Who Owns British Gas

British Gas is wholly owned by Centrica plc, a FTSE 100–listed energy and services company based in Windsor, Berkshire in the UK. British Gas operates under the trading names British Gas Trading Limited and several associated subsidiaries, all of which fall under the Centrica umbrella. Although British Gas is the familiar consumer-facing name, the real decision-making power and strategic direction come from its parent company.

A Brief History of Ownership

The British Gas brand has deep roots dating back to the early nineteenth century, originally established as the Gas Light and Coke Company. For much of the twentieth century, British Gas was a public utility until the privatisation movement of the 1980s under the UK government. In 1997, British Gas plc was demerged into separate entities. Centrica took on the retail, services and gas trading operations, while other parts of the business evolved into separate infrastructure and exploration companies. Since then, Centrica has remained the sole owner of the British Gas brand and is responsible for supplying gas and electricity to millions of customers throughout the UK.

Centrica’s Role and Market Position

Centrica is a major player in the energy market, both in the UK and internationally. As the parent company of British Gas, it oversees everything from energy supply to home services and smart technology products. Centrica also owns several other subsidiaries and operates in areas such as energy trading and business energy solutions. British Gas continues to hold a significant share of the UK energy supply market, particularly in gas, though recent years have seen increased competition from newer suppliers offering digital-first services. Despite this, British Gas remains one of the most recognised and widely used brands for domestic energy and boiler servicing.

Leadership and Governance

Centrica is led by a board of directors and senior executives who are responsible for steering the business in line with market demands, regulatory requirements and shareholder expectations. Chris O’Shea is currently the Chief Executive Officer of Centrica and plays a key role in the strategy and public direction of British Gas. The company has recently focused on improving customer service, restoring trust and responding to growing environmental concerns by investing in low-carbon solutions. Like many large utilities, it faces public scrutiny around pricing, executive pay and how it treats vulnerable customers, especially during periods of economic uncertainty or rising energy prices.

Why Ownership Matters

Knowing that Centrica owns British Gas is important for customers, landlords and tradespeople alike. While day-to-day interactions, contracts and services are delivered under the British Gas name, the policies, pricing structures and corporate responsibility decisions come from Centrica. Understanding this structure helps consumers identify where accountability lies and why decisions such as tariff changes, customer service policies or investment in infrastructure are made at a group level. It also clarifies the relationship between the brand customers see on their bills and the listed company that answers to shareholders and regulators.