Business utility provider Verastar Group has appointed former TalkTalk and Virgin Media director, Lee Hull, as its new chief executive.
Hull, who was the managing director of Talk Talk Business, has previously served as an executive director of managed services company Intercity Technology, as well as the chief commercial officer of cloud security company UKFast.
Verastar, which achieved a turnover of £183 million in its last financial year, currently provides water to 110,000 accounts and electricity and gas to 26,000 accounts across the Kinex, Clear Business, Unicom and Woav brands.
In October, the group revealed it had acquired he energy customers of Hull-based Axis for Business for an undisclosed sum.
Speaking of his appointment, Hull said: “Having watched Verastar’s rapid rise over the last decade, I am incredibly excited to lead one of Manchester’s flagship businesses through the next exciting phase of growth.
“The UK economy is going through major transformation, presenting many challenges but also significant opportunities in markets such as utilities, fibre connectivity, payments and insurance.
“No other provider offers the range of services that we do on one bill and, as UK businesses look for value and a trusted partner, Verastar is uniquely placed to simplify admin and reduce costs.
“Verastar is one of the best-kept secrets in the UK business market, with an enormous B2B customer base and 900 passionate and talented colleagues. We’re leading the way with 100 per cent green energy and helping huge numbers of businesses connect to the full fibre broadband they need to thrive in years to come.”
Hull replaces outgoing chief executive Chris Earle who had spent more than 20 years with the company.
Geoff Unwin, Verastar chairman, said: “We thank Chris for the remarkable job he has done in leading and transforming Verastar into the incredibly strong company it is today. Who, 22 years ago, could have believed the change that has so successfully taken place? We wish him every good fortune for the future.
“Lee brings a wealth of experience in B2B, having operated at exec level within some of the UK’s best-known brands. The small business market is one of the most vibrant sectors of the economy, and continues to be so, as evidenced by the rate of new company formation. Lee has all the attributes necessary to reach and service it.”