Hi Michael, what is the Consumer Consent Service, and why does it matter?
Consumer consent is the key to unlocking smart, seamless access to new or existing retail energy services. It gives people the confidence and control to share their data safely, in ways that save money and carbon.
The Consumer Consent Service (CCS) aims to make that process transparent and straightforward, with a sharp focus on user experience. It’s built with consumers front and centre at every step. By facilitating secure, informed data sharing, the service will help strengthen trust in the retail energy market and accelerate digital transformation across the sector.
In short, we’re putting the core elements in place for a secure, consumer-first solution to how consent is managed—one that works for everyone.
The programme has now entered mobilisation—what does that mean, and why is it important?
Mobilisation sets the programme in motion. It’s where we lay the foundations to make sure delivery gets off to a strong start and stays on track. In this early phase, we’re implementing the essentials—governance, stakeholder engagement, communications, and requirements gathering—for clear, confident execution.
This is especially crucial for a complex, cross-sector programme that connects with wider industry initiatives such as the Smart Secure Electricity Systems’ Tariff Interoperability Standard, the National Energy System Operator’s Data Sharing Infrastructure Pilot, and Elexon’s Flexibility Market Asset Register.
Mobilisation brings structure, coordination, and alignment across all these moving parts—so we’re not just ready to begin, but are properly equipped to deliver.
How are we shaping the programme through stakeholder collaboration?
To make sure the programme reflects real-world needs and draws on industry insight, Ofgem has set up three dedicated industry working groups. These groups play an advisory role, guiding our decisions during consultation and design and ensuring the service is shaped with users and industry in mind. Here’s how the groups are structured:
- Security, Technical & Design Group: Shaping a secure, scalable, user-centric solution
- Implementation & Governance Group: Supporting practical delivery and compliance with regulatory frameworks
- Consumer Protection & Accessibility Group: Making sure the service works for all consumers, especially those who are vulnerable, underserved, or digitally excluded
These working groups are essential in helping us strike the right balance between consumer empowerment, operational feasibility, and regulatory assurance.
Plus, this collaborative foundation is critical to the programme’s success. As Ofgem highlights:
Ofgem are pleased to have appointed RECCo as the delivery body for the consumer consent solution — their track record of delivery in the retail sector gives us confidence that the consumer consent solution will achieve positive consumer outcomes. This initiative will be built around the needs of consumers, with transparency, collaboration, and expert input at its core.
By engaging expert working groups and drawing on best practices, RECCo will deliver a trusted solution that meets the evolving needs of the energy market and its consumers.
Linsay Jones, Policy & Strategy, Ofgem
How are we setting the programme up for success?
Since Ofgem’s formal decision, we’ve been working closely together to lay the groundwork for successful delivery. While RECCo is now leading the programme, Ofgem remains actively involved, particularly in licence changes, impact assessments, and regulatory oversight.
Several key mobilisation activities are already underway, including:
- Establishing the core project team
- Setting up the governance framework
- Developing a detailed mobilisation delivery plan
- Creating a central programme hub on the REC Portal to serve as a single source of truth for updates, documents, and outputs
- Building a shared understanding of anticipated use cases for initial deployments, which is helping to shape the high-level requirements
Each phase is shaped through stakeholder engagement, industry expertise, and regulatory oversight to ensure the Consumer Consent Service is robust, customer-focused, and future-ready. Here’s our indicative timeline.
How can stakeholders stay informed and get involved?
We’re creating new channels to help stakeholders stay updated and connected throughout the programme.
- Setting up a dedicated hub on the REC Portal regularly updated with programme news, timeline updates, working group outputs, and upcoming decisions and activities
- Distributing a regular Consent Matters digital newsletter to share milestone highlights, working group insights, and other key developments
- Updating our dedicated Consumer Consent Service web page with practical information
- Providing a direct contact route for questions via consumerconsent@retailenergycode.co.uk
About Michael Walsh
Michael joined RECCo in March 2025 and is the Project Manager for the Consumer Consent Service. He brings over 14 years’ experience delivering transformational change across financial services and the public sector, with a strong track record in digital innovation, customer-focused improvements, and operational efficiency.
Proficient in agile and waterfall delivery, Michael has led complex programmes from strategy through to implementation. Known for his collaborative approach and commitment to transparency, he’s passionate about turning vision into real-world impact.
Since joining RECCo, Michael Walsh has played a central role in mobilising the Consumer Consent Service and driving its early progress.
