Lille, a growth catalyst for Octopus Energy and its teams

Already established in the European metropolis since 2023, Octopus Energy is now deploying a strategic hub here. Attracted by the city’s accessibility, quality of life and pool of local talent, the company is accelerating its growth in Lille, driven by its ambition… and a precious helping hand from Hello Lille, the city’s attraction agency.

©Octopus Energy

From London to Lille, growth driven by green energy

Founded in 2016 in London, Octopus Energy is now a key global player in the energy transition. Present in more than 30 countries, the company adopts an integrated approach: electricity and gas supply, renewable energy production, solar solutions for private customers and, depending on the market, installation of charging stations or heat pumps.

In France, it is starting to expand through its merger with Plüm Énergie in 2022. The ambition is clear: to reach one million customers by 2027, having grown from 50,000 to 500,000 in just three years.

Our mission is to accelerate the energy transition. We do this by offering accessible services, but also by rewarding responsible behaviour: customers who consume less are financially rewarded, thanks to our eco-consumer bonus.

explains Pierre Pelletier, Director of Customer Operations.

Why Lille? A strategic and human choice

The French head office is based in Paris, but it is in Lille that Octopus Energy has found the ideal location to support its expansion. The installation of its first office just a stone’s throw from Lille Flandres station in autumn 2023 was made possible by Hiptown, which was able to offer a flexible, scalable office rental solution perfectly suited to rapid growth. In December 2024, the company will reach a new milestone with a move to a brand-new building that is already a landmark, and in the immediate vicinity of the train stations. A project identified and negotiated with the support of property broker JLL.

Lille was a natural choice: very accessible from Paris and London, a solid employment base, a real quality of life… And above all, a unique human atmosphere – the Lille way. I’m based in Paris, but it’s always a great pleasure for me to visit our staff in Lille.

adds Pierre Pelletier, all smiles, clearly delighted to have to go there regularly.

Today, 180 people work at the Lille site – teams dedicated to customer relations and sales for the French market. And the new premises have been designed to anticipate the future… because the aim is to reach 400 employees by 2027.

Recruiting differently, with the support of the Lille ecosystem

At Octopus Energy, we don’t just recruit on the basis of a CV, but also a state of mind. The company values benevolence, autonomy and diversity of career paths, and trusts its teams to manage customer relations flexibly and responsibly. The result is a close-knit team with a wide range of profiles from all backgrounds, united by shared values.

But recruiting to keep pace with our growth is a major challenge. The needs are great, the profiles are highly targeted, and the company’s invaluable culture must be preserved. In this context, the collaboration recently initiated with Hello Lille, the city’s attraction agency, comes at just the right time, providing new connections and a real boost.

For the moment, this is really the start of our collaboration with Hello Lille. We’ve organised a presentation on our premises and have been put in touch with employment players in the region: APEC, France Travail and Proche Emploi. But I can already feel a new dynamic, a turning point has been reached. Last month alone, we recruited 15 people!

says Chloé Ponthieux, Talent Partner at Octopus Energy.

###Lille plays a key facilitating role here, creating concrete links with the region’s resources, in the service of a human and sustainable project. It’s a promising move that also paves the way for future local synergies, in line with the group’s ambitions.

Two years after its arrival, Octopus Energy has confirmed – if confirmation were needed – that Lille is not just a good choice – it’s a lever for transformation. Boosted by an agile ecosystem, committed talent and a strong human base, the company illustrates how a region can become a genuine partner for growth. An inspiring example for all companies seeking to combine growth, attractiveness and sustainable commitment.

Project monitored by

Sophie Dupont

Implementation project manager

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