Perch Group launches new Verify business

Blackpool-based Perch Group has launched a new business which provides its clients the data and tools to better communicate with its customers.

Verify, which is headed up by two industry-experienced appointments, is aimed at utilities, financial services and other specialist sectors.

It offers a range of data, analytics and cloud-based services across the debt lifecycle from pre-arrears to post-litigation/pre-enforcement, and allows clients interact with customers, including billing, collection, temporary disconnections and reconnections.

Gary Jones, who brings over 35 years’ experience in collections and field services has been appointed to lead the business as managing director.

He will be supported by Karl Humphries as director of field operations who has more than 20 years’ experience within the debt recovery industry specialising in utilities.

Verify sits within the Perch Group alongside Perch Capital, which purchases debt, ACI-UK, and FCA-regulated debt resolution agency, and TM Legal Services.

Andrew Bartle, chief commercial officer at Perch Group, says: “We had a vision to revolutionise the way utilities and financial services providers reconnect with their customers using a data-driven approach to everything from Customer Verification Visits to meter inspections and, where appropriate, temporary disconnections, while still putting the customer first.

"Bringing Gary and Karl on board and combining their experience with the wider Group’s data capabilities, compliance standards and entrepreneurial culture has allowed us to find smarter ways of working which save our clients time and money and reduce the hassle for customers. We are excited to finally launch Verify publicly and start building what I know will be a hugely successful and highly regarded business.” 

Craig Hinchliffe, Perch Group CEO, added: “Verify may be new to the market but it is underpinned by a great team with great tech and a great infrastructure, which means that it can hit the ground running as a trusted supplier which clients can rely on to uphold the highest industry standards.

"And unlike many of its competitors, it’s starting with a modern platform that’s highly configurable to suit the ever-changing needs of clients and customers. I’m confident it’ll very quickly become a market leader in customer verification and reconnection as a key part of Perch Group’s end-to-end proposition."