Playing our part in the electric future: Meet Phil | Guernsey Electricity

Want to be part of the sustainable energy transition? Sign up for job alerts 

News & Blog
CATEGORIES

Playing our part in the electric future: Meet Phil

To give a feel of the sort of varied work we all get up to, we spoke to Phil Kilgour about his role and career so far.

How long have you worked for Guernsey Electricity?
Since July 2020.

How did you find yourself here? What has been your career path so far?
I saw the job advertised and thought what a fantastic opportunity to work for an organisation that has such an important role – to be solely responsible for importing, generating, and distributing electricity to Guernsey and being a part of the National Infrastructure. I was intrigued and wanted to understand more about what happened behind the scenes.

Previously, I worked in health and safety for Health and Social Care both as a Fire Safety Advisor and Head of Health and Safety. Prior to this I was 22 years employed in the Fire and Rescue Service in the UK as a Senior Officer, with part of my role being involved in the health and safety department. As well as taking command and control at incidents I was a Specialist Fire Investigation Officer and Subject Matter Advisor regarding terrorism incidents.

What are you responsible for?
The safe implementation of Guernsey Electricity’s safety and environmental policies, to ensure employees, contractors, visitors, and the public are as safe as they possibly can be!

What does a typical day look like for you?
Quick check of emails with a cup of tea to establish whether anything has been reported overnight - as we are operational 24 hours a day every day of the year. Usually followed by a site visit either at the power station site or elsewhere on the island to see our operational  teams and ensure that safety measures have been implemented. Catch up on project work which could mean audit checks on processes, review of documentation and risk assessments, update reports to our leadership team, accident/ incident investigation report on near misses/ incidents/ oil spills/ accidents, respond to enforcing agencies if required, monitor COVID-19 metrics and advice and respond accordingly. It’s really varied!


Do/did you need any qualifications?
I hold a level 5 Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety which is the industry expected standard for a HSE Manager

What do you enjoy most about your role at Guernsey Electricity?
Working alongside people where I feel part of a team that focuses on a common aim.

What excites you the most about the work?
Being able to manage my own workload and decide what takes priority, this allows me to have lots of job variation and satisfaction.

What do you think the best benefits that Guernsey Electricity offers are?
Flexible working conditions, the reward and recognition policy, employee discount at the shop and with our talented electricians (very helpful as I’m doing up my house) and of course the bonus scheme for performing employees!

What would you say to someone who’s interested in applying?
You’d be joining the company at a really exciting time, delivering the decarbonisation of the island as we move towards an increasingly electric future.

If you’re interested in joining us, visit our careers page here.