About us · Our story
From John O'Hara starting the business in 2001 to 25 years of Nationwide Energy in 2026, our story has grown around helping UK businesses with their energy and utilities. Explore the people, customer support and investment behind that journey.
We save our customers time and money in dealing with their utility issues, allowing them to focus on developing their business.
We put people at the heart of what we do, always do the right thing, continuously develop, and seize the day.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Nationwide Energy moved to larger premises, giving its growing team more space to support customers. These offices formed part of our story before our move to Hammond Close in 2026.
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, marking its commitment to quality service delivered by well-trained staff.
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.
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.
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.
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.
As energy prices eased in 2024, the market remained volatile. We continued 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 continued to face several cost pressures, and our support covered energy and utilities alongside telecoms and card payment options arranged through partners.
In 2025, our billing team helped customers challenge charges for historic energy use and secured their removal in successful disputes. Our contracts team also supported operators through changes of tenancy and supplier delays, with account managers keeping customers informed along the way.
By 2025, our teams were using a connected telephone system that linked call records with customer information. This helped office and field colleagues keep track of conversations and follow-ups, with our experience captured in a Wildix customer case study.
Twenty-five years after John started the business, we continued to invest in how we support customers: a new home, our own customer management system and practical guidance for the hospitality trade.
In March 2026, we introduced our own customer management system, bringing customer records, contracts and service queries together. It gives our teams a shared view of the work involved in looking after each business, from an initial enquiry to ongoing support.
We moved to Angos House, 10 Hammond Close in Nuneaton in 2026. From our new base, we continue to help pubs, restaurants, hotels, breweries and other UK businesses compare energy contracts and manage their utilities.
Our current office: Angos House, 10 Hammond Close, Attleborough Fields Industrial Estate, Nuneaton, CV11 6RY.
Our work with the sector continued through sponsorship of the MA Leaders Club and energy guidance published with The Morning Advertiser. Alongside our regular market updates, we shared practical advice on contracts, billing and energy use to help operators make informed decisions.
Learn more about our tailored energy solutions or get in touch with our team to start your energy-saving journey.
