Wessex Water has acquired Flipper – an innovative automated energy tariff switching service to help energy customers save money on their bills. The water company has plans to further develop Flipper to ensure customers don’t overpay for utility services.

Unlike traditional price comparison sites, Flipper automatically compares tariffs on a regular basis, ensuring that customers are always on the best possible deal.

The service, which launched in January 2016, charges a small annual membership fee and ensures Flipper’s interests are aligned with customers by not taking commission from suppliers.

Flipper continually scans the market and switches its customers automatically up to four times a year.

Wessex Water said the acquisition underpins its commitment to help ensure customers get value for money, and an easier way to manage their utility services.

David Elliott, Wessex Water Group director of strategy and new markets, commented:

“Both Wessex Water and Flipper have the same vision to ensure customers are provided with excellent and affordable services.

“Flipper works by putting the customer first and takes away the pain of assessing complex tariffs and pushing commission-led deals. Quite simply, it ensures you’re on the best tariff and does all of the hard work for you. It’s all about doing the right thing for the customer and offering both value for money and a hassle free way of managing utility bills.

“It was clear from when we first met that Wessex Water and Flipper share a common vision.”

“We have exciting plans for further developing Flipper that ensures customers don’t overpay for utility services.” 

Existing investors in the business Nigel Evans and Stephen Smith have committed to remaining at Flipper and helping to drive the next phase of Flipper’s development.

Nigel Evans has been Chairman of Flipper since formation and has been the lead investor in the business.  Stephen Smith joined Flipper as a Director and major investor within months of the company’s formation. 

He is currently Director of Competition and Regulatory Strategy at Lloyds Banking Group where he leads LBG's retail competition team in the CMA retail inquiry.  He has over 20 years’ experience in the energy industry including seven years as an Executive member of the Board of energy regulator Ofgem.

Nigel Evans, chairman of Flipper, welcomed the deal and added:

“Today marks a major milestone for Flipper and a huge vote of confidence in our innovative and disruptive business model to transform the energy market.

“Under the deal, Wessex Water has committed to invest significantly in the business. This will enable us to rapidly grow customer numbers in energy.

“We will also look to respond to the feedback from Flipper customers and expand our automated switching service to other household bills.”

Click here to visit the Flipper website