Inflexion Private Equity has created Comparison Technologies, a multi-channel price comparison enabler in home services (energy, broadband, TV and telephone), through the simultaneous buyouts of Energy Helpline (“EHL”) and UK Web Media (“UKWM”).
Founded in 2002, EHL is a price comparison tool for the electricity and gas sectors. It operates in both the direct and affiliate channels via on and off-line customer conversion. Founded in 2001, UKWM is a marketing solutions and price comparison business. The business operates a number of price comparison websites which help customers to compare and switch a range of home services focused on TV and telephony.
Price comparison is rapidly becoming an important component of the sizeable home services market. Consumer demand for comparison and switching in home services is growing as people have more choices, both from new and existing suppliers. In energy, the regulator is focusing on driving down prices for consumers across all suppliers. In TV and telephony, consumers are now looking for independent advice to navigate increasingly complex and varied product offers.
The growth in the price comparison market is being driven by increasing consumer choice and technology that enables consumers to compare and change suppliers. We have seen this in the insurance market, and now Comparison Technologies has been created to offer a comparison and seamless switching service across the home services space. We are delighted to welcome industry veteran David Rigby as Chairman and look forward to working with him and the team to drive the enlarged business forward.
With Inflexion’s support, we are confident we have an exciting growth journey ahead of us. We were incredibly impressed with Inflexion’s dedication to our business even before the deal had been signed, with senior members of the team working with us to develop a clear growth strategy for our business’s future. We plan to build on the strengths of both EHL and UKWM to create a distinctive home service comparison business that will enable more consumers to save money and receive better service on products that families use every day.
Merging with EHL was an obvious and very easy decision to make. Our complementary skills, culture and approach are all aligned to create what will be a very exciting business. Together with the expertise and experience of Inflexion, we have the right support for the journey ahead.
Peter Callander, formerly of Saga, will become Chief Financial Officer of the combined group. The Inflexion deal team comprised Jonathan Ma, Tom Pemberton, Richard Wootten and James Stevens.
This deal was made by affiliated funds advised by Inflexion Private Equity Partners LLP.
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