Green Energy UK wins top customer service award

11 March 2010

Customer Kings Green Energy UK

Green Energy UK has been crowned Customer King 2010 at Cisco and Real Business magazine’s annual customer service awards. Green Energy UK, which supplies green and renewable electricity to homes and businesses in Britain, was chosen over more than 100 other businesses to land the top prize for creating the best customer experience.

What makes Green Energy UK’s triumph all the more remarkable is that it is in stark contrast to the findings of Cisco’s survey of 1000 British SMEs last month, which ranked utility providers second to bottom for customer service, only just ahead of trains. However, Green Energy UK is not your normal utility provider - it is the only private company in the UK to offer its customers the opportunity to part-own the company by giving them free shares. This unique scheme rewards customers for making the decision to go green with their electricity, and it provides them with an active voice and helps keep the company totally accountable to each and every customer. Green Energy UK customers can make suggestions at any time to improve the business, and they can attend the AGM and put questions to the board.

Green Energy UK founder and chief executive, Doug Stewart, says: “We are a small company that has come a long way in less than a decade of trading in what is a highly competitive market dominated by heavyweights. The success of Green Energy UK is built on bringing new, clean energy sources to market, coupled with treating customers with respect and intelligence and involving them in the business. To be recognised like this by Cisco and Real Business is a fantastic accolade, one I’m naturally proud of, particularly as customer service in our industry is not highly regarded. I am especially pleased for the team here, as it recognises the excellent work they do in making Green Energy UK a success.”

Green Energy UK was also highly praised by the judges for its online customer area, which enables customers to upload meter readings, compare their electricity use with previous months and years, and sets targets and provides guidance on how to reduce their electricity use further. Judges also praised Green Energy UK on the ease with which customers can get through to staff.

David Critchley, Cisco UK’s head of SME and commercial, said: “Customer Kings celebrates those businesses that show innovation and excellence when it comes to creating a lasting customer relationship. Green Energy UK has both of those qualities in abundance, blending a unique idea with a well honed understanding of its customer base and building a truly memorable brand and experience as a result. We are thrilled to recognise them as worthy winners of this year’s contest.”