Specialist utilities software provider Gentrack is investing £5 million to develop its billing and customer relations systems.

The £5 million three-year investment will be used to grow Gentrack’s research and development department as the software provider aims to enhance its products in response to changing demand from the energy and water industry.

 The New Zealand-headquartered  company currently provides billing, CRM software across the utilities sector in the UK, and has a portfolio of clients that includes Sembcorp Bournemouth Water, OVO Energy, Veolia subsidiary Dalkia and Birmingham Airport. Gentrack has two flagship software products for utilities in the UK - Gentrack Velocity, and mDATA21.

Managing Director at Gentrack, James Docking, said:

“Gentrack’s commitment to ongoing research and development to meet the rising expectations of our customers and their end-users is essential.

“The company operates globally and has played an innovative role in developing competitive utility markets, most notably in Australia and New Zealand.

“Deregulation of water utilities and a significant shift in the dynamic of the energy market in the UK means that significant investment is required to ensure that utilities can reduce cost to service, meet changing market regulatory requirements and evolve with customer service expectations.

“Budget blowouts and delivery overruns can’t be afforded in the UK where change is happening at such a fast pace. Therefore the installation of proven systems on time and on budget will be vital to success in the industry.”

The investment is being supported by a £1 million award from the Callaghan Innovation Growth Grant, which is backed by the New Zealand Government.

 Set up in 1989 in Auckland New Zealand, Gentrack currently employs over 200 staff across four international offices in London, Auckland, Melbourne and Brisbane.