| Type | Public (LSE: HSV) |
|---|---|
| Industry | Support Services Home emergencies and repairs |
| Founded | 1993 |
| Headquarters | Walsall, West Midlands, UK |
| Key people | J M Barry Gibson Chairman Richard Harpin CEO |
| Revenue | £467.1 million (2011)[1] |
| Operating income | £107.0 million (2011)[1] |
| Net income | £76.9 million (2011)[1] |
| Website | www.homeserveplc.com |
HomeServe PLC (LSE: HSV) is a home emergency repairs business.
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The Company was originally established by Richard Harpin in 1993 as a joint venture between South Staffordshire Water and himself under the name of Fastfix.[2] In 1994 the Company launched a plumbing and drainage service for customers under the Home Service Scheme brand.[2]
In 2001 the company launched Doméo, a joint venture in France,[2] and in 2003 it launched Home Service in the USA.[2]
In 2003 Home Service USA, HomeServe's US business was launched.[2]
In 2004 the water business was demerged from the rest of the Group and the name of the Company was changed to HomeServe PLC.[3]
In 2007 HomeServe acquired property repair company Reparalia in Spain.[2]
In 2009 it acquired the French warranty provider SFG.[4]
In 2010 Homeserve acquired National Grid's service contract business in the United States.[5] In 2010, it was also announced that HomeServe will be the official sponsor of Premier League football club West Bromwich Albion for the 2010/11 season.[2]
In 2011 Homeserve suspended all sales activity amid claims of mis-selling by its call centre staff. Earlier in the year Homeserve was investigated by Ofcom after it was suggested call centre staff were ringing homes and then abandoning the calls before speaking, leaving customers with silence.[6]
HomeServe provides boiler & heating repairs, plumbing repairs and appliance repairs. It also offers home emergency insurance extending to plumbing & drainage cover, boiler & heating insurance and landlords' insurance policies.[7]