Utility Aid

Utility Aid, energy brokerage for the UK charity sector

Utility Aid is an energy services company with its registered office in Sleaford (Lincolnshire, United Kingdom) that works with charities and not-for-profit organisations across the country. Its activity consists of negotiating water, gas and electricity supply contracts on behalf of its clients, as well as advising and representing them before suppliers. The firm presents itself as the leading TPI (third-party intermediary) in the charity sector and states it has been recognised as TPI of the year for the second time in three years.

Collective buying and contract negotiation

The company builds much of its offering around collective buying: it brings together thousands of charitable organisations to negotiate joint terms with suppliers. According to its own account, this model allows it to secure advantageous service agreements and, for clients with a single site, it also offers the possibility of switching supplier. The company states that for every new contract it formalises, it donates part of its fee to the Utility Aid Foundation, an entity that supports charities across the UK.

Management and cost control services

The service catalogue includes several lines aimed at avoiding overspend and simplifying energy administration:

• Dedicated account management: each client has a named professional who knows their situation and handles queries and administration.
• Bill checking: the company reviews invoices as they arrive to detect charges that do not add up.
• Void property management: it applies two methods of managing unoccupied properties to avoid paying usage costs on buildings that are not in use.
• Net Zero and carbon reporting: a specialist team helps identify sustainability-related savings and define the path towards the client's energy goals.

The firm states it has reduced response times to five days, compared with the industry standard of between ten and twenty days, and offers clear breakdowns of savings with no hidden fees.

Supplier relations and accountability

Utility Aid describes its relationship with suppliers as a framework of mutual respect and shared values. The company publishes quarterly supplier rankings that reflect their performance in the sector, exercises scrutiny on behalf of its clients and recognises those suppliers that stand out. For suppliers, working with the firm means gaining access to thousands of charitable organisations; for the organisations, it means having an intermediary that demands transparency and ethical treatment.

Certifications and corporate structure

The company holds registered ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 14001:2015 certifications. Its registered office is on the fourth floor of The Hub, Navigation Wharf, Carre Street, Sleaford, Lincolnshire, NG34 7TW. It is registered in England and Wales with number 04408718.

Location and contact

4th Floor of The Hub, Navigation Wharf, Carre Street, Sleaford, Lincolnshire, NG34 7TW UK