L-R: Phil Williams - Leathers Corporate Finance; Anthony Evans - Muckle, Peter Kirkham and Jonathan Bell - Smart.

North East consultancy acquired by SME utilities provider

A North East business energy consultancy has been acquired by a national firm that provides energy utility management and switching services to SMEs.

The founders of Smart Utility Management (Smart), which was founded in 2014 and is based in Chester-le-Street, has been acquired by Make It Cheaper (MIC).

The founders of Smart will remain with the business post-acquisition to oversee its integration into the MIC group.

Leathers Corporate Finance acted for Smart in planning and delivering the deal, with North East commercial law firm Muckle LLP advising the selling shareholders on the deal.

Peter Kirkham, Smart’s CEO and co-founder, said: “Joining forces with MIC means we can now serve our clients even better, offering them new products and services and helping them to save even more money.

“This is a win-win business combination and we couldn’t have done it without our former colleague Phil Williams and the tremendous support from Leathers Corporate Finance and Muckle.”

Paul Galligan, chief executive of MIC, added: “Switching is widely recognised as an effective way for businesses to lower their bills and find better service providers.

“Our latest acquisition cements our position as the leading, go-to solutions provider for SMEs that want to find the best energy, broadband and insurance deals.”

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