We have advised Beech Tree Private Equity (Beech Tree) on raising debt facilities to support its investment in Sustainable Energy First, a leading sustainable energy and utilities specialist serving the UK’s most prominent organisations. This investment will support Sustainable Energy First’s objective to decarbonise the UK’s business community by 327,000 tonnes of CO2e by 2028.
Founded by Russ Priestley and Chris Jones in 1997, Sustainable Energy First addresses the cost and complexity associated with the energy needs of medium to enterprise-size companies. Its customers represent a broad spectrum of the UK economy. The business’s purpose has always been centred around its people, creating a work environment that engenders high levels of engagement to deliver quality customer service and continuous improvement which has been at the heart of its success.
Sustainable Energy First is focused on reducing the carbon footprint of its clients, which accounts for 3.5% of the UK business power consumption. In effect, it has aligned its sustainability ambitions with those of its clients and prospects. Eradicating 327,000 tonnes of CO2e by 2028 is the goal, and this is the equivalent of taking 73,000 cars off the road.
The partnership with Beech Tree will bring significant investment that will power future service development, building on recent market-leading services such as the Sustainable Energy Consortium, which makes truly renewable energy accessible to more businesses, and Corporate Power Purchase Agreements (CPPAs), typically suitable for larger enterprises.
Our Debt Advisory team raised debt facilities from Investec, which will support Beech Tree’s investment and provide committed funding for their acquisition strategy.
