British Gas profits up nearly 100%
British Gas saw profits soar and customer numbers rise as Britain suffered the coldest winter on record.
The Centrica owned energy supplier says its residential arm in the UK saw a 98% rise in operating profits to £585m for the six months to 30 July.
The firm says its price cutting drive in February helped it pick up 223,000 new customers and add 50,000 new households taking both its energy and services products during the period.
British Gas says that its lower prices meant that customer bills are lower than they were in 2009, despite gas consumption increasing 8% as the cold weather increased residential demand.
Its services business, however, saw a 3% drop in operating profits to £109m as the cold weather fuelled a record number of call outs.
The energy supplier is part way through a modernisation plan to transform the business and improve public perception. It includes a rebrand of its 10,000-strong fleet of vans.
British Gas restructured its marketing team earlier this year promoting former marketing director Rick Vlemmiks to commercial director, replacing Chris Jansen who has become the managing director of the British Gas Services division.
Former brand director Dean Keeling has also moved to head up the commercial marketing for British Gas’ new smart-energy business.
