This year BiU became Sustainable Energy First, to reflect the utility consultancy's renewed focus on supporting British business to achieve a positive climate impact.

The company, based in Lytham St Annes, says it is committed to steps far beyond a typical “rebrand”. It is repurposing the business on the proposition that the effects of climate change cannot be reversed, but they can be arrested. It says there is still time to make change and sustainability is the sensible economic choice and the wise ethical choice.

It has set up sustainability goals and invested in services that will accelerate clients' moves towards zero carbon emissions. Its mission is to become a sustainability change-maker.

The company is also committed to reducing its own carbon footprint. It is setting a science-based emissions reduction target this year, in-line with the World Resources Institute's Science Based Targets initiative.

BiU was set up in the 1990s with the mission to do things differently. Clients and staff have stayed with the company for decades. Six people in the team of 114 have notched up 15 years with the company and 57 have reached five-year milestones. Long-service awards range from a weekend away to a two-week holiday, all expenses paid.

The company credits its people culture with making the workplace so special and honours all small acts of kindness that contribute to the working environment through its peer-to-peer recognition scheme. Colleagues nominate each other for merit points and the winners are rewarded with vouchers worth between £20 and £150.