BES Utilities

BES Utilities/Ruby Energy is a UK-based, independently owned group of companies, comprising Business Energy Solutions Ltd and BES Commercial Electricity Ltd.^[1] With offices based in Fleetwood, Lancashire, BES Utilities/Ruby Energy provides commercial electricity and gas to businesses across the United Kingdom.^[2] In July 2024 BES announced it was re-branding itself to Ruby Energy from August 2024.^[3]

Business Energy Solutions Ltd (trading as BES Commercial Gas) was established in 2002 and BES Commercial Electricity Ltd was established in 2009. BES Telecom Ltd was established in 2013 and subsequently sold in 2017. In November 2015, BES Utilities (as it was then) applied for a water services licence with the Water Industry Commission for Scotland.^[4]

Since its formation, BES has grown to become one of the largest employers on the Fylde coast, with over 250 employees. BES Utilities was featured in the 2017 London Stock Exchange Group’s 1000 companies to Inspire Britain report.^[5] BES Utilities/Ruby Energy was amongst four companies within the North West credited with being the most dynamic and fastest-growing SMEs (small to medium-sized enterprises) in the country. In 2018 the company created an additional 50 new roles based at its Head Office in Fleetwood.^[6]

It was revealed through the Andrew Pilley fraud trial that at least 86% of the contracts brokered to BES Utilities came through means of fraud, which was through a sham setup of 'independent brokers'.^[7]

BES Utilities/Ruby Energy fueron investigadas por la Oficina de Mercados de Gas y Electricidad (Ofgem), que determinó que BES no explicó con suficiente detalle los pormenores de los contratos de sus clientes y, en algunos casos, impidió erróneamente que 108 clientes cambiaran de proveedor. La investigación de Ofgem resultó en una multa de 2,00 £, con un paquete de compensación acordado de aproximadamente 980 000 £ pagado por BES mediante una donación a una organización benéfica de asesoramiento sobre deudas y pagos de compensación a varios clientes afectados. ^{[ 8 ]}

En septiembre de 2023, se anunció que BES (ahora Ruby Energy) estaba nuevamente bajo investigación por parte de Ofgem, tras la condena y el encarcelamiento de Andrew Pilley . ^{[ 9 ]}

En enero de 2018, BES Utilities llegó a un acuerdo en un caso ante el Tribunal Superior contra dos hombres, en el que la empresa había alegado que habían hecho afirmaciones falsas sobre la empresa durante tres años. ^{[ 10 ] [ 11 ]}

En julio de 2017, BES Utilities inició acciones legales contra la autoridad fiscal de Trading Standards, el Consejo de Cheshire West y Cheshire. El caso llegó a juicio en noviembre de 2021, y la sentencia, dictada en agosto de 2022, desestimó la totalidad de las demandas y declaró a BES, sus directores y empleados culpables de deshonestidad reiterada. ^{[ 12 ]}

El 28 de julio de 2016, las oficinas de BES fueron allanadas por Trading Standards como parte de una investigación sobre la venta fraudulenta de contratos por parte de supuestos corredores independientes. Posteriormente, en 2017, BES presentó una demanda por daños y perjuicios de 8,6 millones de libras esterlinas contra Cheshire West and Chester Trading Standards, la cual fue desestimada. ^{[ 13 ]}

En septiembre de 2021, el propietario Andrew Pilley fue acusado de fraude y blanqueo de dinero cometidos a través de BES. ^{[ 14 ]} Los cargos incluían dos cargos de dirigir un negocio con la intención de defraudar a acreedores u otros al permitir la venta fraudulenta de contratos de suministro de energía, permitir la venta fraudulenta por parte de representantes de ventas y estar involucrado en la retención de bienes de origen delictivo. ^{[ 15 ]}

Entre el 10 de octubre de 2022 y el 19 de mayo de 2023, se celebró el juicio penal en el Tribunal de la Corona de Preston. El 19 de mayo de 2023, Pilley fue declarado culpable por unanimidad de todos los cargos. ^{[ 16 ]} El 4 de julio de 2023, Pilley fue condenado a 13 años de prisión.

Co-conspirators received other lengthy jail terms.^[17] The co-conspirators included BES employee Joel Chapman (sentenced to 8 months imprisonment) who at the time was Head of Regulatory and Compliance; BES Director Michelle Davidson (sentenced to 6 year’s imprisonment); and Lee Qualter/Goulding who was the director of the sham ‘independent brokerages’ in reality controlled by BES and Pilley (sentenced to 7 years imprisonment).^[18]

BES Utilities is the main sponsor of Fleetwood Town Football Club, which is a professional association football club based in the town of Fleetwood, Lancashire, England. Established in 1997, the current Fleetwood Town F.C. is the third incarnation of the club; it was first formed in 1908. The team compete in League One, the third tier of English football. Their home strip is red shirts with white sleeves and white shorts. The home ground is Highbury Stadium in Fleetwood, and the supporters are affectionately known as the Cod Army. The club won the 2011–12 Football Conference, and played in the Football League for the first time in its history in the 2012–13 season. In May 2014, at Wembley, Fleetwood won the promotion play-off to League One, the club's sixth promotion in 10 years.

BES Utilities partnered with Blackpool Illuminations, an annual lights festival in Lancashire, to provide electricity for the lights for free in 2014 and at a discounted rate in 2015. The expected value of the deal exceeded £100,000, making BES the largest contributor to the lights in the last ten years.^[19][20]

In 2018 BES Utilities, along with Fleetwood Town F.C. and Card Saver agreed to be the main sponsor of local championship boxer Brian Rose.^[21]

The Business Energy Solutions Fund is independently managed by a company called Charis Grants, who administer schemes for several leading energy and water companies.^[22]

In 2015 BES wrote to all of its non-domestic customers in the flood-affected areas offering financial support in a bid to help those who have suffered damage to buildings and ruined stock.^[23]