A BUSINESSMAN has used the proceeds of the sale of his energy company to fund a similar not-for-profit ethical firm.

Corin Dalby has launched community interest company Box Power from an office in Knowsley Street in the town centre.

The new firm specialises in advising businesses on their most cost effective supplier of utilities.

Mr Dalby, aged 45, who lives in Bury, completed a lucrative deal to sell his previous business, Direct Energy Purchasing PLC in 2012. That business later became Inspired Energy PLC.

He has since been caring for his 10-year-old son, Ben, who suffers from Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

Now, he has decided to make a difference by going back into the energy industry and creating a not-for-profit organisation.

Mr Dalby, a former pupil of Derby High School, says his new firm has the potential to save its customers money and generate substantial funds for its chosen charities.

These include charities providing support for children with ASD and their families in the North West.

A major benefactor of Box Power is set to be Macmillan Cancer Support, a charity which ensures people do not have to face cancer alone. Box Power has pledged a third of its net proceeds to Macmillan.

Mr Dalby, whose wife Tricia is also part of the new firm, is also setting up The Box Foundation Charity, created to help children with ASD.

“Autism is a lifelong develop-mental disability that affects how a person communicates with, and relates to, other people,” said Mr Dalby. “Without the right support, it can have a devastating effect on individuals and families.

“After selling the company two years ago, I was enjoying retirement,” said Mr Dalby. “But I wanted to find a way of raising lots of money for people like Ben.

“The obvious way to do it was to build a business using the expertise I have in the industry.”

Box Power has already received a ringing endorsement from Major Energy Users’ Council chairman Andrew Bainbridge.

In a letter to Mr Dalby, he says: “Congratulations to the Box Power team on coming up with a novel scheme which not only provides help in reducing electricity and gas costs, but also raises money for charity. We are sure that this first not-for-profit energy consultancy for business users will make a big impact.”