A Perseus Steering Group was convened on 2026-05-18. Co-chaired by Innovate Finance and Icebreaker One, the Perseus Steering Group includes major trade associations that represent stakeholders, UK Government and international observers. It plays a critical role in engagement, dissemination, and fostering trust in decision-making. 

Date: Monday 18 May 2026 13:00-15:00 BST

Location: online and in person

Co-Chairs: Gavin Starks (IB1); Adam Jackson (Innovate Finance)

Secretariat: IB1

Meeting Aims 

  1. Review the emergent use cases and Perseus as a proof point
  2. Agree on the go to market plan and addressable market
  3. How to engage FCA to turn greenwashing regulation into an opportunity
  4. Ensure our communications are consistent and reflect an agreed collective position

Summary:

  • It was agreed that:
    • Perseus should continue its focus on ‘doing one thing well’ in 2026: delivering 5 SME case studies by the end of 2026.
    • The Q3 meeting (July 27th) will act as a key checkpoint ahead of the November meeting to assess whether year-end case study delivery is on track.
    • ‘Perseus for Domestic’ should be explored in a contained way so it does not distract from the core SME focus.
    • SG members should increase communications activity on Perseus, with IB1 providing tailored support, with priority outreach to identified members.
  • It was noted that:
    • The Perseus member ecosystem now includes sufficient scope and reach to support an addressable market of over 1M UK SMEs.
    • At least one FSP is actively developing a higher-rate savings product tied to verified carbon intensity reductions: this is an example of live commercial product development within the membership.
    • Early FCA conversations are positive. IB1 has submitted a briefing note and will continue to engage.
    • Additional DOC members with governance or data expertise are requested.
  • It was discussed that:
    • Perseus could be extended into domestic property use cases, particularly aligned to warm homes, retrofit and open property data. This could provide a timely collaboration between the Open Property Data Association, Open Banking Limited, and Perseus.
    • A blurred line exists between domestic and business energy use for home-based and hybrid-working SMEs, and there will be sensitivities around data sharing.
    • Perseus supports different strategic and communications priorities, including energy security and affordability, resilience, transition planning, adaptation and cost-reduction.
    • The incentives for SMEs will vary based on their circumstances (e.g. cheaper finance, preserved access to capital, lower reporting burden, and combinations of these).

Next meeting: Monday 27 July 2026 13:00-15:00 BST

Formal records, including attendees, are maintained by the secretariat. 

These are confidential to the Steering Group Members.