Our Journey

Discover the evolution of Nationwide Energy and how we've helped businesses save energy and improve efficiency. Our passion for innovation and sustainability drives us forward.

Our Mission

We save our customers time and money in dealing with their utility issues, allowing them to focus on developing their business.

Our Values

We put people at the heart of what we do, always do the right thing, continuously develop, and seize the day.

Our History

2001

Founded by John O'Hara

Following the deregulation of the energy market for small & medium sized enterprises (SMEs) John O'Hara started Nationwide Energy from his back bedroom, operating as a solo entrepreneur focused on helping small businesses make savings on their energy through taking advantage of the new market where suppliers were keen to gain market share by offering more competitive costs.

2002

First Sales Team Recruited

Nationwide Energy expanded with the recruitment of two sales consultants, offering gas and electricity savings to more local businesses. John identified the hospitality industry, particularly pubs, as a key sector that could benefit significantly from his expertise.

2003

New Leadership & First Office

Nationwide Energy grew, securing its first office in a local business centre. John's son, Dean O'Hara, joined the company to help widen its scope, and the team expanded with additional sales staff. The business became the preferred partner for many breweries, thanks to strong relationships with Business Development Managers.

2004

Larger Office for a Growing Team

As the team grew to six or seven members, Nationwide Energy moved to a larger office within the Centenary Business Centre, allowing it to accommodate its expanding operations.

2007

New Headquarters

Having grown consistently over the years, Nationwide Energy moved to its current offices, with a team of over 30 employees. This marked a new era of professionalism, with more space to serve its growing customer base.

2008

Expansion with New Leadership

John's brother, Gerry O'Hara, joined as Operations Director to manage the company’s increasing operations. Nationwide Energy also achieved Investors in People and ISO: 9001 accreditations, showcasing its commitment to delivering quality services through well-trained staff.

2014

John Steps Back, Dean Takes the Lead

John stepped back from the business, with Dean assuming the role of Managing Director. Under Dean’s leadership, Nationwide Energy started to diversify beyond our traditional base in hospitality and offer our services to manufacturing, commercial and agricultural sectors.

2019

Expanding Services

Responding to client requests, Nationwide Energy diversified its services by adding merchant services and telecoms to its portfolio. This allowed the company to cater more effectively to the needs of hospitality businesses.

2020

Navigating the Covid-19 Pandemic

Despite the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic, Nationwide Energy retained all its staff, with 30% working from home to continue supporting customers. The team provided valuable energy-saving advice through partnerships and newsletters during the lockdown, helping businesses reduce their utility costs during uncertain times.

2022

UK Energy Crisis Response

During the energy crisis, Nationwide Energy remained committed to a customer-focused approach. We advised many of our customers to opt for one-year contracts or remain on deemed rates, with the expectation that prices would decline quickly. Prioritising our customers' best interests, rather than locking them into longer-term contracts at high rates.

Energy became the highest cost for many of our partners and customers, and interest in market trends and pricing intensified. Our regular market updates and analysis were widely distributed, which led to partnerships with various trade bodies and media outlets. We continue to support organisations such as the British Beer & Pub Association and The Morning Advertiser, the leading publication for the hospitality industry, by providing insights and updates on the energy landscape.

2024

Market Stabilisation

While energy prices are now lower, the market remains volatile. We continues to shape the debate around commercial energy, representing our customers in discussions with Ofgem and other regulatory bodies, ensuring their interests influence the evolving energy market. Our customers continue to face several cost pressures. Nationwide Energy remains at the forefront of supporting businesses with great value deals with utilities, telecoms and card payment solutions, in a still-volatile market.

Want to Know More?

Learn more about our tailored energy solutions or get in touch with our team to start your energy-saving journey.