The Times Tech Podcast Bonus episode: The ‘secret sauce’ of success - With Octopus Energy CEO, Greg Jackson
12 snips
Feb 9, 2026 
Greg Jackson, co-founder and CEO of Octopus Energy and creator of Kraken software, talks about building modern utility software from a failed game designer past. He recounts spotting 'spaghetti stacks', scaling Kraken to handle massive data, and why separating Kraken unlocks global licensing. He also reflects on financial resilience, leadership in uncertainty, and plans for a future listing.
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The Problem Of Spaghetti Stacks
- Jackson describes legacy corporate systems as 'spaghetti stacks' built from decades of sedimentary layers.
- Replacing that with a single modern stack can enable rapid innovation and simpler operations.
Hedging Enabled Crisis Opportunity
- Greg foresaw wholesale gas price rises and had hedged ahead, which preserved Octopus's resilience.
- That position let Octopus acquire failing rivals like Avro and Bulb during the crisis.
Be Bold In Crisis To Scale
- When your business is strongest in a crisis, ask investors for funding to act boldly and acquire struggling competitors.
- Treat crises as opportunities to scale while rivals weaken.