Help-Link

Help-Link started out in 1998, as a team of 4 based in East Leeds, and has grown substantially over the last 15 years to become a 1000-strong nationwide team.[1] Originally based in Leeds, before moving to larger premises in Castleford in 2003/4, and after outgrowing the 180-staff office, the company's head office is now based at Thorpe Park business park, Leeds as of May 2012.

Harrogate Borough Council have worked with Help-Link since 2002, with the firm supplying boiler installation and maintenance services, and after the collapse of Connaught in September 2010, the company was asked to provide emergency repair and maintenance work. The contract includes annual gas servicing and the provision of landlord safety certificates for 3,885 properties in the Harrogate district.[2] As part of Harrogate Homeless Project (HHP) funded by the Government’s Places of Change Programme and Harrogate Borough Council, Help-Link renovated the Harrogate Homeless Project's accommodation building, enabling it to provide 16 single bedrooms, 11 toilets and eight shower rooms for its clients.[3]

In 2010, Help-Link were awarded ​3 ¹⁄₂-year contracts for gas boiler service and general maintenance for Selby District Council, and Richmondshire District Council.[4]

Help-Link have been selected as a certified agent to work on the behalf of the Affordable Warmth scheme, contracted as installation engineers to install and repair boilers to reduce the number of households with inefficient, sub-standard boilers. The Government backed Scheme was launched in January 2013 and is designed to give financial assistance to homeowners that are struggling with fuel bills and have a low graded boiler. The Scheme aims to provide homeowners with more environmentally friendly boilers, and in turn-reduce fuel poverty. Eligibility for the scheme is based on a range of means tested government benefits that the customers is in receipt of.

During April 2013, North Edge Capital announced their investment within Help-Link, adding more Directors and positions within the Board of Directors. This presented Help-Link with further plans for future expansion. The deal allows Help-Link access to NorthEdge’s support structures, including their supply chain network, strategic partnerships and extensive management experience. Keith Pacey is now proudly Chairman of Help-Link and James Hall, who fronted the deal and Andy Ball that have been added to the Board of Directors.

Help-Link signed up veteran children's presenter Johnny Ball to star in their new television adverts, as well as signing a one-year deal with Rugby Football Super League team Castleford Tigers to become their main front shirt sponsor for the 2013 season.[5] Help-Link was brought before the Advertising Standards Authority in 2006 after two listeners complained that the company's radio advert about the winter freeze was alarmist. The complaint was not upheld with the ASA stating it 'did not consider that it had over-emphasized the situation or went further than the media coverage' and was not in breach of ASA rules.[6]

During the beginning of June 2013, Help-Link and Leeds United announced that Help-Link was to be the official secondary shirt sponsor of the football club, for the next season ahead. The official shirts present the logo of Help-Link on all the home, away and third kit adult replica shirts.

In October 2013, Help-Link announced they are the new secondary shirt sponsor of the rugby league club Leeds Rhinos;[7] the most successful club in the Super League History. The sponsorship shall see the Help-Link name emblazoned on the reverse of the playing shirts, as well as on 25,000 replica shirts, pitch side boards at the ground and seen as a regular presence in the match day programme.[8] The deal will mark the first time that any company has been the secondary shirt sponsor of both the Leeds Rhinos and Leeds United simultaneously.

In March 2014, Help-Link sponsored Johnny Ball's attempt at the Guinness World Record for the largest maths lesson.[9]

The 24 April saw Help-Link announce their latest venture in the acquisition of the loft and cavity insulation specialist Miller Pattison, formerly known as SIG Energy Management, from SIG PLC.[10]

As part of the acquisition, which takes place a year since Help-Link received investment from private equity firm NorthEdge Capital, Help-Link will take on Miller Pattison’s network of 11 branches across the UK, their fleet of vehicles and 300 strong workforce.[11]

Speaking of the purchase Help-Link’s founder and Chief Operating Officer Mel Butler said; "Since establishing Help-Link 15 years ago the company has gone from strength to strength. We have grown at a rapid rate and we want to continue on this growth path. I have always had an aim that I would like to provide energy saving measures for the entire home, the acquisition of Miller Pattison is the first of a number of purchases in the pipeline to enable us to do this.[12]

"The strategic decision to acquire Miller Pattison, in particular, was born from the synergy of the company’s values with those of Help-Link’s – focusing on quality, longevity and customer care. Help-Link has funded the acquisition as it forms a key part of our plans for the future.

Butler continues; "Help-Link’s strong brand, sales workforce, IT system and operational procedures will act as a platform for the growth of Miller Pattison’s current offerings."

In 2017, Help-Link was acquired by emergency-repairs company Homeserve.[13]