The UK’s first app-only energy brand Pure Planet has relocated to Bath from Bristol as it prepares for a period of rapid growth.
The firm, which was launched in Bristol last spring by some of the UK mobile telecoms industry’s most experienced executives, said it was attracted to Bath by the city’s “dynamic tech industry” along with its entrepreneurial community.
Founders Andrew Ralston, Chris Alliott, Steven Day and Tom Alexander have worked together since 1999 and were responsible for the launch of Virgin Mobile in the UK before going onto to run Orange, T-Mobile and EE together.
Tom Alexander is one of Britain’s best-known telecoms entrepreneurs, having created and founded Virgin Mobile alongside Andrew and Steven.
He was chief executive of Trowbridge-based Virgin Mobile where he was credited with democratising mobile phones by offering a simple, and value-for-money service. He went on to become chief executive of Bristol-based Orange, T-Mobile and EE.
Pure Planet’s vision is to create a sustainable, compelling, mass-market company, which offers its members 100% clean, renewable power at game changing, value-for money prices.
Energy giant BP has a minority shareholding in the company, which said its move to Bath will allow for further expansion and for it to attract employees with skills in digital technology, service and marketing.
CEO Andrew Ralston said: “We chose Bath because of everything it offers – a strong sense of independence, a dynamic tech industry, its progressive, entrepreneurial community. And its unrivalled beauty, of course.
“Pure Planet harnesses the power of nature – sunshine, and wind – to create energy for our members, just as Bath is built of nature, and its thermal springs. It’s a special place to be.”
Andrew, part of the executive management team which successfully merged Orange and T-Mobile in the UK to create EE, added: “We are growing rapidly and will be looking forward to attracting the huge talent pool that exists in Bath and surrounding areas. It’s a dynamic and exciting time to be part of the community.”
The firm already had strong links with Bath despite initially setting up in Bristol. Its website and apps were developed by Bath-Based Rocketmakers.
The move from Bristol, where Pure Planet launched in the DeskLodge co-working space, goes against the trend which has resulted in a raft of firms moving from Bath to Bristol because of a shortage of suitable offices.
Pure Planet has become the first major tenant of the newly opened Spaces shared-services office in Bath city centre.
It is the first energy company to be entirely app-based and offers service through Artificial Intelligence.
It is also the first supplier to offer energy without a mark-up, meaning customers pay no more than Pure Planet pays for the energy on the wholesale market.
It is competing directly with the so-called ‘big six’ energy suppliers – British Gas, EDF, Eon, Npower, Scottish Power, SSE – by offering carbon-free energy for on average £300 less per year on average.
It also the only energy company to be signed up to the UN Global Compact, which places sustainability and social responsibility at the heart of business.
Pictured, Pure Planet founders, from left: Chris Alliott, Steven Day and Andrew Ralston
