Rebel Energy, the new UK energy supplier, has selected Teddington for its base and national headquarters as the green energy start-up sets out to address the UK’s biggest climate and social issues from a local level.
Rebel’s CEO and co-founder Dan Bates is a Teddington local. He’s determined to put the area at the forefront of the UK’s green energy switch with his new company, Rebel Energy. The renewable energy supplier, which recently raised over £500,000 from a crowdfunding campaign, has located its 12-strong team in town, with plans to grow headcount over the coming year, driven by local recruitment, as it moves towards nationwide launch.
Rebel Energy is the first renewable energy company to be leading with a social mission, committed to lifting millions of vulnerable people out of fuel poverty and ensuring everybody in the UK takes part in the transition to green energy. Local Teddington residents will have the opportunity to become Rebel customers and lead the renewable energy transition by becoming some of the first beta-testers.
The company has acquired 128sq.m of office space on the second floor of 8 Waldegrave Road – a brownfield site recently transformed into the bespoke new headquarters for Richmond Housing Partnership (RHP). Rebel Energy saw the opportunity to support the RHP rather than a private landlord. The partnership will provide an unprecedented opportunity to build out the company’s Vulnerability Strategy in conjunction with RHP’s tenants, ensuring that Rebel Energy’s social product and service offering are the best in class.
In addition, the building was recognised for its high-quality energy efficient design and technologies, utilising solar photovoltaic panels (PVs) and comfort cooling. The project won widespread recognition including a Green Apple Award for Sustainability and was shortlisted in the RIBA London Awards, as well as achieving a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating.
“Being a resident of Teddington for 14 years, I’ve been involved with and have witnessed the strength of the local community and the work local people are doing to raise awareness of climate change and social injustice. So, basing ourselves in the middle of the town felt like a natural choice for us,” said Dan Bates, Rebel CEO and local entrepreneur. “We have an opportunity to make Teddington a shining light in Britain’s energy transition, and to demonstrate the benefits of making renewable energy affordable and accessible to all members of the community. As part of this, we’ll be looking to build relationships and support local community initiatives aimed at addressing social and climate issues.”
Over the coming weeks, Rebel is kicking off a local engagement drive and getting fully involved in Teddington life. The first event is a brunch on the 10th of September to celebrate the opening of the start-up’s new office, with prominent members of the community attending. The following day, Rebel will be promoting a different approach to energy at its stall at the much-loved St. Margaret’s Fair. In addition, the startup will be working with the Twickenham sea cadets for various projects, as well as offering education on climate restoration.
Rebel Energy is currently recruiting for a number of roles, all of which will be open to people locally. As part of their commitment to providing local jobs, they have recently hired a graphic designer from Kingston University to support an undergraduate with a part time job, an accountant from Twickenham and an assistant from Hampton Wick.
The energy start-up has also launched an internship programme, offering a local sixth form leaver an eight-week paid (real London-living wage) internship. Its current intern, Max, recently graduated from Orleans Park Sixth Form in Twickenham and is now supporting Rebel’s engagement project in the local area.
Rebel Energy also plans to attend local schools to talk about renewable energy and social inclusivity, and opportunities to work within the green energy sector.
Bates said: “We’re committed to filling core business function roles with local people wherever possible, and to providing our employees with the flexibility they need around work and life commitments. We offer a great working environment, with hot desking and an open-plan setting to encourage collaboration and teamwork. We also have large breakout areas, sofas and communal working spaces. And we’re right in the middle of town so we have the delights of Teddington High Street right on our doorstep!”
Rebel Energy offers an inclusive, collaborative and friendly work environment with competitive salaries, working with the latest technology including MacBook Pros. Each employee receives one wellbeing day every month, flexible working hours and remote working. All staff are encouraged to take a minimum of one complete week off each quarter to fully recharge. Rebel employees can sign up to the Employee Share Scheme and receive continual investment in personal and professional development. The company also provides generous maternity, paternity and adoption leave, opportunities to join BUPA healthcare and subscribe to the company pension plan and cycle to work scheme.
