Powering a Fairer Future: Calisen’s Real Living Wage Commitment 

Our journey to becoming a Real Living Wage Employer

We began paying the Real Living Wage in January 2024, with a clear ambition: to ensure everyone contributing to our business earns a wage that meets the realities of everyday life.

Following a rigorous independent audit, we were officially accredited by the Living Wage Foundation six months later.

Reflecting on this journey, our Chief People Officer, San Johal, said: “One of the most important steps for me was to review pay and ensure our people were receiving the Real Living Wage. This is particularly meaningful in places like Wigan, where we know there are challenges around employment opportunities, poverty and health outcomes. Our step up to being a Living Wage employer is about doing the right thing - and making a real difference to our people and their communities.”

This milestone was later marked by a proud moment for Calisen, as San was presented with our Real Living Wage plaque by Andy Burnham at the Foundation’s annual conference.

But the real achievement isn’t the plaque, it’s the impact this commitment has on our people.

Why the Real Living Wage matters

The Real Living Wage is the only UK wage rate based on the actual cost of living. Independently calculated and updated annually, it reflects what people need to cover essentials - from weekly food shops to unexpected expenses.

This is what sets it apart from the government’s National Living Wage.

At Calisen, we believe that if someone contributes to our success, they should be paid fairly for it. That’s why we uplifted all employees previously on the statutory minimum, and extended this commitment to third-party colleagues too, including cleaners and security staff.

Today, 890 of our employees benefit directly from the Real Living Wage.

Supporting our people and our communities

Our commitment doesn’t just support individuals -it has a ripple effect across the communities we serve.

With strong roots in Wigan and Manchester, we understand the challenges many local areas face, including income inequality and access to stable employment. By ensuring fair pay, we’re helping to put more money back into local economies, supporting families, local businesses, and long-term community wellbeing.

Fair pay in a changing energy landscape

Calisen plays a vital role in the UK’s transition to a smarter, cleaner energy system.

With around 1,500 colleagues nationwide, including over 1,000 skilled installers, our people are at the heart of this transformation. From installing smart meters to taking meter reads and supporting customers in their homes, they are helping households better understand and manage their energy use.

These are skilled, essential roles and they deserve fair pay.

As the energy system evolves, we believe the jobs it creates should be high-quality, well-paid, and sustainable. Our Real Living Wage commitment is a key part of that vision.

Looking ahead

We’re incredibly proud of this milestone - but we see it as just one step in a much bigger journey.

As we continue to grow and support the UK’s energy transition, we remain focused on creating a workplace where people feel valued, supported, and fairly rewarded for the work they do.

Because powering a better future isn’t just about energy. It’s about people.