This month, we hear from Adrian Ruddy of Clever Energy Midlands, who shares how joining Sterling 18 months ago has helped him grow his business, build lasting relationships, and connect with a network that truly supports one another.
It has been about 18 months since I first joined Sterling and I can honestly say it has been one of the best decisions I have made since starting Clever Energy Midlands.
Back then I was finding my feet, building the business from the ground up, and trying to meet the right people who could help me grow. What I found in Sterling was a brilliant community of people who are open, genuine, and always happy to support one another. Since joining we have not only seen a big increase in leads coming in, but more importantly we have built an amazing network of contacts that continues to grow every week.
Having the right people around you makes a huge difference. That is what makes Sterling stand out. It is not just a business network. It is a place where real connections are made and where people help each other move forward.
Education comes first in everything we do. No hard sales. No pushy tactics. When someone asks for help with solar, heat pumps, insulation, energy costs, lighting, EV charging, or any other energy solution, we take the time to listen to what it is that you want and give you honest advice on what may or may not work. If we do not know the answer, we will not pretend that we do. But 99 times out of 100, we will know someone who can help. That puts us in a very strong position to support more and more people, and we feel like we are only just getting started.
A big highlight for me recently is that I have secured an arrangement with one of the most respected ECO4 installers in the UK. And I will say this proudly. There is no one better. These guys do things properly. They do not cut corners. They will not ruin your property. They take real pride in their work and always deliver a first class service. I am more than happy to put my name to them.
What this means is that I can now offer much more support to landlords and supported living providers. If a property needs upgrading and has eligible tenants we can get it assessed and improved properly using the right team for the job.
I joke that I am just one bloke trying to help people make better energy choices, but the truth is I have been lucky to meet and work with some fantastic companies. Every installer and partner we recommend has been chosen on purpose for quality, service, and how they treat customers. Many of those introductions came through networking, and Sterling has been ahead of the pack compared to most other groups I attend.
We are also part of the Education Group alongside the main Sterling network, and that group, run by Julia and Nick, is going from strength to strength. Everyone in that group is fantastic. It is next level networking. There is no pressure. It is not like a cult. You are not forced to give leads every week, and that is brilliant. Because you are not always going to have leads. But when you do, you want to give them to people you trust.
A special thank you to Neil, Tracey, Julia, Nick, Ronaldo and everyone in the Sterling office team. The effort you put in shows. Please keep up the good work. It makes a real difference to small businesses like mine.
If anyone feels I might be able to help them, I would love to have a chat. And the same goes the other way, if you have something that works in synergy with what I do, especially in the energy space, please reach out. I have always got time for a one‑to‑one with someone from Sterling. And I am going to be around for a while yet, so come and see me.
Find out more at www.cleverenergymidlands.co.uk.
