EQ INVESTMENT SERVICES | APRIL 2026
Centrica Case Study
How Equiniti helped Centrica deliver its most ambitious,
inclusive and technology enabled employee share
ownership programme to date
Summary
Centrica, a leading FTSE 100 energy company with 21,000 colleagues including 6,800 engineers, has long been committed to building an ownership culture where every colleague can share in the company’s success. Through its Global Profit Share plan, Share Incentive Plan (SIP), and the high-profile relaunch of Sharesave in 2025, Centrica sought to empower its diverse and dispersed workforce with access to equitable long term savings opportunities and meaningful financial education.
To deliver this at scale, Centrica partnered with Equiniti to implement its most ambitious and inclusive employee share plan communications programme to date. Together we blended modern technology, multi-channel engagement, financial wellbeing expertise, and real time data insights. The result was a record breaking 42% Sharesave participation rate, exceptional colleague sentiment, and measurable cultural and behavioural change.
Challenges
Centrica faced a set of complex challenges ahead of one of the largest share plan engagement cycles in its history:
- Rebuilding participation after a five-year gap: Sharesave had been suspended in 2020 due to financial pressures, so the relaunch needed to restore confidence and re-educate colleagues.
- A dispersed, mixed access workforce: Thousands of engineers and field-based colleagues required mobile first, always available communications and education.
- Multiple key milestones in a single year: Profit Share vesting for 13,834 colleagues, Sharesave maturity, and a brand new Sharesave invitation, each requiring tailored guidance.
- Financial education gaps: Many colleagues were first time investors and unfamiliar with concepts such as CGT, ISAs, and hold vs sell decisions.
- A strong desire for inclusion and fairness: Centrica’s purpose; “energising a greener, fairer future” demanded a communication approach that reached every colleague equally.
Solution
Equiniti designed and delivered a fully integrated, digital first and behaviour focused solution to meet Centrica’s needs across three core pillars: Technology, Financial Education, and Fostering Ownership Culture.
Technology: A modern, mobile‑first experience
To ensure all colleagues had equal access:
- A dedicated microsite was developed as a single source of truth, with interactive tools, video explainers, maturity maps, FAQs, and CGT calculators.
- A Sharesave app ensured shift workers and field-based colleagues could participate easily while on the move.
- Branding and messaging were kept consistent across digital, print and in person channels to build trust and familiarity.
- Real time site analytics and participation data allowed targeted engagement wherever uptake lagged.
Financial Education: Confidence through clarity
Financial education was embedded from day one to demystify share ownership:
- WEALTH at Work delivered 27 webinars and 150+ in person consultations, helping colleagues understand their options in plain language.
- Interactive digital tools allowed employees to model tax implications, explore maturity outcomes and compare choices.
- Manager led discussions, videos and written guides supported all learning preferences.
The result was dramatically improved understanding and confidence across the workforce, with colleagues praising the clarity and accessibility of the materials.
Fostering Ownership: Culture, inclusion and advocacy
Centrica’s senior leadership played an active role throughout:
- The Chief People Officer featured in explainer videos to demonstrate visible support.
- Sharesave was relaunched with more inclusive contribution thresholds, making it accessible to all income groups.
- The Global Profit Share scheme continued to share 2% of pre-tax profits equally among all colleagues, with free share awards explicitly linked to absence reduction, saving the company £3 million annually.
- Colleague feedback was overwhelmingly positive, reinforcing that the offers were valued and understood.
Sharesave 2025 has been a fantastic opportunity for colleagues to show their support for Centrica and share in the financial benefits. The response has been overwhelming.
— Karen Gaynor, Head of Reward – Reward, Benefits & Wellbeing (Centrica)
Results
Our partnership with Centrica delivered exceptional, measurable outcomes across these areas:
Record breaking participation
- 42% Sharesave participation, more than double the 20% achieved in 2020.
- Participation was strong across all pay bands and job types.
High confidence in long term ownership
- 99.5% of maturing participants exercised their option.
- Only 26.4% sold immediately; many retained shares or transferred into ISAs, demonstrating long term thinking.
Cultural and behavioural impact
- Profit Share vests reached 13,834 colleagues, with 80% choosing to keep their shares.
- Extensive colleague comments praised Sharesave, SIP, and wider benefits, showing improved sentiment and loyalty.
Technology engagement
- Thousands of colleagues accessed the microsite and app tools, with high engagement across videos, guides and calculators.
Wellbeing and inclusion outcomes
- 27 financial education webinars and extensive 1‑to‑1 guidance sessions improved confidence and support for first‑time investors.
- Data‑led communications ensured no colleague group was left behind.
Talk to Our Share Plans Experts
Equiniti supports organisations in delivering inclusive, technology‑enabled and education‑driven share ownership programmes that strengthen culture, enhance financial wellbeing and maximise participation.
To discuss how we can support your next plan launch, maturity or communications campaign, please contact our Share Plans team