of course enabled Brad Groves to expand
his workforce. Given his background, it
is no surprise the working class lad from
Easington Lane, who was director of a FTSE
company at the age of 26, is keen on the
apprenticeship route for potential employees.
When he was 16, and still dreaming of
being a professional footballer, he joined
Monument Sports in Newcastle, which was
eventually acquired by Blacks Leisure Group.
And when injury ended the promising
sports career, he took the apprenticeship
with Monument Sports, eventually going on
to hold a directorship with Blacks.
He stayed until he was headhunted by
Caudwell Group where he became managing
director at its London base until his return to
this region in 2008. Since then 25 apprentices
have started and flourished at Seaham,
in sales, IT, finance, HR, marketing and
compliance.
And once they are in the building and on
the payroll, it is that approach to creating
opportunity which really sets Great Annual
Savings apart from its rivals, through
visible sponsorship of cultural events such
as Lumiere Durham, Hardwick Live and
the Oyster Festival at the same venue near
Sedgefield, which has totalled more than
£100,000 over two years, to its commitment
to local charities.
Employees at Great Annual Savings can
(and are expected to) join the Give As You
Earn scheme which has raised more than
£70,000 for its three corporate charities,
Heel and Toe, Animal Krackers and County
Durham Food Bank.
As well as giving up one day per year for
one of those causes, staff must raise additional
funds through their own fundraising. It means
Great Annual Savings workers are as likely to
be found hanging from a charity zipwire off
the Tyne Bridge or Monkwearmouth Bridge, as
they are on the end of a telephone.
Phil Andrew added: “We have a
discretionary bonus against your targets
and you have to do something for one of
three charities and do something over and
above to raise some money, so we have had
parachute jumps, cake bakes, staff Mastermind
competition and this month we are having a
pool competition, you name it.
“Brad has raised and donated thousands over
the years for charity and I think his attitude is,
if he can do it, then his employees should be
doing the same.
“One of the market leaders going out
of business presents an opportunity for
us to show we can provide a good service,
and we look after our customers, ethically
support businesses and re-invest in the local
community.
“We are creating jobs as well as having a
positive impact on society. We are long-term,
not just flash in the pan. Brad came back to
the North-East because he wanted to make a
difference.”
Growth – Great Annual Savings associate customer
experience director Phil Andrew says the firm has
matured over the last seven years.
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