Volunteering

Amazingly it was thirty years ago that I became actively involved with the Institute of Petroleum, one of the two legacy institutions that we merged to create the Energy Institute. Over those many years I have served in a wide range of voluntary roles... on Council, as a Vice President, and as Honorary Secretary, as well as chairing and sitting on committees of Council.

Some of you might think I’m a glutton for punishment but I'd like to explain why it’s been so worthwhile. From my perspective each of us needs to have three elements for our lifelong learning... a continued development of our technical knowledge, an increasing understanding of the organisation we work for, and a broadening understanding of our industry. It was this third element that brought me to our Institute.  I have had the opportunity to meet and learn from people in the many varied parts of our sector, to expand my awareness and understanding of technological advances, and to play a part in energy policy development. It has also both given me experience in chairing and influencing that has helped my career with other organisations, and has given me the opportunity to contribute to the work of the Institute. What’s more, it’s been fun!

When I joined the industry in 1979 it was a turbulent year with economic and geopolitical issues heavily driven by energy. It was also a period of extraordinary technical innovation and a very exciting time to be in the industry. Now, over 40 years later, I think the industry is going through another period of transformation that is every bit as exciting as when I joined, and even more important. The urgent need to decarbonise the energy system, whilst simultaneously making energy affordable for the many people who remain energy poor, is the critical driver for today and the next thirty years. We are seeing technical innovation across many energy sources and we’re going to need all of them.

As a volunteer, the Energy Institute gives members the opportunity to make a contribution to the wider energy transition whilst enhancing their ability to contribute to their own company’s initiatives. In my experience the best way to start is just to get involved... I did and have never regretted it!

Q. Tell us your background and how you became a member of the Energy Institute.

I started in energy management in 1986 when I joined Land Securities, and I believe I was probably just the second in-house energy specialist in the UK property sector. I took a MSc in Environmental Engineering at South Bank University and was sponsored to join the Institute by then-President.

Q. What motivated you to go the extra mile by volunteering with the EI?

I think I am a natural volunteer!  I have been a committee member of various sports clubs since I was 17 and was on the committee of the Central London Energy Management Group for over 20 years, serving as Secretary, Chairman and Treasurer.

Q. How did you first get involved with volunteering in the EI?

I began back in the 1990s by serving on the Educational & Technical Committee but then, about 15 years ago, the Institute was asking for people to support the membership process. So, I volunteered and, after receiving some training, was soon asked to participate in an interview.  I maybe did about ten before starting to act as lead interviewer.

Q. What specific roles have you played over your years of volunteering in the EI

I served on the technical committee for a number of years, although its name evolved over time, and of course I support the membership programme as an interviewer and, more recently, with the initial assessments. I started out with a focus on memberships and CEng but now also cover CEnv and the Energy Management side. I recently delivered training to the next cohort of volunteer interviewers and assessors. I was also one of many participants, in a small way, when the Institute played a part in developing ISO:50001

Q. How have the projects you worked on impacted the energy community and our cause as an organization?

I have been lucky enough to work principally for two large companies that have helped spearhead the built environment’s movement towards energy efficiency and low carbon. This led to my involvement with both UKGBC and the Better Buildings Partnership and I think that along with the EI that the knowledge sharing and collaborative nature of these organisations has helped further the cause of energy and sustainability.

Q. How has being a volunteer contributed to your personal and professional development?

As interviewers, we get to meet a range of candidates from across the world working in many different industries and facing varying political and economic challenges. It is fascinating to learn how they meet these challenges, and we also get to learn of new technologies and approaches.

Q. Any final thoughts or reflections you would like to share about your experience volunteering with the Energy Institute?

I enjoy it. Most of the candidates are interesting to talk to and you can offer as much or as little time as suits you, the EI doesn’t put any pressure on its volunteers.

Q. What would you say to someone considering volunteering with the EI?

Do it – all it costs you is a little bit of time but it broadens your own knowledge and you also get the satisfaction of knowing you are helping fellow professionals.

Thank you!

Q. Tell us your background and how you became a member of the Energy Institute.

I originally studied to become a Chemical Engineer without much enthusiasm before pursuing my dream career in Energy Management following completion of MSc Clean Technology. I’ve worked in various in-house and consultancy roles for over 20 years. I was lucky enough to be mentored by two EI members who shared their knowledge with me and imparted on me how invaluable membership to the EI was. I joined as a student member and have gained Chartered Energy Management status.

Q. How did you first get involved with volunteering in the EI?

I won the Energy Institute’s Energy Manager of the Year award in 2017 and realised I did actually have a lot of knowledge and experience that I wanted to use to mentor others.

Q. What specific roles have you played over your years of volunteering in the EI?

I have undertaken Chartered Energy Manager and Member applications. I also undertake interviews for ESOS register.

Q. How have the projects you worked on impacted the energy community and our cause as an organization?

I’ve worked on delivering energy reduction projects for over 20 years covering all kinds of energy management projects which have delivered significant carbon savings. My strength has been getting everyone I work with excited about energy management projects. The thing I am most proud is my involvement to mentor people at the start of their career journey. I established a Masters course in Sustainability in which I taught a module on Practical Sustainability. I am currently acting as supervisor for final year projects on a range of topics; from the carbon impact of feed on cows, changes soil management has on biodiversity to investigating the impact of COVID on energy and transport.

Q. What are some of the challenges you faced and how did you navigate through them?

When I initially wanted to work in the energy world, there were very few jobs and they all required energy management experience making a catch 22 situation! To overcome this, I volunteered through the Groundwork/Princes Trust scheme to get some experience. This still wasn’t enough! I then took jobs in the pharmaceutical industry and did everything I could to get involved in any sustainability projects whilst doing additional courses to top up my knowledge.  Thankfully my stubbornness paid off and I’ve had a career in energy and sustainability ever since. This really fired my passion to help others get their foot in the door.

Q. How has being a volunteer contributed to your personal and professional development?

I learn so much from the applications and interviews. Everyone has come into Energy Management from a different route, and I love finding out how people ended up in the role.

I was an assessor during two periods of maternity leave which helped me feel connected to the industry and made it less daunting on my return to work, as I felt like I’d kept up with the advances.

Q. What would you say to someone considering volunteering with the EI?

EI members have such a wealth of knowledge and experience it would be a shame not to share it with others!

Thank you!