BUSINESS WEST – CONNECTING BUSINESSES CASE STUDY


Bristol’s mayor Marvin Rees (second from left) and Peter Haigh with Bristol Energy team members


INSIDER


inspire


Energy firm gives power to the people


suit, including London. For Bristol City Council, it’s an innovative way


B


to raise income, at a time when many councils are facing difficult times. It’s also a way to help encourage Bristol residents to engage with their energy use, and switch to a company that can offer fairly priced energy. Bristol Energy entered a controlled market


entry phase (a ‘probation’ period for new suppliers that is run by the regulator) at the end of 2015 and officially opened for business in February 2016, and it started supplying Business customers in July 2016. Bristol Energy offers fair prices and simple


tariffs, and unlike other energy companies, profits are invested back into the company’s home city. So customers can pay their energy bills, and make a positive difference at the same time. For business customers, Bristol Energy provides free energy health checks to help companies use less and spend less. Peter Haigh, managing director of Bristol


Energy, said: “Setting up a new energy company that is doing things differently is hugely exciting. “However, it also comes with challenges. As


with any new business, getting our name and brand known in the city is a priority. Especially when we face the same challenge as other energy companies – people don’t switch! “According to the latest Ofgem figures, two


thirds of people across the UK remain on expensive standard variable tariffs, paying around £300 a year more than they need to. But I’m pleased to say that since our launch we’ve had some great successes. “We’ve introduced a range of new products, including a domestic tariff exclusively for Bristol, a Green tariff, and a tariff for business


ristol was the second city to launch a municipal energy company. And many more cities are now looking to follow


FACTFILE COMPANY: Bristol Energy


LOCATION: 1 Temple Quay, Temple Back East, Bristol, BS1 6DZ


WHAT WE DO: Bristol Energy offers fairly- priced energy to domestic and business customers, and reinvests profits back into local communities.


HISTORY: Bristol Energy was created by Bristol City Council to introduce a more socially responsible way of selling electricity and gas.


customers. And tens of thousands of customers from across the country have joined us. “As a smaller, independent energy company,


it’s our job to tell people and businesses how easy it is to switch energy provider and save money. Chamber membership has been a great way to do this, helping us to build a business community that can be a force for social good in the city.”


To find out more about Bristol Energy’s innovative approach to energy visit www.bristol-energy.co.uk


NAME: Susie Parker POSITION:Digital Marketing Manager E: susie.parker@businesswest.co.uk T: 01275 370960


What does your role at Business West involve? As chief digital and content nerd at Business West, I'm passionate about driving change and turning ideas into strategies that provide a valuable experience for customers, whilst achieving company goals. The day-to-day for the past year has had me focused on achieving the delivery of a brand new website for Business West, shaped through capturing valuable input from internal overlords to local business warriors; talking strategy with agency digital wizards and in utilising the mammoth skills of a driven marketing and intelligence team!


What were you doing before you worked at Business West? I was kept busy for a few years running my own marketing consultancy, managing creative projects for a wide-ranging client- base; from a custom motorbike part manufacturer in Kent, whose own clients included some disreputable “angels”, to the challenges of developing a ‘sexier’ brand identity for a housing association in Devon.


What is your top tip for anyone starting out in business? Drive, passion and resilience in driving your idea forward. But, it’s not your idea that’s the lynchpin to achieving success. Always keep the end user, your customer, in sharp focus through continuing research and engagement.


What are your interests outside work? Meddling with writing, photography, drawing and painting – and selling the odd piece!


What did you want to be when you were growing up? An artist or a novelist!


What is the most unusual business you’ve encountered? I did some freelancing for a yachting magazine for a while, where a nudist MD liked to waft about in a silk dressing gown. I blame the 70s.


JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2017 insight 13


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