Rebel Energy, the UK energy start-up, has completed its Board of Directors with full gender parity as it moves towards its full launch later in the year. The appointments include experienced, high-profile figures from the energy sector and across the wider UK business landscape.
The make-up of the Board reflects Rebel Energy’s values and social mission, including its pledge to protecting the most vulnerable people in our communities, so that everybody has access to the transition to green energy.
The Board demonstrates Rebel’s commitment to proper corporate governance, even as a start-up, to renew the way business is done in the utilities space.
In a significant coup, Rebel has appointed Simon Heale as Chairman. Simon brings with him extensive experience in commodity trading and leadership roles across a wide range of industries, including being former CEO of the London Metal Exchange. Simon was also previously Chairman of Kaz Minerals plc, Energean plc and Marex Spectron.
Reflecting a wider shift being felt across the UK public, Simon is now fully committed to playing a leading role in the transition to clean fuels. His experience of the extractive industry sector and of financial services will be highly valuable to Rebel Energy as it scales up its operations over the coming months and years. Simon has also worked in a variety of senior positions for multinational corporations including Jardine Fleming Limited, as Chief Operating Officer, and Cathay Pacific, as Deputy Managing Director.
Commenting on his appointment and the wider Board, Heale said: “With more and more people (myself included) recognizing the need for urgent action to address the climate crisis, and with the pandemic making all of us re-think the choices we make, this is a very exciting time to be joining Rebel Energy. I’m delighted to be chairing a highly respected and experienced Board of Directors. We’ve all been genuinely inspired by the Rebel Energy mission and believe that this new approach to energy transition, linking climate change to social issues and poverty, will resonate with people all across the UK.”
Also joining the Board as Non-Executive Directors are:
Jason Sharpe, who brings with him an impressive track record of advising early-stage businesses around growth and customer acquisition. Jason was previously Managing Director of OVO Energy during its significant growth phase, growing the business from 80,000 to 450,000 customers. Jason will offer extensive insights into establishing a strong foothold in the UK energy market. Jason’s other experience includes leadership roles with Sainsburys, Asda/Walmart, First Direct and Vodafone.
Victoria MacGregor is Director of Network Strategy and Standards at Citizens Advice, leading the organisation’s statutory energy advocacy function. Victoria’s appointment as a vulnerability advocate shows that Rebel really means what is says when it comes to helping low-income households. Victoria will be tasked to hold Rebel’s commercial plans accountable to their social objectives at the highest level of business governance. Victoria has unrivalled knowledge of energy affordability issues and will work with the Rebel team to ensure its products and services directly address the needs of vulnerable people. Victoria’s previous experience also includes more than a decade working at EDF Energy as Head of Public Affairs.
Monique Pollard, Director, Equity Research at Citi and previously Goldman Sachs, who offers a wealth of experience in mapping the financial growth of service-based stocks. Monique will support the Rebel team to establish the right growth trajectory and will also provide significant expertise in investor relationships.
Eskandar Sadeghi, CFA, a finance specialist and portfolio manager, will advise the Rebel leadership team when it comes to investment and commercial strategy. Eskandar is currently Portfolio Construction Specialist at global investment management firm, T. Rowe Price.
Dan Bates, Co-Founder & CEO at Rebel Energy, added: “We think we’ve managed to cover all bases with this Board. What was important to us was that we appointed non-executive directors who really understood and bought into our mission. We wanted a range of experience and skills to ensure we had the right support and insight, not only around the commercial and financial aspects of our business, but also in ensuring we stay true to our values in everything that we do.”
The announcement of the Board of Directors follows on from Rebel Energy’s recent Crowdcube fundraise in March, where it raised 335 per cent of its crowdfunding target of £150,000. The initial target was reached within an hour of going public. More than half a million pounds was raised from over 650 investors – one of the most successful pre-revenue raises on the platform and a massive vote of confidence from the investor community ahead of the launch.
Penelope Hope, Co-Founder & COO at Rebel Energy, commented: “It’s a remarkable thing to have a Board in place at all, given our relative youth as a company, let alone one that comprises such experience and acumen, and one that is also gender-balanced. This speaks directly to the third pillar of our mission, ‘Renew the way business is done’, and highlights the seriousness of our intent both in business and governance.”
Rebel Energy is the first renewable energy company to be leading with a social mission, committed to lifting thousands of vulnerable people out of fuel poverty and ensuring everybody in the UK can access the transition to green energy.
For more information, please visit https://www.rebelenergy.com
