Cost Recovery for Royal London

Client Overview

Royal London is the largest mutual insurer in the United Kingdom, with Group funds under management of over £150 billion. The company approached Inteb to complete a change of tenancy (COT Out) application as a tenant became responsible for the supply site.

Client Objectives

Royal London needed to:

1. Ensure accurate completion of the COT Out application process.
2. Validate and address any discrepancies in the final billing.
3. Ensure smooth transition and accurate billing without disrupting operations.

Challenges

Royal London faced several challenges during the COT Out process:

• Billing Discrepancies: The supplier issued a final bill worth £418k based on the provided closing meter readings, which failed Inteb’s robust invoice validation process due to a spike in consumption and cost.
• Inaccurate Meter Readings: The previous supplier provided incorrect start readings, complicating the process of reconciling discrepancies.
• Timely Resolution: Ensuring a swift resolution without disrupting Royal London’s operations was crucial.

Our Approach

Inteb adopted a systematic approach to address the billing inaccuracies and ensure a smooth transition.

1. Data Scrutiny:
   • Conducted a comprehensive audit of Royal London’s electricity consumption records.
   • Meticulously compared consumption records with billing and meter reads to identify discrepancies.
2. Communication with the Supplier:
   • Engaged in extensive dialogue with the supplier to present findings and formally challenge the £418k invoice.
   • Addressed further complications due to incorrect start reads provided by the previous supplier.
3. Client Communication:
   • Worked closely with Royal London to gather additional evidence and analysis, proving the billing was incorrect and identifying the causes of the problem.
4. Implementation of Corrective Measures:
   • Leveraged our understanding of utility billing regulations and contract terms to negotiate with the supplier for fair and accurate billing.
   • Oversaw the implementation of corrective measures, including the adjustment of billing records, adoption of accurate meter reading practices, and installation of Automated Meter Reading (AMR) technology.

Results

Inteb’s diligent efforts and effective communication led to significant outcomes for Royal London:

1. Accurate Billing:
   • Successfully resolved the billing discrepancies, leading to the accurate and transparent billing practices.
   • The supplier produced final bills reflecting a total saving of £416,226.68 for Royal London.
2. Cost Savings:
   • After extensive crediting and rebilling, the supplier issued invoices that passed Inteb’s validation process before being approved for payment by Royal London.
3. Operational Continuity:
   • Ensured that the resolution process did not disrupt Royal London’s operations, allowing them to maintain focus on their core business activities.

Conclusion

This case exemplifies Inteb’s commitment to providing strategic solutions to our clients’ challenges. By leveraging our expertise in data analysis, negotiation, and communication, we facilitated a swift and satisfactory resolution to Royal London’s billing issues. Our collaborative approach ensured that Royal London could continue their operations with confidence, knowing that their utility billing concerns were effectively addressed.