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.
Tell us about your experience working with Energy & Utility Skills.
I joined Energy & Utility Skills in 2011, and I can’t believe it’s been 13 years—they’ve flown by! When I first came on board, my role as Head of HR was focused on building the HR function from the ground up—implementing processes, systems, and upskilling, and here I am over a decade later.
The main reason I’ve stayed is the organisation itself. Energy & Utility Skills has had to adapt and remain agile in response to changes in the skills environment, such as the loss of core skills funding from the government. That was a pivotal moment for us, as it required us to transition from delivering publicly funded contracts to becoming a customer focused business. It’s been quite the journey, but I’m proud to have been part of it.
Over the years, my role has evolved to Director of People and Organisational Development, which has allowed me to contribute to the sector on a much broader scale. One of the highlights has been working on inclusion across the sector. It’s been a great opportunity to impact in this area whilst experiencing personal growth and positive stretch.
What do you like most about working for Energy & Utility Skills?
For me, the standout is the opportunity for growth—personally and as an organisation. From starting with a rewrite of the company handbook, to fundamentally shifting our values and culture to the business we are today. This journey of change has been a real team effort, with colleagues across the organisation shaping the values to reflect our vision and strategic objectives. This alignment is now evident in how we operate both internally and externally.
The organisation is very supportive of development. Some time ago, I was sponsored to complete my ILM Certificate in Executive Coaching and Mentoring, and the business provided a significant amount of support and time to meet the qualification requirements, including coaching inside and outside the company. It’s this kind of encouragement that makes me proud to work here. I’m also afforded the time to represent the industry on strategic forums including the Industry Leaders Group at the Royal Academy of Engineering and the Tackling Inclusion, Diversity and Equity (TIDE) taskforce.
What have been the biggest changes you’ve seen during your time here?
The most significant change was our transition from government funding to becoming a customer focused business. This transformation required us to adapt quickly and ensure we were fully customer-driven. While the transition had challenges, it’s made us much more agile and responsive to our customers’ needs.
Another significant change has been our work around our company culture and values, ensuring they aligned with our strategy. This wasn’t just about words on a page; it was about embedding those values into everything we do and seeing them come to life in our work.
Describe working for Energy & Utility Skills in three words:
If I had to pick three words to describe working here, they would be agile, inclusive, and impactful. But we’re also customer-focused, supportive, and challenging in the best way possible. This is where you’re constantly growing, and can have a significant impact on the sector.
