Couple leads UK consumer fight against Big Six energy firms

Posted 22nd January 2017

A UK couple is so fed up with the Big Six energy firms’ contempt for customers that they want consumers across Britain to ‘chip in’ and help start a new, transparent energy company through crowdfunding. The charge is being backed by a number of senior business people, including former chair of Gleneagles Hotel, Peter Lederer OBE.

British consumers who are tired of the big energy companies’ relentless price hikes, lack of transparency and poor customer service now have the chance to create an energy company with a difference.

David Pike and Karin Sode are leading their team to crowdfund over £450,000 and make Our Energy operational in 2017. The new energy company will not only give 75% of profits back to customers, but customers will also be represented on the board of directors.

Our Energy will share salaries, decisions, accounts and prices with customers, becoming the first completely transparent and customer-focused UK energy company in the UK.

David Pike said, “Like most UK energy consumers, Karin and I have had bad experiences when dealing with the big energy firms.

“People in the UK have quite rightly lost trust in their energy suppliers. Why should we all pay higher prices just to line a shareholder’s pocket?

“We want to bring democracy and transparency to the UK’s energy market. Our customers will enjoy the profits and after three years will own the company. They will never have to switch supplier again, as they’ll own the company and have complete trust in its practices.”

Karin Sode said: “Energy comes from natural resources that should belong to us all, not private entities. We are absolutely passionate about returning ownership of this natural resource to consumers.

“We are crowdfunding for Our Energy because we don’t want private shareholders we need to answer to: our customers will be our shareholders.”

The dynamic duo, supported by a wider team of finance and business specialists, raised over £18,000 on crowdfunder in autumn 2016; the British public’s enthusiasm meant they smashed their £10,000 target by the deadline. The current drive to crowdfund over £450,000 will secure Our Energy’s future and ensure it becomes operational and open to customers in 2017.

David Pike added, “The big energy companies won’t change their tactics anytime soon.

“Let’s make 2017 the year when their reign over the UK energy market, and exploitation of its consumers, came to an end.”

Consumers can secure their place as future owners of their own energy company by donating on http://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/ourenergy. Shares cannot be bought and sold: they will remain in the hands of customers.

Customers will be represented on the board, have voting rights on business decisions and be informed of all costs involved in running the energy business.