Penningtons Manches Cooper advises Sustainable Energy First on investment from Beech Tree Private Equity

Posted: 30/04/2024

The corporate team at Penningtons Manches Cooper has advised Sustainable Energy First, a leading sustainable energy and utilities specialist, on its investment from Beech Tree Private Equity.

Sustainable Energy First was founded by Russ Priestley and Chris Jones in 1997 to address the cost and complexity associated with the energy needs of medium to enterprise size companies. Its customers represent a broad spectrum of the UK economy. 

Sustainable Energy First is focused on reducing the carbon footprint of its clients, which account for 3.5% of UK business power consumption, and has aligned its own sustainability ambitions with those of its clients. Beech Tree’s investment will support Sustainable Energy First’s objective to decarbonise the UK’s business community by 327,000 tonnes CO2e by 2028.

The team advising Sustainable Energy First was led by corporate partners Adam McGiveron and Emma Bryant, and included support from corporate tax partner Oliver Gutman, real estate partner Laura Gorman, banking senior associate Andy Rushfirth, and corporate associates Hayfa Hazem and Jennifer Ford.

Russ Priestley, founder of Sustainable Energy First, said: “The co-investment with Beech Tree and the management team will increase our service capabilities, marking a new highly progressive chapter for Sustainable Energy First and our clients. We have valued the expertise and advice offered by Adam, Emma and the rest of the team at Penningtons Manches Cooper on this strategic investment for Sustainable Energy First.”

Adam McGiveron, corporate partner at Penningtons Manches Cooper, said: “We are delighted to have advised Sustainable Energy on their investment from Beech Tree Private Equity. This investment provides Sustainable Energy First with further investment in data and technology to accelerate their core mission of reducing the carbon footprint for its customers.”

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