How LinkedIn chat launched Hull business helping get green energy projects off the ground

In addition to securing specialist funding and grants for organisations to invest in reducing their carbon footprint, the company specialises in creating and implementing energy strategies, decarbonisation plans, low carbon feasibility studies, sustainable building designs, energy efficient retrofits and net zero schemes.

C3 Group also supports its clients, which include public sector organisations such as NHS trusts, education establishments and social housing schemes, as well as private developers, to embrace green energy solutions, low carbon technologies and sustainable practices.

The company was founded in 2022 by co-directors Daniel Haley and Ash Wray.

Mr Haley is also managing director of Hull headquartered building services engineering company, GW Power-Safe, which offers a range of renewable energy, mechanical and electrical solutions to public sector clients and businesses across all industries.

In recent years, GW Power-Safe has diversified into decarbonisation and the renewables sector.

Two years ago Mr Haley saw a post that Mr Wray had written on LinkedIn about building sustainability. After he messaged Mr Wray, who has a background in construction site management and is a chartered engineer, the pair met up in Hull and C3 Group, which is named in recognition of the three scopes of carbon emissions, was born.

C3 Group now employs a team of three sustainability consultants and designers and is now recruiting for more sustainability consultants, as well as both mechanical and electrical building services design engineers.

Mr Wray said: “From meeting Daniel two years ago and starting C3 Group, we’ve quickly grown into a leading sustainability consultancy with a superb track record of successfully navigating the Salix Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme Funding, which is designed to support public sector bodies in reducing their carbon footprint.

“The £24million that we’ve bid for in funding for our clients since January has largely been invested in NHS buildings, schools, colleges and social housing schemes throughout the UK, from the Scottish borders in the north to Plymouth in the south.

"We’ve also completed work on a district heating system in the North East that’s feeding approximately 1,000 homes and several large-scale battery storage developments, and continue to expand our portfolio of pioneering projects across the UK.

“As we celebrate our two year anniversary, which is a major milestone, we’re now looking forward to welcoming several new faces to our team in the coming months as we continue to grow both our client base and the areas we operate in.”

Mr Haley added: “Over the past few years GW Power-Safe had evolved into a renewables specialist but we were outsourcing the technical and consultancy side of the work and knew we needed to find a reliable and permanent partner business to work with. After meeting Ash, it was immediately apparent that we both shared the same vision and interests, as well as both having a passion for driving a greener and more sustainable future.

“We’ve enjoyed a successful two years and now that C3 Group and GW Power-Safe can provide a full turnkey, end-to-end solution, it gives us a compelling offering with both public and private sector clients, which makes it an exciting time for both businesses.”