Q: Tell us your background and when you first became interested in energy?
A: Although I was born in Yorkshire, I grew up in Cyprus, and this was where I first became aware of energy generation and storage, with the prevalence of solar hot water systems on the roofs of rural buildings (which lacked access to mains gas for heating, hot water and cooking at the time). Unknowingly I was becoming familiar with renewable energy generation as part of a standard domestic installation, something which became even more commonplace when I later moved to mid-Wales and became involved with the Centre for Alternative Technology, where my father worked.

Q: How did you first hear about the Energy Institute and what motivated you to join?
A: Becoming chartered was something I had meant to do for a while, following years of completing business resource efficiency and energy audits. It was the lead-up to ESOS (Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme) Phase 1 that pushed me to go for it. It was clear back in early 2014 that ESOS Lead Assessors would be in short demand for the first phase, and it would be a really valuable resource for us to have in-house at my employer Inteb. I joined the Energy Institute and became a Charted Energy Manager and ESOS Lead Assessor at the same time, and still hold these qualifications to this day.

[Editor’s note: It is no longer possible to apply for both of these qualifications simultaneously; instead, to become an ESOS Lead Assessor you need to have joined the Energy Efficiency Experts register, which also requires you to be chartered in a relevant discipline.]

Q: Tell us about your current job and industry, and how your work is contributing towards a just transition to net zero?  
A: I am now the Managing Director at Inteb, where I have worked for over 13 years. We are energy and sustainability consultants with a multi-disciplinary team. Since my move into the role of MD I am also responsible for developing and executing our strategic plans, whilst setting the company’s overall direction and vision with input from the other members of the management team, which is a really exciting change for me.

Q: How has being Chartered and an MEI benefitted you in your career? 
A: I feel I have benefitted hugely from being part of a chartered institution and wider energy community, and in particular following a more formal CPD (continuing professional development) process which encourages me to learn about core subjects in more detail, and expand my knowledge into other areas that I had perhaps not explored previously during my academic or working career.

Aside from making me carry out formal training (for example, SECR – Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting Regulation), which is something that can stagnate as you take on more senior roles within a business, it has allowed me to focus on subjects that are of general interest but which I know will contribute towards my position as a Chartered Energy Manager and my CPD hours, such as renewable energy procurement. Without this ‘prompt’ I’m sure that CPD would drop down the importance list.

Q: Please describe your approach to advising customers about energy?
A: I will openly admit that I am unashamedly still banging the drum for good old fashioned energy efficiency, in a world that is constantly getting distracted by shiny new tech and buzzwords (hydrogen, CCS (carbon capture and storage) and net zero itself) when, if we adopt principles that have been around for many decades, we would be in a much better position than we are currently from a UK and global perspective.

An incessant focus on energy efficiency, and making more with less, is essential if we are to accelerate a just global energy transition to net zero and sits well alongside other more glamorous solutions. Ultimately, I, and we as Inteb, have an important part to play in the bigger picture by ensuring that energy efficiency remains a standing item on every business agenda, as there is no better way to balance cost savings and climate impact in today’s business.

The views and opinions expressed in this article are strictly those of the author only and are not necessarily given or endorsed by or on behalf of the Energy Institute.

If you are keen to follow in Tom’s footsteps, click through to become a Member of the Energy Institute (MEI), or apply to become a Chartered Energy Manager.