Centrica acquires owner of leading digital platform, Ignition

29 July 2024

3 Minutes

Tech & Innovation

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Centrica today announces it has acquired ENSEK, a leading provider of digital transformation services in the energy sector, and its innovative customer account management platform, Ignition, for an undisclosed amount. The acquisition builds on the strategic partnership agreed between the companies in August 2021.

At the time the strategic partnership was signed, Centrica announced it intended to move British Gas’ domestic customers onto the Ignition platform. This process is well underway with the majority of customers now on the new platform. The Net Promoter Score (NPS), a key measure of customer satisfaction, is materially higher for customers who are on Ignition.

"Not only are customers on the Ignition platform happier with the service they receive, they’re also able to take advantage of new innovations, such as PeakSave, to help manage their energy use more carefully which can lead to lower bills"

Catherine O’Kelly, Managing Director, British Gas Energy

The acquisition will deliver strong returns aligned with Centrica's capital allocation framework and investment thresholds and will enhance Centrica’s ability to offer innovative propositions to its customers as the energy system continues to develop.

Catherine O’Kelly, Managing Director, British Gas Energy, commented: “British Gas has partnered with ENSEK since its early days, and its Ignition platform is now serving the majority of our domestic customers. I have seen first hand the improvements it has helped us to make in our customer service and product innovation. Not only are customers on the Ignition platform happier with the service they receive, they’re also able to take advantage of new innovations, such as PeakSave, to help manage their energy use more carefully which can lead to lower bills. I’m pleased that in taking this next step in our journey with ENSEK, we will be able to accelerate the benefits for all customers using its technology. I look forward to building on the excellent work we’ve started.”

The acquisition is expected to complete in the third quarter of this year.

Notes to editors

· Centrica’s partnership with ENSEK was established in 2017. It enabled the development of Centrica’s SME offer ‘British Gas Lite’, where ENSEK provided the core platform to facilitate its online-serviced electricity product.

· Centrica first announced its strategic partnership with ENSEK in August 2021. The press release for that announcement can be found here.

· The majority of British Gas domestic customers are now on ENSEK’s Ignition platform.

· ENSEK’s broad customer base will continue to benefit from its platform, services, and expertise after the acquisition is complete.

· The acquisition marks an exit for investor LDC following a successful seven-year partnership.