Flint Bishop announces acquisition and opens new Welsh office

UK law firm Flint Bishop has announced the acquisition of Rebel Energy’s Collections & Recoveries team, following the renewable energy supplier’s entry into administration.

The move will see 25 former Rebel Energy employees join Flint Bishop on 12th May 2025, coinciding with the launch of the firm’s new regional office in Swansea, South Wales. This expansion brings the firm’s total headcount to 338. The Swansea office will serve as a key operational hub for Flint Bishop’s debt recovery services, with a strategic focus on developing a full-service commercial law offering.

Rebel Energy, which provided renewable energy to approximately 90,000 customers, ceased trading earlier this month. The company’s collapse prompted Ofgem to initiate its Supplier of Last Resort (SoLR) process, transferring customer accounts to British Gas. Flint Bishop acted swiftly, engaging in discussions within hours of the Administration announcement to offer employment opportunities to affected staff.

The newly acquired team will be led by Steven Bengough and includes three Team Leaders, 20 Recoveries Specialists, and a Quality Assurance Analyst.​ Many team members bring prior experience from the outsourced debt collection industry, particularly in working with vulnerable customers—making them a strong strategic fit for Flint Bishop’s growing Litigation and Debt Services division.​

Flint Bishop credited its internal Recruitment, HR, IT, and Operational teams for mobilising quickly to make the expansion possible, including the provision of a new office environment and the alignment of systems and training resources.

Qamer Ghafoor, Chief Executive at Flint Bishop, said “This strategic acquisition not only strengthens our capabilities within Litigation and Debt Services but also reinforces our commitment to supporting talent and investing in long-term growth. Welcoming this experienced team at a time of considerable employment uncertainty reflects the resilience and agility we’ve built as a business.”

“As we continue to expand our national footprint, Flint Bishop remains committed to continuous improvement, innovation, and delivering exceptional service for our clients, whilst creating meaningful opportunities for our colleagues and the communities we serve.”​