Who is In Charge Of Octopus Energy? – Who is Greg Jackson?
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Early Life and Background
Greg Jackson, born in September 1971, grew up in Halifax, West Yorkshire, before moving to Saltburn-by-the-Sea in North Yorkshire. His early interest in technology was sparked during the 1980s, where he immersed himself in electronics and computer coding. At just 16, he left school to pursue programming computer games but later returned to sixth form college to study economics. Jackson’s academic journey led him to Pembroke College, Cambridge, where he continued to develop the foundation for his entrepreneurial career.
From Humble Beginnings to Tech Entrepreneurship
Greg Jackson’s early experiences with fluctuating energy bills, including having his energy supply cut off as a child, left a profound impact on him. These experiences fuelled his desire to change the energy system, which he would later realize through his founding of Octopus Energy. Before establishing Octopus, Jackson was already a seasoned entrepreneur. By the age of 30, he had either founded or managed various small businesses, ranging from e-commerce to telemedicine, with turnovers ranging between £400k and £4 million.
Founding Octopus Energy
In 2015, Greg Jackson founded Octopus Energy, a subsidiary of Octopus Group, with a mission to revolutionize the energy sector by making green, affordable energy accessible to everyone. Since its inception, Octopus has grown into a global energy and technology company, serving 7.2 million customers across 18 countries. Jackson’s vision centred around leveraging technology to facilitate a green energy transition. Octopus’s proprietary technology platform, Kraken, has become a pivotal tool in managing energy accounts worldwide, with over 40 million accounts utilizing its capabilities.
Pioneering the Green Energy Revolution
Under Jackson’s leadership, Octopus Energy has been at the forefront of the renewable energy revolution. The company’s green tech innovations, such as dynamic tariffs that offer cheaper electricity when renewable sources like wind and solar power are abundant, have resonated with consumers. This approach not only reduces energy costs for customers but also contributes significantly to a cleaner, greener planet. Octopus’s commitment to green energy is underscored by its portfolio of £6 billion in renewable energy assets across Europe (Click here to read more about Octopus Energy’s 100% Renewable and Carbon Neutral electricity).
Angel Investor and Tech Innovator
Beyond Octopus, Greg Jackson has built a reputation as a serial entrepreneur and angel investor. He has founded several successful tech businesses, including e-commerce company C360, and has invested in numerous start-ups. His portfolio includes companies like Xlinks, which is constructing the world’s largest subsea cable to transport renewable energy from Morocco to the UK, and Altruistiq, a carbon accounting company. Jackson’s track record of building and scaling tech-driven businesses further cements his reputation as an innovator in the digital and energy sectors.
Global Expansion and Recognition
Octopus Energy’s growth under Jackson’s leadership has been meteoric. The company has expanded beyond the UK, entering markets in Japan, Australia, and several other countries. Octopus has attracted significant investment, with over $2.3 billion raised from major global investors, including Generation Investment Management, chaired by former U.S. Vice President Al Gore. The company’s valuation has soared to around $8 billion, making it one of the most prominent players in the energy sector (Read more about Octopus Energy’s investment in green energy here).
Commitment to Affordable and Sustainable Energy
Greg Jackson’s drive to disrupt the energy market is rooted in his belief that energy should be affordable, reliable, and green. Octopus’s business model focuses on providing cheaper tariffs while promoting sustainability. Jackson’s approach of aligning business growth with environmental responsibility has resonated with consumers and investors alike. His leadership in advocating for a greener energy system has positioned Octopus as a leader in the global energy transition.
Recognition and Honours
In recognition of his contributions to the energy industry and his leadership in promoting renewable energy, Greg Jackson was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 2024. This honour highlights his impact on both the UK and global energy landscapes, as well as his commitment to addressing climate change through innovation and technology.
Personal Life
Greg Jackson currently resides in London and is a father of two. Despite his busy professional life, Jackson remains passionate about using his platform to drive positive change, particularly in the energy and technology sectors. His vision for a more sustainable future continues to shape the trajectory of Octopus Energy and inspire others in the industry.
Conclusion
Greg Jackson is more than just the founder and CEO of Octopus Energy; he is a visionary entrepreneur whose life’s work is dedicated to reshaping the energy industry. From his humble beginnings in West Yorkshire to leading a multi-billion-dollar green tech company, Jackson’s journey is a testament to the power of technology, innovation, and a relentless pursuit of sustainability. Through Octopus Energy, he is not only making energy more affordable but also ensuring a greener future for generations to come.
Octopus Energy Senior Leadership Team
Below is a full list of the Octopus Energy senior leadership team, working alongside Greg Jackson. Updated as of October 2024.
Stuart Jackson, CFO
Stuart Jackson is the Co-Founder and Chief Financial Officer of Octopus Energy. He oversees finance, procurement, market risk management, customer acquisition, and data science. Prior to Octopus, Stuart collaborated with Greg Jackson on a retail financial services venture and held senior roles at Barclays Bank and as a strategy consultant. He holds a degree in Economics from Cambridge University.
James Eddison, CTO
James Eddison is the Chief Technology Officer of Octopus Energy and the creator of the company’s proprietary platform, Kraken. His background as an e-commerce specialist and former CTO at Tangent plc has been instrumental in Octopus’s technological innovation and global expansion. He has developed platforms for major clients such as Citroën and Hermes.
Rebecca Dibb-Simkin, Chief Marketing & Product Officer
Rebecca Dibb-Simkin is the Chief Marketing and Product Officer at Octopus Energy, overseeing in-house marketing and customer-focused product development. Her expertise in revamping technology products, honed during her time at British Gas, has driven Octopus’s strong customer growth and online presence. She holds a Bachelor’s degree from Nottingham University Business School.
Jon Paull, COO
Jon Paull is the Chief Operating Officer of Octopus Energy, with 18 years of experience in building energy challengers in Australia and the UK. He was instrumental in the creation of companies like Simply Energy and has played a key role in Octopus’s global operations. Jon holds an MBA from La Trobe University and Chifley Business School.
Deepak Ravindran, CEO of Kraken Utilities
Deepak Ravindran is the CEO of Kraken Utilities, having joined from Boston Consulting Group in 2022. With extensive experience in transforming legacy businesses through technology, Deepak now focuses on automating and scaling operations in low-tech sectors. He holds an MBA from the Indian Institute of Management and a B Tech in Chemical Engineering from IIT.
Devrim Celal, CEO of KrakenFlex
Devrim Celal is the CEO of KrakenFlex, Octopus Energy’s platform for controlling distributed energy assets like EVs and batteries (Click here to read more about Octopus Energy, EV charging offerings). With a background in management consulting and finance, Devrim has driven the growth of KrakenFlex’s renewable energy management capabilities. He holds an MBA from Yale University.
Zoisa North-Bond, CEO of Octopus Energy for Business & Octopus Energy Generation
Zoisa North-Bond leads both Octopus Energy for Business and Octopus Energy Generation. Her division supplies renewable energy to businesses and manages a 3GW portfolio of renewable assets. Zoisa’s previous role as Managing Director at Eneco UK helped establish her expertise in renewable energy development.
Fiona Howarth, CEO of Octopus Electric Vehicles
Fiona Howarth is the CEO of Octopus Electric Vehicles, leading initiatives to accelerate EV adoption through smart charging solutions and leasing schemes. She previously worked on hydrogen fuel cells at BMW and led smart home innovations at British Gas. Fiona holds a degree in Engineering, Economics, and Management from Oxford.
John Szymik, CEO of Octopus Energy Services
John Szymik leads Octopus Energy Services, overseeing engineering operations, energy efficiency programs, and the development of heat pump technologies. With over 20 years of experience in energy entrepreneurship, John founded Affect Energy, which became part of Octopus in 2018.
Rachel Fletcher, Director for Regulation and Economics
Rachel Fletcher is the Director for Regulation and Economics at Octopus Energy, focused on shaping policies to support the transition to net zero. Previously, she was the Chief Executive of Ofwat and a senior partner at Ofgem, where she worked on energy sustainability and affordability initiatives.
Joe Richardson, Operations Director at Octopus Energy Group
Joe Richardson is the Director of Operations for Octopus Energy GB, leading the UK operations team. He played a key role in integrating customers from Bulb and Shell Energy into Octopus and improving customer experience through smart tariffs and green tech solutions. Joe previously worked at Bulb and Google.
Clem Cowton, Director of External Affairs
Clem Cowton is the Director of External Affairs at Octopus Energy, leading the company’s policy and government relations. She has been instrumental in advocating for the energy price cap and driving policies for decarbonization. Clem’s background is in political consultancy for clean tech sectors.
Lara Beers, Global Director of Business Development for Kraken Technologies
Lara Beers leads Kraken Technologies’ global business development, driving the expansion of Octopus’s tech platform across international markets. Previously, she worked at Opower, a pioneer in energy efficiency, and later at Oracle Utilities after its acquisition.
Lucy Yu, CEO of Centre for Net Zero
Lucy Yu is the CEO of Centre for Net Zero, where she spearheads research on consumer-centric energy systems. With nearly 20 years of experience in technology and policy, Lucy’s work focuses on driving systems-level change for a people-centred energy transition. She is also an Associate Fellow at the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change.