Meeting James and the team at Powerful Allies was one of most valuable things to happen to me in the past few years. Their advice and guidance has been invaluable over what has been, and continues to be, a tumultuous period in every field but even more so in the energy market. They have made the decision making for St Joseph’s College straightforward and I am delighted to have them on my side as we navigate our way over the coming months.

Anthony Leggett (Bursar)

Salisbury Cathedral School is one of the oldest and most respected Independent Schools in the country, yet in common with others in the sector, we face considerable challenges on a daily basis. Consequently, it was a shock for me to discover that the school had been unwittingly locked into hugely damaging energy contracts, and our energy costs were spiralling out of control. My staff and I were placed under considerable stress at a time when we were working day and night to manage the fallout from COVID.

Fortunately I contacted Powerful Allies. James and his team were familiar with the School, and immediately took control of the situation. They worked behind the scenes with our suppliers and successfully persuaded them to reverse the contracts which had been set up without our authority. They then provided the brief to our solicitor to enable us to recover all the costs we had incurred to date.

I understand from James that mis-selling of energy contracts is reaching epidemic proportions, and urge other schools to contact Powerful Allies if there is any suspicion of wrong-doing. It is certainly worth asking them to look at your current contracts in any event.

Clive Marriott (Head Master)

We have been very impressed by the diligence and professionalism shown by Powerful Allies in carrying out a VAT review of our utility bills on our behalf.

William Trueman (Financial Controller)

I have been delighted with the service afforded us by Powerful Allies. They have been supportive, knowledgeable and invaluable, and none more so than during the lead up to the recent turmoil of utility costs. Their sage advice has saved the School a small fortune. Perhaps the greatest praise of all is that I have recommended them in the strongest possible terms to a fellow bursar and friend in need of some help. I know that he and his school will be in safe hands.

James Anderson (Bursar)

We cannot thank you enough for making the effort to meet with us yesterday. Your expertise is adding huge value to the school, and the boys, and we are extremely grateful.
We are looking forward to the new gas meters and continuing to work with you moving forward.

Tom Wates (Director of Operations)

In our dealings with Powerful Allies, they have been helpful, transparent and straightforward. Their assistance and expertise have enabled St George’s Weybridge to sign contracts that have significantly benefited both our schools. I would happily recommend them to other schools.

Greg Cole (Bursar)

We have been really pleased with the service provided by Powerful Allies. They took time to get to know us and understand our needs, and as a result provided strong analysis and advice that led to significant cost savings in a market where prices had risen sharply. Their ongoing support and response to follow-up questions and renewals has been similarly impressive.

Danny Boswell (Bursar)

A really fantastic experience to listen to your ideas on energy saving and management. In truth, it will take 6 months to digest everything, but we want to make a difference and we will start some of the items you recommended.

I would always recommend Powerful Allies on utilities alone, but this added knowledge is massive plus point for bursars and estate managers. Thank you so much.

Steve Vickery (Bursar and Clerk to the Governors)

We have really enjoyed our working relationship with Powerful Allies. They have enabled a clarity of understanding of the market we haven't previously enjoyed, which has in turn presented the opportunity to plan and control expenditure whilst seeking best value along the way. The client centric nature of the business makes them a pleasure to work with and enables a useful freedom of conversation pertaining to the utilities.

James Petrie (Estates Bursar)

We first met Powerful Allies at the ISBA conference last year and invited them afterwards to meet with us. We have found their approach to be professional, honest, transparent and knowledgeable. They have helped us to resolve some difficult issues. We would not hesitate to recommend them to anyone looking for an expert in the procurement and management of utility services.

Argentina (Estates)

Powerful Allies were able to make our energy choices simple! They ensured we achieved cost savings and an effective strategy for future energy management. The savings in time and money have been a huge benefit to the school. We feel they have truly bought in to partnering with us and they are with us for the long term. Even though we’re a small school not spending seven figure sums on energy, Powerful Allies still looked after us very well.

Julie Bromilow (Bursar)

Powerful Allies provide a highly professional service, clearly explaining the complex energy market and how it works to a layman, breaking down the tariffs and fees and ultimately they gave me the confidence to make an informed decision. Renewing energy contracts is a minefield and can be badly done through lack of understanding and lack of time to scrutinise the options. Powerful Allies have a straightforward and honest approach, work with you to find the right solution for you rather than pushing a service and I have absolutely no hesitation in recommending them.

Alexandra D'Arcy-Irvine​ (School Business Manager)

I was first contacted by Powerful Allies a couple of years ago when we were still ‘in contract’ with another broker/consultant. We were reviewing our current arrangements and James and his team guided me through our options ; they couldn’t have been more helpful. They explained in simple terms an industry which is too often obfuscated by the people giving ‘help and advice’. They have always been extremely helpful, responding to my queries promptly and with insight. Nothing is too much trouble. I have always found the whole team at Powerful Allies to be sincere, honest, trustworthy and very capable. They have certainly made my life easier! I would highly recommend them.

Vivien Sergeant (Procurement Manager)

We are very appreciative of the services you provide, and the highly ethical and professional way in which you and your team provide it. It is very refreshing, and we look forward to developing a long term relationship!

Gail Jones (Bursar)

We at Truro School have worked with Powerful Allies for some time. They have been clear and helpful identifying faults in existing contracts and showing where savings can be made. They are a small personal team who are all friendly, professional and always willing to answer my most basic questions. The energy market can be confusing and it is very hard to compare prices from the many brokers who can cold call me on an almost daily basis. It seem that it is standard practice to hide charges and make rates appear cheaper than the later bills will be. Powerful Allies are very open about all the energy costs and find deals that are best fit for the school’s needs. I would be happy to recommend them to other schools who need a clear and straightforward partner in the energy market.

Neil Rudge (Facilities Manager)

Many congratulations, I think this is an outstanding result and we are delighted with the work that James and your team have put into this. I think it’s a real breakthrough and ……. we are in a very good place. Thank you very much.

Ralph Arundell (Operations Bursar)

One of the first things I did when I joined my current employer 3 years ago was to look at our energy supply contracts; multiple gas, HH electricity and NHH electricity contracts, all supplied through one of the larger energy brokers.
My first opportunity to change any of the contracts was to look at our NHH electricity contracts, about 46 separate supply contracts in all.
Fortuitously James Robson made contact to introduce Powerful Allies, just at the right time, and I was able to invite him to test the market for me.
This gave amazing results. Our existing incumbent broker was recommending we stayed with our existing supplier with a cost increase of circa 18%. James Robson and his dedicated team at Powerful Allies were able to offer a new two year contract with an increase of just 1.67%. Needless to say after some verification and due diligence we opted for the new supplier deal.
That was back in 2016 and since then James has negotiated a 2 year extension to our existing gas contracts (48) with a negligible increase taking us out to 2021 with price certainty.
Now in 2018 James and his team at Powerful Allies are looking at renegotiating our NHH contract for another two years.
Earlier this year they negotiated a new HH contract for two years with an increase of less than 2% whilst the incumbent supplier was offering an eligibly comparable contract proposal for a contract increase of over 12% .
I can therefore fully recommend James Robson and his small dedicated team at Powerful Allies, who offer a dedicated personal service and will negotiate very competitive offers for gas and electricity (HH and NHH) contracts with transparency. Once they secure the offer they let you know what their charges are, so that you know and have visibility of those charges.
Give them a go you won’t be disappointed.

Brian Rollason (Building Services Engineering Manager)

Powerful Allies Ltd have acted as our energy brokers for the last three years ensuring transparent procurement of electricity and gas. In addition, they have provided proactive customer care, meeting our needs with a calm, reliable approach thankfully devoid of the jargon that bestrides the utilities market.

Jaret Bennett (Health, Safety & Environment Manager)

I think we first met James of Powerful Allies at an ISBA event. It made an impression and we decided to go with Powerful Allies when our energy contracts needed to be renewed. During the process we have been hugely impressed with his team’s friendly professionalism and efficiency, answering all those basic questions to help us understand this complicated market in order to place these contracts and giving us very good advice. It is good to know it doesn’t stop when the contracts are placed, help is always on hand and I am grateful to Matthew and his colleagues for their ongoing support.

Andrew Hale (Estate Manager)