Octopus Energy has been named Britain’s Most Admired Company 2025, becoming the youngest business ever to win the prestigious accolade.
The UK’s largest energy supplier took the top prize at a ceremony held at the London Stock Exchange, beating long-established corporate heavyweights that in some cases have been operating for more than a century.
In addition to the overall title, Octopus collected six gold sector awards and two silver sector awards, underlining the scale of its reputation across British business.
Founder and chief executive Greg Jackson said the recognition carried particular weight because it was awarded by peers and competitors across the business community.
“Business leaders use the word ‘humbled’ all the time, but this really is the case today,” Jackson said.
“To be Britain’s Most Admired Company, voted for by other businesses including our competitors, feels like a real achievement.
“It’s the result of incredible focus and dedication from 12,000 people working together, outstanding long-term investors, and the British public not just demanding something better — but choosing it.”
Britain’s Most Admired Companies is now in its 35th year, making it the UK’s longest-running annual survey of corporate reputation. The rankings are run by Echo Research in partnership with the London Stock Exchange and assess more than 250 of Britain’s largest companies across 28 industry sectors.
Companies are judged against 13 reputational criteria, with more than 350 interviews conducted with board-level executives, analysts and City commentators between July and October 2025, meaning rival businesses have a direct say in the results.
Octopus Energy was the only private company to feature in the top ten overall rankings. It secured the top spot ahead of Airbus in second place, Marks & Spencer in third, and Rolls-Royce in fourth. Rolls-Royce chief executive Tufan Erginbilgiç was named Britain’s Most Admired Leader.
Octopus won the gold sector award for Energy Distribution and Supply for the third consecutive year. It also claimed gold awards for Clarity in Strategy, Effective Use of Corporate Assets, Positive Contribution to Society and Reducing Environmental Impact. The company shared gold in Quality of Management and picked up silver awards for Ability to Attract, Develop and Retain Talent and Capacity to Innovate.
Dame Julia Hoggett, chief executive of the London Stock Exchange, said Octopus’s success reflected more than just strong financial performance.
“Octopus Energy is recognised not only for strategic clarity and operational excellence, but for visible leadership in the energy transition, where national resilience, affordability and ambition converge,” she said. “It is a powerful illustration of purpose translated into performance, and performance into trust.”
Sandra Macleod, group chief executive of Echo Research, added: “Octopus Energy’s recognition reflects a blend of strategic clarity, decisive leadership and visible societal and environmental contribution. They are being rated not only as the most admired company in their sector, but as the most admired in Britain, a rare signal of trust from peers, analysts and City commentators.”
