Chris Hulatt

Joanna Santinon, UK Entrepreneur Of The Year Programme Leader, said: “In true entrepreneurial style, Chris and Simon started Octopus from scratch and have scaled it to a business of significant size.

“Right from the outset their main driver was to do things better and breathe new life into industries, which serve some of society’s most important needs. They have built highly disruptive, customer obsessed businesses with real purpose at their core.

“It’s the type of business we are… Show more

Joanna Santinon, UK Entrepreneur Of The Year Programme Leader, said: “In true entrepreneurial style, Chris and Simon started Octopus from scratch and have scaled it to a business of significant size.

“Right from the outset their main driver was to do things better and breathe new life into industries, which serve some of society’s most important needs. They have built highly disruptive, customer obsessed businesses with real purpose at their core.

“It’s the type of business we are increasingly seeing come through our programme year-on-year. Fast-growth companies that are led with a desire to make a difference in the world and to people’s lives, which aligns with EY’s own purpose – Building a Better Working World. It demonstrates the importance, and also the power of the global entrepreneurial community in making change happen.” Show less

In the last few years, Octopus has entered a number of new industries – most notably energy and healthcare – building care homes, hospitals, retirement villages, and special needs schools. It is also the third largest owner of renewable energy assets in the UK, capable of powering a city the size of Manchester with renewable energy.

Octopus dominates a number of the markets they operate in and are regularly voted the number one provider for customer service. Their aim is to turn their… Show more

In the last few years, Octopus has entered a number of new industries – most notably energy and healthcare – building care homes, hospitals, retirement villages, and special needs schools. It is also the third largest owner of renewable energy assets in the UK, capable of powering a city the size of Manchester with renewable energy.

Octopus dominates a number of the markets they operate in and are regularly voted the number one provider for customer service. Their aim is to turn their dream of “Octopus In Every Home” into a reality.

Simon Pearson, EY Entrepreneur Of The Year leader in London, said: “Set up in 2000, Octopus is a highly disruptive, customer-obsessed business in the financial services, energy and healthcare sectors and is one of the fastest growing private companies in the world.

“Motivated by the opinions of their employees and customers and the impact they are making, Simon and Christopher want to breathe new life into the industries serving some of our most important needs and thereby improving the lives of millions of people.”

Simon and Christopher of Octopus, who also took home the Master award, were described by the independent panel of judges as ‘fast growth’ and ‘disrupting an entire sector in renewables.’

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Octopus has won dozens of awards for its customer-driven product design and services, but I'm especially proud that we've twice been voted one of the best 100 SMEs to work for.