This month we're plugging into the world of communications at Guernsey Electricity.
What is your role at Guernsey Electricity?
I head up communications and engagement here at Guernsey Electricity, which means I oversee the team responsible for most of the communications messages and marketing activity you’ll see out and about - from your Facebook feeds to magazines, radio, and podcasts. I’ve been here for just over two years - time really does fly!
Guernsey presents a unique communications landscape to work within.
It’s a critical time for energy development at the moment, so I’ve been supporting our corporate strategy following the endorsement of the Electricity Strategy by the States of Guernsey in 2023.
Plus, it’s Guernsey Electricity’s 125th anniversary this year! That’s why you may have seen a few publications about our history; we’ve been reflecting on how the business has been striving to do the right thing for our island and how we can keep doing so into the future.
How does your job help keep the island running?
Guernsey Electricity needs to keep customers in the loop about what we’re doing and why. That’s why we need a team to tell you what’s going on.
Whether it’s closing a road to carry out essential upgrades and boost network capacity, or running a marketing campaign focused on ways to save money and reduce carbon emissions, we need to make sure people know the what, where – and importantly, the why.
It's also important to show people ‘behind the curtain’ and to be transparent about what’s going on. Everyone recognises the blue building and chimneys on the Bridge, but we also want to showcase some of the real people behind the lights- because ultimately, it’s our employees that help keep the island running.
2025 marks GEL’s 125th anniversary. How has GEL evolved in this time?
Change has been the only constant for us over the past 125 years. From electricity rationing during the occupation, hurricane forces in the 1980s, to the plans for decarbonisation, Guernsey Electricity has had to keep up
Since we’re on the subject of adapting, we’ve had to adapt to innovations in technology, the significant increases in electricity demand, and the ever-evolving way islanders use their electricity. Imagine how electricity was used in 1900 compared to 2025 and you can probably picture how much evolution took place to get to where we are today!
I’m personally really proud of the role our people have played to help Guernsey through the challenges and opportunities the decades have presented. Those people powered the move from coal-fired power generation to oil, they transferred the entire cable network underground, and more recently, oversaw the installation of the subsea cable that connects us to the European grid. Those initiatives are reflections of our core aim that connects all of us at GEL: providing a reliable, affordable electricity supply for our island. And we’ll continue to do so in the future.
What are some future milestones for GEL as we look to the next 125 years?
Electricity demand is predicted to increase exponentially in the coming years, and we need a plan to make sure we can meet this predicted demand.
The Electricity Strategy, approved by the States of Guernsey in 2023, gave us the direction we needed to begin the next important chapter in our evolution.
My hope is that in 25 years, we’ll have helped deliver the strategy’s vision – including a second subsea cable connection to the European grid. These subsea cables (or ‘interconnectors’) import low-carbon electricity into the island. They provide the security that we need to meet islander’s growing electricity demand, which means the supply of electricity is always there, whenever you need it. Our fossil-fuel power station in the Vale will then become a ‘back-up’ power source, with local renewable energy also playing a stronger role in our ‘on-island’ generation mix.
The next 25 years are set to bring even more change to Guernsey Electricity, as we help the island move towards a future of electrification.
As we welcome this change, like we did in past decades, we’ll need to adapt and embrace new technology. For us in the 21st Century, this includes using smart technology to help islanders manage ‘peak’ electricity demand, which is when lots of customers use electricity at the same time.
Want to dig deeper into our history? Read our recent Envoyage Magazine article here.
What other industries have you worked in?
Before returning to Guernsey, I spent 15 years working in different parts of the UK Civil Service. During this period my career included positions at the Ministry of Defence, the Prime Minister’s Office, the Cabinet Office and HM Revenue and Customs.
My posts here were mainly managing communications and working directly with UK government minsters on a regular basis.
What does a typical day (or week) look like for you?
My diary is usually made up of meetings across the business, discussing strategic matters with our Executive Directors, meeting with our external suppliers, and overseeing our social media activity.
I’m also part of GEL’s Business Leadership Team who oversee the operational day to day running of the business. We meet every week to collaborate on different activities.
What is your proudest achievement so far?
I’ve had an amazing first two years working at GEL, but one standout moment for me was being involved in the first ‘Powering Life for Less Show’ last September.
Here we brought together charities, voluntary groups and local businesses to share money saving techniques with over 250 islanders. It also brought staff together from across our different departments which created a real sense of comradery and togetherness.
We’ll be running the show again this year so keep your eyes peeled!
What was your dream job growing up?
I wanted to be a journalist – so it’s lucky I get to work with journalists in my current role!
Who inspires you the most?
I always knew it must be difficult juggling a professional career with raising another human being. Since becoming a father last year, my eyes have been opened to just how challenging this is! How single parents manage this I will never know. They work miracles and are truly inspirational.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Don’t be afraid to ask questions, particularly if you don’t understand something.
What are the best benefits offered by GEL in your opinion?
I love working here.
My colleagues are some of the most passionate and hardworking people I’ve ever had the pleasure of working with. Everyone is supportive and helpful, and it feels like you’re part of something genuinely important and worthwhile. Every day I know we're (GEL) making positive changes to Guernsey’s future.
My work is interesting and wide ranging. On any given day I could be working with a customer service agent, control room operator, HR business partner, a project manager and a generation engineer! It truly is a very diverse working environment.
Interested in a career at GEL? Click here to see our latest vacancies. Can't see the job for you? Sign up to receive our job alerts here.
Bonus question – who do you like to follow on LinkedIn and why?
I’ve always been impressed by people who can switch into a different career after dedicating themselves to something else for many years.
After being released by Arsenal’s academy, Thomas ‘Hal’ Robson-Kanu worked his way back as a professional footballer. He went on to play in the Premier League and scored an iconic goal for Wales against Belgium in Euro 2016.
After retiring he founded a business producing and selling Turmeric shots, which he credits helping him recover from injury during his pro career.
His posts cover his experiences as a professional athlete and as the owner of a start-up business, promoting a product that aims to improve the health of its customers. His journey is fascinating.
Last month we met Business Strategy Lead, Mat Desforges. Read Mat's Monthly Meets here.
If you'd like to read some more of our Monthly Meet interviews, click here.
