Customer-owned utility firm gains 4,500 clients

A couple taking on the “Big Six” power firms with a consumer-owned energy company have pre-registered more than 4,500 customers. New users will begin to receive gas and electricity from People’s Energy across the UK as the company starts trading.

After becoming disillusioned with the existing energy firms, David Pike, 53, and Karin Sode, 47, sought to raise £500,000. Over the past year they have raised funds through crowdfunding, secured an Ofgem licence, won entrepreneurial and innovation awards, and built a team from their base in Musselburgh.