Businesses should beware unscrupulous brokers and disingenuous consultants continuing to capitalise on a non domestic energy market increasingly dominated by third party intermediaries (TPIs).
That’s the verdict of a sector-leading industry expert campaigning for clarity and fairness in the face of a complex picture clouded by conflicting advice and hidden commissions.
Callum Thompson, CEO of Business Energy Claims, admits it’s tough for businesses to know who to trust as they seek a competitive quote for their gas and electricity.
And following the release of the latest Cornwall Insight guide to the TPI space, revealing a doubling in its market size during the last decade, Callum sympathises with bosses bamboozled by the non domestic energy market.
“The increased saturation of energy brokers and consultants now makes it very difficult for a business to ascertain who to trust,” he explains.
“Without an understanding of a specific broker or consultant’s practices there isn’t an obvious way to identify who can be trusted.
“Businesses need to be confident that their broker or consultant is doing right by them and finding them the right energy deal. A very crowded market makes this very difficult.
“The crux of the matter is that there are trustworthy energy companies in the market. But the consumer needs to be clear about the fee structure and fees being charged along with the other essential information that would equip them to make better informed decisions.”
The Cornwall Insight guide — published annually and updated quarterly — suggests there may be more than 4,000 companies or individuals engaged in selling business energy contracts across the UK.
A buoyant sector is worth more than £525m in 2025 and there are no signs of a slowdown in business as TPIs continue to saturate the market.
“The value of the TPI market is eye watering and doesn’t appear to be subsiding, even with increased regulatory movement,” adds Callum.
“There are many TPIs looking to cash in at the expense of businesses across the UK. TPIs only need to secure a handful of clients to line their pockets quite substantially.
“The doubling in size of the TPI market demonstrates just how lucrative the sector is but, worryingly, its expansion will only add to the confusion for businesses across the UK.
“The non domestic energy market is complex enough with difficult buying decisions to be made on utilities usually occupying a large proportion of a companies’ overheads.
“Overlaid with that, these businesses are being targeted by thousands of energy companies often with conflicting comments and adding to the complexity.”
TPIs are responsible for negotiating the majority of business energy contracts for both small and medium enterprise (SMEs) and industrial and commercial (I&C) customers.
In 2024, TPI market revenues increased 18 per cent on the previous year. The SME sector drove most of this growth, contributing £335 million (a 24 per cent increase).
And although Callum and the BEC team appreciate the benefit of competition there’s an ongoing concern that rapid — and unregulated — market growth can leave businesses vulnerable.
“The energy market was opened up to create competition,” adds Callum. “The reality is that this has gone too far now.
“We have been consistent in saying that there is certainly room for competition in the energy market, providing the right advice and in a fair and transparent manner
“But our experience, particularly with this heightened market saturation, is that the unchecked advance of TPIs is negatively impacting businesses across the UK.
“We’re here to help those businesses find out whether they’ve fallen victim to unscrupulous brokers or consultants and, where necessary, help them to reclaim money they’re owed.”
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