I support social landlords to develop the business case for retrofit, identify appropriate stock and assess the potential energy performance. I also lead on development of digital tools to support our work.

What I do at Energiesprong UK

I joined the team in 2018 and work closely with the rest of the team on technical and digital challenges. I work closely with social landlords to build a long-term business case for retrofit, identify suitable properties and estimate the potential energy performance.

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This involves everything from developing digital tools to support the business case, browsing Google Satellite View to identify which properties have conservatories, to reviewing resident energy bills. I have been involved in a number of our projects from conception to completion and have a good grasp of the challenges that we face in delivering retrofit at scale.

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What I did before Energiesprong UK

I studied chemistry (degree) and physics (PhD) at the University of Bristol and decided a career in academia or industrial research was not for me. In 2008, with climate action in the headlines (UK Climate Change Act, G8 meeting, Live 8), renewable energy and energy efficiency was a logical next step.  

For the next several years I worked on community energy projects and was one of the Directors of Easton Energy Group (Bristol) when they secured Green Deal Communities funding for neighbourhood-scale deep retrofit in East Bristol.

I moved to Bioregional in 2014, as their Energy Innovation Manager, working on community, local authority and corporate advisory projects. This London-based charity is best known for its role in BedZED, the UK’s first large-scale eco-village.  

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My biggest achievement

I’ve used my house as a retrofit sandbox. It’s been really useful to have direct experience of the technologies I’m advising people to install. My house is now fully electrified, with a heat pump, solar panels and battery and I’m on my second major renovation, adding external wall insulation to the front. One more to go to sort out the back, then I’m done (maybe)!