As part of our 25th Anniversary celebrations, we are interviewing some of our amazing team members to highlight their unique contributions, celebrate their achievements and share their stories.
Laura, you’ve been with Energy & Utility Skills for an impressive 14 years now. How has that journey been for you?
It’s hard to believe it’s been 14 years—it’s flown by! So much has happened, and it’s been an incredible journey. After completing my law degree, I joined in late 2009 as a temp in EUSR, working as a Customer Support Coordinator.
I was offered a permanent contract at the beginning of 2010 and found myself gravitating towards HR. I enjoy working with people and have an interest in law, and HR combines these two areas perfectly. It’s also broader than law because you’re responsible for people’s welfare, making it a very varied role.
Eventually, I asked about gaining HR work experience, and the team was very supportive. Initially, I joined as a part-time HR administrator, balancing EUSR duties with supporting the HR team. As the company grew and the HR workload increased, I transitioned to a full-time HR role. The company then sponsored my Level 7 Diploma in HR Management – a significant but rewarding commitment.
From there, I progressed to my current role as HR Business Partner. The development opportunities here have been incredible. As the business has continued to evolve, the investment in my professional development has been substantial, which is why these 14 years have passed so quickly.
With such a varied role, what aspects do you enjoy most?
I enjoy being involved in so many different aspects of HR, whether it’s managing employee relations, leading wellbeing initiatives, or focusing on inclusion as part of our Ways of Working subgroup. There’s always something new and challenging. I particularly enjoy helping new colleagues grow within the company and supporting their career development. I also find it rewarding to continue embedding our performance management framework—not just to ensure colleagues meet our business priorities, but to help them grow as individuals. Learning and development, and how we can support that, are definitely highlights of my role.
What have been the biggest changes you’ve seen during your time here?
The biggest shift I’ve seen occurred in 2012 when the business became more commercially minded. This transformation prompted us to reassess our services and focus on what the industry truly needed. Despite this shift, our core values have stayed consistent, keeping our colleagues and clients at the heart of what we do.
COVID-19 also had a major impact, reshaping how we work. Adapting to a hybrid model was a big adjustment, but it’s made us more efficient and flexible.
It sounds like the company culture is something you value highly. How would you sum it up?
Absolutely, the company culture is what keeps me here. It’s warm, supportive, and collaborative. Despite all the changes, that culture has remained strong. Everyone here is passionate about our values, which makes it a great place to work. We’re very people-focused, and that’s something I truly appreciate.
Are there any particular projects or accomplishments you’re especially proud of?
I’m proud of my career development, particularly transitioning from an administrative role to HR professional. Completing my CIPD diploma was a significant achievement for me, especially since it was daunting at first. More recently, I’m proud to be leading our Inclusion Focus Group sessions, which focus on fostering a culture of respect and support. The feedback we gather is invaluable, and it’s rewarding to see how it continues to shape our future action plans.
How do you think Energy & Utility Skills contributes or has contributed to the wider community and industry?
We’ve always been committed to giving back, whether through apprenticeships, work experience, or volunteering. Now that we’re settled into our beautiful new office, I’m eager to expand our efforts with local schools and colleges, providing students with insights into the world of work. With more space and resources, it’s important that we contribute to the local community.
We’ve had apprentices who transitioned into permanent roles and students who return during breaks to help out, which shows how we nurture talent. Our flexible working policy also supports colleagues in balancing work with personal commitments, allowing for a healthy work-life balance.
Describe working for Energy & Utility Skills in three words.
Engaging, stretching, and rewarding.