About me

• Service Manager at People Powered Retrofit
• Studied: BSc (Hons) Environmental Management and Sustainability, 2013
• Contact me on LinkedIn

About my career

After graduating I took a position with Environmental Recourses Management (ERM) in their Aberdeen office. I did 6 months as an administrator and then transitioned to a consultant role. I got the job through contacts I made in the company while temping as an admin in their Manchester office during the summer breaks between my first and second year, and my second and third year.

I worked for ERM as a generalist EHS consultant for 5 years. The role was very interdisciplinary - I worked on projects including compliance auditing, legal register compilation and updates, environmental permitting, EHS management systems, carbon footprinting, and ESOS compliance.

Skills needed included very good IT skills (particularly Excel, Word, and PowerPoint), data analysis, client relationship management, time management and mentoring of more junior consultants.

I am currently on the Service Management Team for People Powered Retrofit, a member owned co-operative helping Greater Manchester householders plan, procure and quality assure the installation of energy efficiency improvements to building fabric and services.

I absolutely love working directly for householders, rather than corporate clients as I can see the direct impact. We help people make their home comfortable whilst reducing carbon emissions as they reduce their reliance on fossil fuels. We also have a role in advising government and other similar organisations.

To make the move into the industry, after obtaining my degree, I completed a Post Graduate Diploma in Sustainability and Adaptation in the Built Environment from the Centre for Alternative Technology as I needed to understand the technical aspects of retrofit and got some hands on experience of working with different materials.

The BSc from MMU gave me a great understanding of Environmental issues, Climate Science, and a good introduction to academic research which has been important in my role at ERM, my PGDip and my current role. The degree covered a wide range of topics and gave a very good base knowledge of different systems, from geo-environmental to Environmental Management Systems. Furthermore, the skills I developed such as research skills, communication through presentations and reports, data analysis and a multi-disciplinary approach to environmental issues have been essential to my career progression.

Since completing my undergraduate degree I have continued developing my skills and I have obtained a Post Graduate Diploma in Sustainability and Adaptation in the Built Environment from CAT, CarbonLite, Retrofit from the AECB, Level 3 Award in Training and Education. I have also continued expanding on my knowledge through various CPD programmes while at ERM and Carbon Co-op including Health and Safety and Environmental auditor training and PDRs on specific construction and retrofit topics.

My top tip for students

Ask around! I got my current role by asking a guest lecturer at CAT how to get a job like hers. She recommended I contact Carbon Co-op as I was living in Manchester, and they happened to have a suitable role open.

Have a think about what is important to you, do you want to work for corporate or private clients, what would feel like success for you, do you want to work on the front line or behind the scenes.

I’m inspired by

Working in a team of like-minded people to solve real-life problems and improve people’s lives, while reducing reliance on fossil fuels and reducing carbon.

Why I love Manchester Met

The commitment from the teaching staff - they were always available to discuss assignments and have wider discussions.

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