A North East utilities specialist is set to create 40 jobs in Newcastle with the opening of a new office in the city centre, as the company accelerates its expansion across the region. Procure Smart, established in 2022, will base its latest team at St James’ Place – a Grade A office space described by property managers as a stylish, modern hub a short walk from the mainline station, offering panoramic city views and amenities including private phone booths and concierge services. The recruitment drive, which marks the firm’s next phase of growth, will target sales and lead-generation roles, with one recent job listing for a Newcastle-based Lead Generator advertising a salary range of £30,000 to £40,000 per year.
Expanding footprint
Procure Smart was launched to help businesses reduce time and money spent on utilities and services, opening its first base and head office at Doxford Park in Sunderland. Since then it has expanded into Manchester, where an office opening in early 2025 created ten initial jobs, and it also employs remote workers in Dubai and elsewhere in the UK. The company, run by managing director Craig Shields and CEO Brad Groves, has now passed the 50-colleague mark, prompting the next phase of expansion into Newcastle. Head of sales Michael Tansey, who has over 15 years of industry experience, said: “We cannot wait to get Procure Smart Newcastle off the ground in May and continue on the upward trajectory which has been driven by the team at our Sunderland HQ over the last four years. As a North East lad, I’m in awe at the growth we are seeing in the region, and excited to be a part of it, building the first team to be based out of Newcastle city centre for Procure Smart. I hope to employ up to 40 new individuals who live our Smart values every day.” The company’s “SMART” values are Sharp, Motivated, Adaptable, Reliable and Transparent, and it offers staff benefits including uncapped commission, 23 days annual leave, healthcare cash plans, 24/7 counselling and a healthy breakfast and snack bar at its Sunderland HQ.
Tackling energy costs with new technology
Procure Smart’s expansion into Newcastle follows the launch of an online business energy switching tool, Switch Savvi. The platform provides businesses with a comparison-site solution for procuring gas and electricity, allowing users to compare and switch contracts online in a process the company says can be completed in under five minutes. Customers can create an account to save offers for later, though supplier pricing changes daily. The firm says Switch Savvi will play a key role in helping businesses combat soaring energy costs. The platform is linked to UtilityClick, a new customer relationship management system launched by Procure Smart in May 2025, which automates internal processes and gives customers a portal to view contract details, renewal windows and submit query requests. The company has also invested in a new human resources system, Breathe HR, to automate holiday bookings and recruitment onboarding. Further innovations are planned for this year, including monitoring and tracking software named SmartVu. The software will give customers a real-time view of their energy usage, enabling them to spot trends, improve efficiency and make further cost savings. Procure Smart recently announced it will be the shirt sponsor for Spennymoor Town FC for the 2026/2027 season, an enhanced partnership that extends its support for grassroots sports in the region.
CEO’s business history
CEO Brad Groves formerly ran Seaham-based Great Annual Savings (GAS), which went into administration in May 2023. Insolvency specialists at FRP Advisory, a business advisory firm with a restructuring team based in Sunderland, were appointed after a restructuring plan put forward by bosses was rejected by the High Court. HMRC had submitted a winding-up petition, and documents later showed the Government claimed it was owed £7.8 million. More than 100 jobs were lost at the £20 million-turnover former Sunderland AFC shirt sponsor, which had launched in 2012 and seen rapid growth. Groves has since founded The Groves Family Community Foundation, a charity aimed at tackling socio-economic problems in County Durham and Sunderland. Procure Smart remains an unfunded company, according to industry data, and competes in a market with 492 active rivals, including funded competitors such as Taulia, Zip and Vayana. Despite this, the firm’s head of people, Victoria Walton – who joined in May 2025 – has overseen a recruitment push that has helped the company achieve a net promoter score of 83, reflecting strong employee and customer satisfaction.
