Helping A Property Management Team Navigate Complex Utility Procurement With Confidence
Supporting a multi-site commercial property portfolio with straightforward, responsive water and energy brokerage.
Managing water and energy across a commercial property portfolio can be complex. Tenants move in and out, responsibility for supplies changes, contracts expire at different times, and routine administration can quickly become time-consuming.
For Catherine, Facilities Manager at Holloway Iliffe & Mitchell, having a trusted broker provides the expertise and guidance needed to navigate water and energy procurement across a changing portfolio.
Holloway Iliffe & Mitchell manages commercial property on behalf of landlords, with approximately 30 active supplies registered directly to landlords, alongside a further 10–12 supplies where tenants have vacated.
In these cases, the landlord temporarily becomes responsible for the supply until a new tenant takes over and the Change of Tenancy (COT) is processed. This creates an environment where effective water and energy management is about much more than simply finding a competitive price.
The challenge of managing utilities across multiple properties
Managing multiple utility supplies brings a significant administrative burden, particularly when properties regularly change occupancy. Supplier communication, billing, account administration and Changes of Tenancy all need to be managed correctly – and when something goes wrong, resolving it can consume valuable time. Speaking specifically about her experience with energy suppliers, Catherine explains:
“The primary issues we face consistently include administrative friction with billing portals, poor communication, and delays in processing Changes of Tenancy (COTs).”
She also highlights the time that can be lost dealing with routine supplier administration:
“We waste significant time dealing with excessive hold times to reach customer service and navigating repetitive GDPR scripting.”
For Facilities Managers responsible for numerous properties, these issues aren’t isolated inconveniences. They can become an ongoing operational challenge.
That’s where having an experienced water and energy broker can make a difference. Brokerage is about more than switching suppliers Finding the right utility solution doesn’t always mean switching to a new supplier.
For Holloway Iliffe & Mitchell, avoiding unnecessary administrative complications is an important consideration alongside price and contract terms. When it comes to energy, the business has recently chosen to renew with incumbent suppliers where appropriate. Catherine explains:
“This approach entirely eliminates the administrative burden of resolving final invoices from outgoing suppliers. It also prevents data flow-form errors and incorrect meter readings during transitions, thereby successfully eliminating subsequent billing disputes.”
This reflects an important part of Wodr’s approach to water and energy brokerage. Our role isn’t simply to recommend a switch. It’s to understand how a customer’s portfolio operates, assess the available options and provide guidance on the approach that makes commercial and operational sense. Sometimes that may mean moving supplier. In other circumstances, remaining with the incumbent may be the better option.
Bringing expertise to property management water and energy procurement
Facilities Managers have a huge range of responsibilities, and they can ‘t be expected to be experts in every aspect of the water and energy markets. Having access to specialist knowledge is therefore an important part of the broker relationship.
As Catherine explains:
“As someone who is not au fait with energy procurement, I must rely entirely on the expertise and professional guidance of a broker.”
For Wodr, that means making complex utility decisions easier to understand and providing customers with clear, practical advice. Catherine particularly values the communication and transparency she receives:
“Highly communicative, always provides prompt answers, and is completely transparent and straight down the line.”
These are principles we aim to deliver across the Wodr team and across both water and energy brokerage (via Utility Stream): responsive communication, specialist knowledge, transparency and straightforward advice.
Supporting a changing commercial property portfolio
Property portfolios aren’t static. Tenants leave, new occupiers arrive and landlords can temporarily become responsible for water and energy supplies during vacant periods. For Holloway Iliffe & Mitchell, this means utility requirements can change throughout the year.
Having a broker that understands this environment provides continuity. Rather than looking at an individual water or energy contract in isolation, we can consider the wider portfolio and help customers navigate procurement and renewals as their requirements evolve.
The value of that relationship isn’t measured solely by a percentage saving. It’ s also about having access to expertise when it’ s needed and a team that understands the complexities involved in managing utilities across multiple commercial properties.
Making commercial utilities simpler for property management teams
At Wodr, we help businesses navigate water procurement with clear advice, responsive service and a focus on finding the right solution for their circumstances.
For property and Facilities Management teams in particular, that means understanding that utility management doesn’t begin and end with securing a contract. From changing occupancies and multiple sites to procurement decisions and renewals, our aim is to make managing commercial water and energy simpler.
Managing water and energy across multiple commercial properties?
Talk to our team today about how our water and energy brokerage team can support your portfolio.
Delivering Smarter Utility Procurement for The Box Factory
The Challenge
Like many manufacturers, The Box Factory was facing increasing pressure from rising utility costs alongside growing sustainability and compliance requirements. Managing contracts across multiple utility providers had become time-consuming, while carbon reporting obligations demanded greater visibility and expertise.
They needed a trusted partner that could reduce costs across water and energy, simplify utility management, and provide the reporting needed to support their sustainability objectives—all without disrupting day-to-day operations.
The Solution
Working together, Wodr and our sister company, Utility Stream, delivered a fully managed utility procurement solution.
Rather than asking The Box Factory to deal with multiple contacts for different services, we assigned one dedicated Account Manager to oversee the entire project. From water procurement through to gas, electricity and ongoing support, every aspect was managed through a single point of contact.
We know how frustrating it can be having to repeat conversations to different suppliers and account managers. That’s why our joined-up approach gives customers one trusted expert who understands their business and manages every stage of the process.
Following a comprehensive review of the site’s utility portfolio, we:
- Procured a new competitive water contract through Wodr.
- Tendered and secured new gas and electricity contracts through Utility Stream.
- Optimised Meter Operator (MOP) arrangements to reduce metering costs.
- Introduced bespoke CO₂ reporting through our Daytona platform to support sustainability reporting and compliance.
The result was a streamlined utility strategy that delivered significant savings while improving visibility and reducing administrative burden.
The Results
The Box Factory achieved substantial savings across its entire utility portfolio:
- Water: £1,515 saved over the contract term.
- Electricity: £68,500 saved through our competitive tender process.
- Gas: £62,310 saved through our competitive tender process.
- MOP Contract: £550 saved through optimised metering arrangements.
Total Savings: £133,075
These savings were delivered without any disruption to operations, while ensuring full compliance through optimised MOP contracts and comprehensive CO₂ reporting via Daytona.
Client Testimonial
“Ollie and his team have been a breath of fresh air, having been let down by our previous energy brokers. They have been able to reduce our utility bills significantly with savings in places we didn’t even know existed.
They insisted on gaining a deep understanding of our business so that their advice could be tailored to our specific industry requirements. We feel like we can trust them with all our future energy requirements.”
A Better Way to Manage Utilities
This project demonstrates the value of bringing water and energy procurement together under one dedicated Account Manager. By combining the expertise of Wodr and Utility Stream, The Box Factory benefited from lower costs, simplified account management, and the confidence that every aspect of their utilities was being managed by a team that understood their business.
Churchmarketplace (CMP) – Simplifying Water Services with Wodr
Churchmarketplace (CMP) – Simplifying Water Services with Wodr Across Multi-Site Catholic Organisations.
Churchmarketplace (CMP) supports Catholic schools, parishes, and diocesan organisations across England and Wales, helping them simplify procurement, reduce risk, and promote sustainability.
Managing water services across large estates with multiple connections, separate bills, and different decision makers had previously been a major challenge. Particularly for multi-academy trusts and diocesan offices. Organisations struggled with complex billing, limited visibility of usage, and uncertainty over competitive tariffs, while also aiming to meet sustainability and compliance goals.
How Did Wodr Help Catholic Organisations Save On Their Water Bills?
To address these procurement issues, CMP partnered with Wodr to create a national water services framework. Wodr led the tender process and selected Business Stream as the preferred supplier.
Wodr and Business Stream were then able to deliver a solution designed to handle multiple supply points, separate bills, and the involvement of different decision-makers across sites. The framework provides clear guidance, billing transparency, and expert support while allowing members to implement water efficiency initiatives. This includes detecting leaks, and promoting sustainability within their schools and estates.
Implementation was straightforward.
“The process has been well structured and straightforward.”
CMP members received clear materials and ongoing seasonal guidance from Wodr, making it easy to engage with the framework without extra administrative burden. Specialist support reduced internal resource demands, enabling organisations to focus on their core mission while ensuring water procurement was efficient, transparent, and compliant.
What Results Have Catholic Organisations Seen?
The results have been significant. Participating members have achieved average retail savings of 31% on retail fees, with large contracts such as a £250,000 award in the Archdiocese of Birmingham. Improved billing visibility has allowed organisations to forecast costs and manage budgets more effectively.
Sustainability initiatives, including leak detection, water audits, and educational resources, have enhanced environmental stewardship across estates, supporting the Church’s “Care for Our Common Home” campaign.
Through this partnership, CMP has been able to offer Catholic organisations a structured, sustainable water procurement solution that delivers financial savings, operational simplicity, and environmental benefits, even across complex, multi-site estates with multiple connections and decision-makers.
How Sibford School Cut Water Costs by 35% with Wodr
Managing a school’s utilities can be complex, especially for a campus like Sibford School, an independent boarding school set on 55 acres in North Oxfordshire near Banbury. With 22 buildings—mostly classrooms and school facilities—the school’s water usage is significant, and keeping costs under control is a constant challenge.
Holly, the school’s Estate Manager, oversees all facilities management, health and safety, and the operation of the buildings. She explains that before working with Wodr, one of the biggest issues was simply getting in touch with their water supplier.
“It was very difficult to get hold of anybody when we had a query or issue”
On top of that, the school wasn’t fully confident that they were on the most cost-effective tariff, and there were some concerns around potential water leakages.
Why Did Sibford School Switch to a New Supplier?
The decision to explore a new water supplier came after the school’s experience with a previous utility broker left them feeling that the level of support and service was lacking. What stood out with Wodr was clear communication, responsiveness, and a genuine willingness to solve problems.
A Smooth Switching Process
Switching suppliers can be stressful, but for Sibford School, the process was remarkably smooth. Holly highlights that all pricing, contract details, and potential savings were communicated transparently, which took the guesswork out of the process.
Significant Cost Savings
Since switching, Sibford School has saved an estimated 35% on water costs. Billing has also improved: the Accounts Team now finds it much easier to query invoices and track usage. Better visibility has allowed the school to forecast water expenditure more accurately, helping with budget planning and day-to-day management.
Confidence in Compliance
While the school hasn’t used all the sustainability and monitoring services offered, Holly is finally confident that the water supply and billing are fully compliant with regulations—a key concern for any educational institution.
What Was The Impact Of Working With Wodr?
For day-to-day operations, the biggest benefit has been peace of mind. Holly shares that she would highly recommend Wodr to other businesses:
“You feel you are in safe hands, and they work to find the best deal for you and your business”.
Wodr takes away the stress of navigating your way through the complex world of utilities. So if you are in need of a new water strategy, get in touch with our experts today for free, no-obligation advice.
Wodr x Manufacturer in North-West England
Client Background
ABC Manufacturing is a manufacturer of automotive parts with facilities across the UK. Despite their success, they faced escalating operational costs, particularly in water usage.
Their outdated systems and lack of realtime monitoring led to inefficiencies and rising expenses, prompting them to seek innovative solutions to optimise water management.
Challenges
High Water Bills: Water bills had increased by 15% annually, primarily due to inefficient water use and undetected leaks.
Outdated Infrastructure: The facility’s water systems were outdated, leading to wastage and higher maintenance costs.
Sustainability Goals: The company aimed to improve its environmental footprint but lacked the expertise to implement effective water-saving measures.
Solutions Implemented
Water Audit: Our team conducted a thorough audit to identify inefficiencies, including outdated fixtures and undetected leaks.
Smart Metering: We installed smart water meters across the facility, providing real-time data on water usage. This enabled quick detection of irregularities and leaks.
Efficient Fixtures: The introduction of water-efficient fixtures and systems, such as low-flow toilets, all to significantly reduce water consumption.
Results
Reduced Water Usage: The facility achieved a 25% reduction in water usage, translating into substantial cost savings.
Annual Savings: By cutting down on waste and improving efficiency, ABC Manufacturing saved over £100,000 annually on water expenses.
Improved Sustainability: The company enhanced its sustainability credentials, aligning with environmental goals and attracting eco-conscious clients.
Operational Efficiency: The modernised systems reduced maintenance needs, lowering operational costs and improving overall efficiency.
