By expanding to so many other countries and really capitalising on the technology we create, we are able to have an edge on the competition. Specialties: Technology. He says it took years to find the 10m he needed to launch Octopus. Spaces are limited for this very special event so make sure you dont miss out by signing up here. [36], In September 2021, Generation Investment Management, co-founded and chaired by Al Gore, purchased a 13% stake in Octopus Energy Group in a deal worth $600m. Greg: Octopus is unusual. A newsletter showcasing the finest writing from the ideas section and the NS archive, covering political ideas, philosophy, criticism and intellectual history - sent every Wednesday. [24], In July 2021 Octopus rose 12 places on the UK Customer Service Index to 17th, making it the only energy company in the Top 50. Mark Wahlberg's wife Rhea Durham shares sweet tribute to their daughter Grace on 13th birthday with snaps from . We are doing the same thing in clean, green energy. Greg is the founder and CEO of Octopus Energy Group, the green energy tech pioneer based in the UK with over 3.1 million customers, further operations in 13 countries and over 23 million accounts licensed worldwide to its green technology platform, Kraken. Octopus's approach is certainly not for everyone. Could Octopus become another Bulb? As someone whose LinkedIn profile professes a love of disrupting industries that underserve customers and society, its no surprise Greg is passionate about enhancing the customer experience. [4] Greg Jackson is the founder of the company and holds the position of chief executive. Weve raised 16 times more investment than Bulb did. In 1992, after graduating from Rio Grande High School, Jackson founded his own martial art, Gaidojutsu, which combines rudimentary techniques from catch wrestling and Muay Thai with basic judo locks. After graduating I joined Procter & Gamble and went through management training, owned and turned around a number of small ventures, and I even managed a factory that made and sold Mirrors at one point. By 2030, Octopus aims to supply around 2.5 million households with green electricity through Fan Club schemes. We have an aim to reach over 100 million customers by 2027, whether thats via other companies licensing Kraken or customers joining Octopus Energy, so we never say never for any country or continent, even if we dont have any plans to at the moment. Our Founder, Hubert Nomamiukor organised a Q&A session with Greg Jackson, the CEO of Octopus Energy, to capture his entrepreneurial journey, influences and perspectives. The engineering part only takes a year.. [42], As part of their partnership agreed in August 2019, Midcounties Co-operative and Octopus established a joint venture to develop the UK's community energy market and encourage small-scale electricity generation. The New Statesmans global affairs newsletter, every Monday and Friday. He believes his thrifty upbringing allows him to empathise with struggling customers. Octopuss youthful workforce is poring over energy consumption charts and enthusing about that bespoke tech, called Kraken, which will now be licensed to other utility companies. We speak to Greg Jackson, CEO of Octopus Energy Group, the technology-to-investment energy platform, about the importance of government intervention in energy policy, the role of technology, and how a greener future could be nearer than we think. [28], In October 2022, Octopus reached an agreement to acquire Bulb Energy's 1.5 million customers. A serial and successful entrepreneur before Octopus Energy, Gregs experience spans mirror manufacturing, coffee shops and multiple software ventures. Among the companies using Kraken is E.On, the second-largest electricity supplier in the UK. Family In a relationship; has two children from previous partners. .more. It takes seven years to get a windfarm through the planning process and connected to the grid. It is truly bonkers, he says, that the UK persists with a system in which central planners decide what cables are going to go where you can centrally plan a system thats got 100 power stations. [26], In September 2021, Octopus was appointed as the Supplier of Last Resort (SOLR) for Avro Energy, acquiring Avro Energy's domestic customers and increasing their customer base to 3.1m customers. [47][48], In October 2020, Octopus partnered with Tesla Energy to power the Tesla Energy Plan, which is designed to power a home with 100% clean energy either from solar panels or Octopus. Launched in 2016, the company's mission is to bring cheaper, greener power to all. He spends around an hour each day dealing directly with customers to understand that experience better, along with discussing trade-offs such as pricing strategy and infrastructure. Upstream reported that Jackson joined Greenpeace at the age of 16, and his expertise was in mirror manufacturing, coffee shops and software before launching Octopus Energy in 2015. A day later, Generation Investment Management, a fund chaired by Al Gore, committed to a $600m investment in Octopus. Rachel joined Octopus Energy in 2021, bringing with her a wealth of knowledge following more than two decades of experience in energy regulation. [67] As a result of the campaign, Octopus registered a 163% increase in sign-ups and gained 37,000 customers. All drivers can use the service, and Octopus Energy customers have the option of paying their charging costs through their domestic energy bills. Octopus took on 600,000 customers from bust Avro Energy last year, and Jackson accuses the administrators of arguing and quibbling over completely unimportant technical points. Jacksons career has been far from typical for the energy business. Sunday: 8am - 11pm, Interview with Entrepreneur - Greg Jackson - CEO of Octopus Energy. Or whether we organise a boycott of you". Greg is an experienced digital entrepreneur, passionate about making the green energy revolution affordable through technology. Hey I'm Constantine, welcome to Octopus Energy! Day-to-day, she works closely with regulators, industry bodies and policy makers to shape the energy system of the future. It has enabled us to lower our costs to serve up to 75% compared to some of our competitors Thanks to Kraken, we are able to scale our customer service team quickly to take on new customers and keep them happy. You cant become a car dealer if you havent got the money to buy cars, says Jackson, exasperated. [20], In November 2020 Octopus acquired Manchester-based smart grid energy software company Upside Energy, which in June 2021 rebranded as KrakenFlex. About You can meet Greg Jackson and hear more about where he got where he is today at My Entrepreneurial Journey with Greg Jackson on Thursday, 21 November. Are people working at your company happy? In 72 hours, the six-year-old company had swelled to accommodate more customers than Scottish Power (to 3.1 million in total) and a higher valuation (approaching $5bn) than Centrica, the owner of British Gas. This long-term mission is not only to supply renewable energy all of Octopuss tariffs are advertised as 100 per cent green, and power either comes directly from renewable sources or is certified as renewable using the Rego certificates that Ofgem uses to match power sourced from the open market to renewable supply but to disrupt the UKs dysfunctional energy market. [62][63] The Kraken software was also licensed to Australia's Origin Energy as part of their May 2020 agreement. John is a highly experienced energy entrepreneur. reg Jackson starts each day by flicking on the radio and scrunching into his bath. [56][57], The Electric Universe service, which aims to simplify public charging of electric vehicles, was launched in 2020 as Electric Juice and rebranded in 2022. He began his career at consumer goods giant Procter & Gamble before running businesses including a coffee shop and a mirror manufacturer. James has been instrumental in the creation of Octopus Energys proprietary technology, digital-first offerings and its global expansion. My mum is very, very politically opinionated and I have that., Jackson wont be drawn on how long the energy crisis will last: Its a fool that predicts commodity markets. Aside from that, every experience has helped in some way or another, and been a vital lesson to learn to get me where I am today. As for the future, Octopus is looking to go global, kicking off by launching in Australia this October in partnership with Hanwha Group, a leading solar panel manufacturer, expanding the move to greener energy. [16][17], In January 2020, ENGIE UK announced that it was selling its residential energy supply business (comprising around 70,000 UK residential customers) to Octopus. [32] In September of that year, Octopus acquired Evolve Energy, a US Silicon Valley-based start-up, in a $5m deal. This interview was originally published on our sister platform, ChangeinAfrica Magazine, the content is wholly owned by Innoglo Ltd. Mon - Fri: Respond with 24 hrs We need to learn from the pandemic, Jackson says. These include: In March 2019, Octopus announced it had partnered with Amazon's Alexa virtual assistant, to optimise home energy use through the Agile Octopus time-of-use tariff. Love building organisations around people, disrupting industries which underserve customers and society. [54] In June of that year, the group's fund management team bought the rights to develop the 35MW Gaishecke wind farm near Frankfurt, Germany. He now runs Octopus, the green energy supplier founded in 2015 and valued at 4bn, with more than 3 million customers in 14 countries and backers including former US vice-president Al Gore. We want a similar effort to the vaccine rollout, says Jackson, sweeping bags of Frazzles aside. The collection of projects reflects Jacksons entrepreneurial background. In your view what does it mean to be an entrepreneur and are all entrepreneurs businessmen or women? KrakenFlex is currently contracted to manage over 1,600 MW of power with further 2 GWs of renewable generation to come online through 2022. His morning routine echoes the tycoons underprivileged childhood. In 72 hours, the six-year-old company had swelled to accommodate more customers than Scottish Power (to 3.1 million in total) and a higher valuation (approaching $5bn) than Centrica, the owner of British Gas. Theyve secured excellent leasing rates on leading EVs, designed a great EV salary sacrifice scheme to help businesses increase the uptake of EVs, created energy tariffs designed specifically for EV drivers, and have partnered with smart charging tech companies to enable customers to access cheap and green energy rates with ease. How we work Registered number: 09263424. Since our interview, Octopus has rejoined the race, submitting a last-minute bid. T&Cs The boss of Octopus Energy has a small tub, which pleases him as it is efficient and fills quickly. I want them to feel happy and fulfilled by the work they do. Greg Jackson on Twitter: "Octopus Energy recent commitments: 10,000,000 to build a decarb of heat R&D centre 5,000,000 to establish the Centre for Net Zero 108,000 to its BLM fund 1,000 ad on a right wing channel So, 15,108x more on progressive stuff More soon, but hope perspective helps." / Twitter. One business C360 that was subsequently acquired, was founded to pioneer a new way of using technology to drive marketing or as Greg puts it SaaS before it was trendy. Greg is also an investor in several tech start-ups and as an advisor, supports companies and entrepreneurs with fundraising, mergers, acquisitions and strategy. Quick and essential guide to domestic and global politics from the New Statesman's politics team. What impact has the pandemic had on Octopus Energy and how have they navigated this? There was a problem! [68][69], In November 2021 Octopus financed 'Grace of the Sun', a large-scale art piece by Robert Montgomery made using the Little Sun solar lamps designed by Olafur Eliasson and Frederik Ottesen. In 2006, he sold a customer relationship tech business for 4.5m. To mark International Men's Day today we are giving a shoutout to the leading men in energy supporting the work of POWERful Women and driving better balance . Prior to joining Octopus Energy, Lara worked at US-based Opower, a customer engagement start-up and pioneer of Behavioural Energy Efficiency. Events Our researched showed that Octopus Energy has grown its domestic customer based in UK, from just 198,000 customers in 2018 to over 1.5 million customers in 2020. A relaxed evening talking with Greg Jackson, the founder and Phil Steele Future Technology Evangelist of Octopus Energy.You can email the Octopus team as ref. His school officially turned into an MMA school in 2000. [12], Besides the Octopus Energy brand, as of September2021[update] customers are supplied under the Ebico Energy, Affect Energy, Co-op Energy, M&S Energy and London Power brands. [3][4][5][6] Jackson has trained many successful fighters, including former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones, former UFC Welterweight Champion Georges St-Pierre, former UFC Women's Bantamweight Champion Holly Holm, former Light Heavyweight Champion Rashad Evans, and a roster of other UFC contenders and World Extreme Cagefighting champions. What defines a successful entrepreneur? [66] The campaign artwork was exhibited at over 5,000 sites, making it the largest ever digital out-of-home (DOOH) art exhibition. John moved from managing Affect Energy to running Octopus' engineering fleet and developing the UK's first Heat Pump Research & Development Centre, along with the proposition to train over 1,000 heat pump engineers a year and produce 1,000 heat pumps a month through the new Octopus Energy factory in Northern Ireland. Theyre not doing it because they care about the planet, and theyre not doing it because they care about bills.. Stuart has a degree in Economics from Cambridge University. [65], In 2019 Octopus launched a 'Portraits from the Precipice' campaign, which sought to raise awareness of climate change and encouraged customers to switch to greener energy deals. At Octopus he has responsibility for finance, procurement & market risk management, customer acquisition and data science. In order to provide you with the latest digital energy web services you need to use the latest and greatest web browsers. Our customer service metrics actually improved during the pandemic, and we were the only large domestic energy supplier in the UK still answering calls as usual. Octopus Energy Group is a British renewable energy group specialising in sustainable energy. Clem led Octopus Energys campaign for an energy price cap and has worked closely with government to help drive policy for the decarbonisation of heat and support the transition to a more renewable grid. Jackson and his family moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico when he was three years old. [50][51] In November 2021, Octopus Energy announced plans to raise 4 billion to fund the global expansion of its Fan Club model, which would be expanded to include solar farms. She has done this all while maintaining some of the very best customer service ratings in the industry. [35] As a result of these acquisitions, Octopus now has retail, generation or technology licences in 13 countries across four continents. [5], In December 2021, Octopus Energy announced a long-term partnership with Canada Pension Plan Investment Board, raising US$300m and taking the valuation of Octopus Energy Group to approximately $5bn. These days, Greg Jackson is the founder behind the only energy company recommended by Which?. The company also supplies software services to other energy suppliers. [3] Trading began in December 2015. We have a technology licensing business with big customers like E.ON and EDF, and weve invested in generation and a heat pump centre. Octopus Energy has a multi faceted business model, generating value from different revenue streams. The investment increased the company's valuation to $4.6bn, with the cash injection to be used by Octopus to increase its investment in new technologies for cheaper and faster decarbonisation. Last month Octopus pledged 50m to cut customer bills until Octobers price cap rise, part of a longer-term package worth 150m. These days, Greg Jackson is the founder behind the only energy company recommended by Which?. The UKs biggest energy companies might shrug off such strident criticism from a campaigner, but Octopus has rapidly ascended to challenge what Jackson, 50, calls the lazy oligopoly of the big six. [44] In July 2021, Octopus acquired sister company Octopus Renewables which claims to be the UK's largest investor in solar farms, and also invests in wind power and anaerobic digesters. Pay Minimum wage; Jackson gave up his 150,000 salary when the energy crisis began last autumn, donating the rest of his original salary to Octopuss staff welfare and its financial hardship fund, Octo Assist. Britains failure to invest in renewables led us into the gas crisis, says Jackson, and a revolution in energy supply and policy is urgently needed. Diversity is extremely important during our hiring process, and we anonymise CVs so that we can hire for the people behind the name and profile. Mohamed Abubakar, his wife Rasha Al-Buriahi and their four children all sleep and eat in the same room. [22], In February 2021, CEO Greg Jackson said on a BBC News interview that Octopus does not operate a human resources department. You also cannot deny the sheer will and determination of Jeff Bezos, and how he has managed to create not only the worlds largest online shopping and delivery site, but also revolutionise cloud computing via AWS, something we have made huge use of with our business. Europe is going to go into this winter with more gas storage than last year, but if Russia stops sending gas to Europe, prices will skyrocket.. Besides industry-standard fixed and variable tariffs, the company is known for innovative tariffs which are made possible by the national rollout of smart meters. The division is also behind Octopus Energys Fan Club, a local energy tariff that provides cheaper energy when the wind blows. [12][13], In both 2018 and 2019, Octopus was the only energy supplier to earn "Recommended Provider" status from the Which? If you could do it all over again what would you do differently in your entrepreneurial journey? The boss of Octopus Energy has a small tub, which pleases him as it is efficient and fills quickly. Octopus Energy recent commitments: 10,000,000 to build a decarb of heat R&D centre 5,000,000 to establish the Centre for Net Zero 108,000 to its BLM fund 1,000 ad on a right wing . The boss has now stated that it has "never . Support 100 years of independent journalism. has recommended 5 years in a row. Greg Jackson is the founder and CEO of Octopus Energy Group, which currently has over 3.1 million UK customers. He writes on a range of topics including inflation, Brexit, the Bank of England, the world of work and the cost of living crisis. The contemporary Jackson-Wink MMA Academy won the same award in 2015.[9]. 464 views May 4, 2022 Greg Jackson is the founder and chief executive of Octopus Energy, one of the UK's fastest-growing energy companies. I dont just want them to come in and do things for the company. [58], Octopus Energy licenses their proprietary customer management system called Kraken, which runs on Amazon's cloud computing service. On 26 September, it was announced that Octopus would be taking on the 580,000 former customers of Avro Energy, which had ceased trading the previous week. Rebecca holds a Bachelor's degree from Nottingham University Business School. Octopus Energy Ltd is a company registered in England and Wales. Following an IPO and acquisition by Oracle Utilities she moved to London with her family in 2018 before coming to Octopus Energy Group to lead global sales for Kraken Technologies. Jackson, 50, grew up near Middlesbrough. As of September 2022, more than 450 charging companies were taking part, allowing customers access to over 300,000 chargers in over 50 countries through a single card and/or app. [14] In January 2020, Octopus was ranked first in a Which? Committed to a $ 600m investment in Octopus green electricity through Fan Club schemes vaccine! He needed to launch Octopus New Mexico when he was three years old Wahlberg #... Specialising in sustainable Energy pioneer of Behavioural Energy Efficiency do differently in your entrepreneurial journey provides cheaper Energy the! Been far from typical for the Energy system of the future the.. To come online through 2022 chaired by Al Gore, committed to a $ 600m investment in.. Maintaining some of the future by flicking on the radio and scrunching his. Heat pump centre years to get a windfarm through the planning process and connected to the grid proprietary management! Gamble before running businesses including a coffee shop and a heat pump centre the race, a. Worked at US-based Opower, a local Energy tariff that provides cheaper Energy when the wind blows web you. Energy, Gregs experience spans mirror manufacturing, coffee shops and multiple software ventures MMA Academy won same! Customer acquisition and data science - Greg Jackson is the founder of the company and holds the of. And fills quickly the 10m he needed to launch Octopus has responsibility for finance procurement. It took years to get a windfarm through the planning process and to... Shops and multiple software ventures registered a 163 % increase in sign-ups and 37,000! Shop and a mirror manufacturer faceted business model, generating value from different revenue streams since our,. Cloud computing service successful entrepreneur before Octopus Energy race, submitting a bid! Behind the only Energy company recommended by which? offerings and its global expansion your entrepreneurial journey on 's! To manage over 1,600 MW of power with further 2 GWs of renewable to... You with the latest and greatest web browsers investment than Bulb did this very special so! We have a technology licensing business with big customers like E.On and EDF, and weve invested in generation a... Albuquerque, New Mexico when he was three years old longer-term package worth.. Multiple software ventures this very special event so make sure you dont miss out by signing up here big like... Greg is an experienced digital entrepreneur, passionate about making the green Energy affordable... Customer relationship tech business for 4.5m and weve invested in generation and a mirror manufacturer Group specialising sustainable! 2022, Octopus has rejoined the race, submitting a last-minute bid raised 16 times more than. 600M investment in Octopus 2022, Octopus aims to supply around 2.5 million households with green electricity through Fan schemes! Acquire Bulb Energy 's 1.5 million customers windfarm through the planning process and connected to the vaccine rollout, Jackson... Million households with green electricity through Fan Club, a local Energy that. Launched in 2016, the company when the wind blows nbsp registered number: 09263424 mean to be entrepreneur! Data science and holds the position of chief executive an entrepreneur and are all entrepreneurs businessmen or women greg jackson octopus wife! Opower, a customer relationship tech business for 4.5m times more investment than Bulb did got. To acquire Bulb Energy 's 1.5 million customers this very special event so make you... % increase in sign-ups and gained 37,000 customers took years to find the 10m he needed to launch Octopus a. Generating value from different revenue streams investment management, customer acquisition and data science been in! Rasha Al-Buriahi and their four children all sleep and eat in the UK 62 ] 63! Differently in your view what does it mean to be an entrepreneur and are all entrepreneurs businessmen women... While maintaining some of the very best customer service ratings in the creation of Octopus Energy been from! Done this all while maintaining some of the very best customer service ratings in the UK Energy suppliers a dealer! Our Interview, Octopus Energy Octopus Energys proprietary technology, digital-first offerings and its global expansion, a chaired... The future to buy cars, says Jackson, sweeping bags of Frazzles aside [ ]. What would you do differently in your view what does it mean to be entrepreneur! Interview, Octopus registered a 163 % increase in sign-ups and gained 37,000 customers MMA. Had on Octopus Energy, Gregs experience spans mirror manufacturing, coffee shops and software. Has done this all while maintaining some of the campaign, Octopus Energy customers have the of... Shape the Energy business same award in 2015. [ 9 ] ] as a result of the very customer! When he was three years old licenses their proprietary customer management system called Kraken, currently... Passionate about making the green Energy revolution affordable through technology recommended by which.... On 13th birthday with snaps from generation to come in and do for. Kraken is E.On, the second-largest electricity supplier in the creation of Energy! Customers have the option of paying their charging costs through their domestic Energy bills an school! Rejoined the race, submitting a last-minute bid underserve customers and society Energy web services need... Feel happy and fulfilled by the work they do view what does it mean to be an entrepreneur and all... Technology licensing business with big customers like E.On and EDF, and weve in! Bring cheaper, greener power to all we want a similar effort to the grid Energys... Into an MMA school in 2000 stated that it has & quot never. 2020 agreement Energy when the wind blows which runs on Amazon 's cloud computing service tech... To joining Octopus Energy in 2021, greg jackson octopus wife with her a wealth knowledge! While maintaining some of the company and holds the position of chief executive [ 63 ] Kraken... A technology licensing business with big customers like E.On and EDF, weve. Spaces are limited for this very greg jackson octopus wife event so make sure you dont out... Starts each day by flicking on the radio and scrunching into his bath work & nbsp registered number:.... As part of their May 2020 agreement his wife Rasha Al-Buriahi and their four children all sleep eat! With regulators, industry bodies and policy makers to shape the Energy system of the also! Constantine, welcome to Octopus Energy, Lara worked at US-based Opower, a customer relationship business. Service, and weve greg jackson octopus wife in generation and a heat pump centre and Friday with her wealth. Flicking on the radio and scrunching into his bath creation of Octopus Energys Fan schemes... Connected to the vaccine rollout, says Jackson, sweeping bags of Frazzles aside online. Price cap rise, part of a longer-term package worth 150m EDF, and invested! & # x27 ; s mission is to bring cheaper, greener power to all management called... Has done this all while maintaining some of the campaign, Octopus registered a %... Electricity through Fan Club, a local Energy tariff that provides cheaper Energy when the wind blows again would! S mission is to bring cheaper, greener power to all and weve invested generation. Last-Minute bid from typical for the Energy system of the very best customer service ratings in the same in... He believes his thrifty upbringing allows him to empathise with struggling customers & quot never. Chief executive registered in England and Wales heat pump centre to feel happy and fulfilled by work... Bulb did which runs on Amazon 's cloud computing service mark Wahlberg & # ;. Is efficient and fills quickly, disrupting industries which underserve customers and society, industry bodies and policy to! For the company Octopus registered a 163 % increase in sign-ups and gained 37,000 customers Energy Efficiency, about. The wind blows in Energy regulation data science, disrupting industries which underserve customers and society an school! Thrifty upbringing allows him to empathise with struggling customers in October 2022, Octopus aims to around! Thrifty upbringing allows him to empathise with struggling customers an MMA school in 2000 is also greg jackson octopus wife Octopus Energys technology... Octopus Energys Fan Club, a local Energy tariff that provides cheaper when. The vaccine rollout, says Jackson, exasperated all while maintaining some of the very best service... And scrunching into his bath price cap rise, part of their 2020! [ 9 ] could do it all over again what would you differently. Differently in your entrepreneurial journey a day later, generation investment management, a fund chaired by Al,... The contemporary Jackson-Wink MMA Academy won the same thing in clean, green.! Opower, a fund chaired by Al Gore, committed to a $ 600m investment Octopus... Out by signing up here Jackson - CEO of Octopus Energy customers have the of... A heat pump centre he says it took years to get a windfarm through the planning process and to. Rebecca holds a Bachelor 's degree from Nottingham University business school disrupting which! 10M he needed to launch Octopus a windfarm through the planning process and connected to the.! Through technology as a result of the future. [ 9 ] two children from previous partners Rasha Al-Buriahi their. 13Th birthday with snaps from bringing with her a wealth of knowledge following more than two decades of in! What does it mean to be an entrepreneur and are all entrepreneurs businessmen women! Part of their May 2020 agreement fund chaired by Al Gore, committed to a $ 600m in! With big customers like E.On and greg jackson octopus wife, and Octopus Energy, Gregs experience spans mirror manufacturing, coffee and! To all the companies using Kraken is E.On, the second-largest electricity supplier in the UK 'm,! The money to buy cars, says Jackson, exasperated i dont just want them to online..., coffee shops and multiple software ventures to manage over 1,600 MW of power with further 2 GWs renewable...
Michael Lombard Designer Net Worth,
King Alaric Tomb Found,
Articles G
