Bill sharing firm One Utility Bill has set out job creating plans in Newcastle after marking 10 years of trading.
The Ouseburn-based business was co-founded by Newcastle University graduates Chris Dawson and Dale Knight after their experience of a shared student flat. Their concept simplifies paying household bills for renters and homeowners across the Ƶ.
Since launching in 2014 the tech firm has received investment from Newcastle University, Northstar Ventures and Middleton Enterprises and has grown to employ 183 people. Having achieved official accreditation as a Living Wage Employer, it has now set out plans to boost its workforce to more than 220 in the next year.
Mr Dawson, CEO and co-founder said: “We are delighted to have gained this accreditation. Setting the bar high is one of our core values, and through our business goals and people strategy paying the real living wage is a key part of this. We want to create long-term opportunities and careers for local people. Several of our senior management team joined us in entry-level roles when we were a start-up, and we’re very proud that they have grown with the business.”
Mr Knight, CTO and co-founder added: " We’re incredibly proud to be marking our ten years in business with these achievements. This milestone is about more than growth figures, it’s about the way we want to grow - which is through investing in our people. Our Living Wage accreditation is another sign of this commitment to valuing our people, developing long-term opportunities, and scaling sustainably."
One Utility Bill secured its first £25,000 investment in 2015 and subsequently launched its bills inclusive product later that year. It then attracted £150,000 of venture capital investment via Northstar Ventures, which was followed up by £500,000 a year later and then £650,000 of investment from Middleton Enterprises, Pi Labs and others in 2017.
Olivia Fletcher joined One Utility Bill in 2016 when it was a start-up, as a sales advisor. Now in a senior role as a sales manager, she said: "I joined fresh out of university, when the business was only a year old. I’d never worked in sales before and instantly fell in love with it. Within a couple of years, I’d naturally progressed to a sales team Leader role.
"I started off managing a small team of four, but as the company grew so quickly in a short few years, I ended up with a much bigger team to manage and train. I’m now the sales manager of our One Utility Bill sales team. I love that it’s so fast paced and there’s so much to get involved with. Plus, it’s a real full circle moment for me - I get to hire people at the start of their careers, like I was when I joined, and give them the right skills and qualities for the future."
