Ecotricity named Company of the Year at Growing Business Awards

Green energy supplier Ecotricity has been named ‘Company of the Year’ at the Growing Business Awards. In a ceremony which kick-started the 2011 ‘Global Entrepreneurship Week’, the awards recognise UK independent and entrepreneurial businesses. Previous winners include LOVEfilm and lastminute.com. Ecotricity claimed first prize in the ‘Company of the Year’ category, which recognises “world-class, independently owned, UK-based companies”. Ecotricity founder Dale Vince said: “Ecotricity’s mission is to change where Britain’s energy comes from – to bring about energy independence and sustainability. We have a radical business model where customers are valued, ethical business is the norm, and people and planet come before profits. Rather than pay dividends to outside shareholders, Ecotricity uses its profits to build new sources of green energy – it’s what we call turning bills into windmills.” The award recognised the success of Ecotricity’s customer service, innovative financing with ecobonds (the second version of which was launched recently to broad acclaim), solar energy, electric vehicle charging network, and growth as a business.