What is your role at Guernsey Electricity?
I am 1 of 7 Control Room Operators here at GEL.
How does your job help keep the island running?
My shift team consists of a Shift Engineer, a Shift Technician and me as the Control Room Operator (CRO). Together, we play a key role in maintaining a safe, reliable electricity supply for the island.
As the team's CRO, I'm responsible for bringing any of our 10 generators online when required, helping to restore power during outages, and ensuring islanders have access to a continuous, on-demand electricity supply.
I also monitor electricity imports via our 60MW subsea cable, record half-hourly readings from substations across the island, and work closely with our Distribution team to ensure they can carry out work safely within our substations.
In addition, I oversee the performance of equipment across our power stations and substations, from pumps and transformers to site and substation CCTV systems, helping to keep our network operating safely and efficiently.
Watch Robbie's interview with TheList.gg where he talks about shift work life
What other industries have you worked in?
I joined the Army at 18 as an Infantry Soldier and had the opportunity to work in a variety of locations around the world, including the Falkland Islands, Canada, Kenya and Belfast.
After leaving the Army, I joined Jaguar Land Rover, where I started in engine manufacturing before moving into a Quality Control role.
I then transitioned into the telecommunications industry, developing specialist expertise in legacy copper networks, coaxial cable systems and, eventually, fibre-optic technology.
My experience with fibre networks ultimately brought me to Guernsey, where I worked for Sure, supporting the island's transition from copper-based infrastructure to a modern fibre network.
What does a typical day (or week) look like for you?
I like to start my day with a cold shower or, when I can, a sea swim.
Outside of work, I enjoy reading, drawing and painting, and I currently attend a life drawing class every Wednesday. I've recently returned to Jiu Jitsu and train twice a week.
I also own a boat, which takes up a lot of my spare time and is currently moored in St Sampson's. It's the perfect location after an early shift, as I can be in Herm within 15 minutes of finishing work or out fishing and hopefully catching my dinner!
When I'm not on the water, I enjoy cooking, fishing from both the shore and the boat, gaming, going to the gym, and travelling whenever I get the opportunity. Last year, I travelled to Japan with two friends I served with in the Army. It was an amazing experience and somewhere I'd highly recommend visiting. I also spent around 10 days driving through France, which was another fantastic trip.
What is your proudest achievement so far?
I've been fortunate to achieve several things in my life that I'm proud of, but my greatest achievement would have to be serving my country. It's an experience I still reflect on regularly, and I take great pride in what I accomplished during my time in the Army.
A close second would be restoring my boat. When I bought it, it was in a pretty poor state and I had absolutely no experience with boat restoration. Over the course of about a year, I completely rewired it, replaced the engine and controls, repainted it, replaced the deck and seating, and ultimately got it seaworthy again.
I enjoyed the project so much that I started a YouTube channel to document the restoration and share my boating adventures around Guernsey. It's been a great way to combine my passion for boating with learning new skills and connecting with others who share the same interest.
If you'd like to follow along with my boating adventures, you can find me on YouTube Here!
Another aspect of my life that I'm particularly proud of is leading many of the tours of our power station. It's a privilege to be able to show people how the island's electricity supply is generated and maintained, and I enjoy sharing an insight into an industry that most people don't get to see first-hand. Being trusted to represent the business in that way is something I find both rewarding and humbling.
What was your dream job growing up?
Growing up, I always knew I wanted to join the military. My dad served for more than 15 years and has always been my biggest role model. I have immense respect for him, and I would consider myself a lucky man if I became even half the man he is.
As a child, I loved listening to his stories about military life, and they inspired me from a young age. Hearing about his experiences made me want to follow a similar path, and I always pictured myself serving in the military when I was older.
I actually joined the RAF cadets as an early teenager in the hopes to become a Pilot, which didn’t work out.
What is the most unusual thing about your job and how would you describe it to someone who knows nothing about it?
Although it's a very rare scenario, if the island were ever to experience a complete power outage, it would be our generation team's responsibility to restore the electricity supply. We would start and manage the output of our engines to bring power back to the island.
It's the part of my role that I find most fascinating, and perhaps a little humbling, given the level of responsibility involved.
Knowing that the island is relying on us is a huge responsibility, but I have a great deal of confidence in the training, procedures and support systems we have in place to ensure we can respond effectively when needed.
If you could swap jobs with anyone for a day who would it be and why?
If I could do any job for a day, it would probably be something in Formula 1. Whether that was being a driver or even part of a pit crew, I'd love the opportunity to experience it. The level of skill, teamwork and precision involved is incredible, and I'm a little envious of everyone who gets to be part of it.
That said, I genuinely enjoy what I do now. If I had to stay within my industry, I'd be fascinated to see how my role operates on a much larger scale, such as in a nuclear power plant. Seeing the complexity and responsibility of power generation in that environment would be a fantastic experience.
Who inspires you the most?
Both of my parents are a huge inspiration to me. They've been married for 37 years and have built a wonderful life together. Their hard work, commitment and support for our family are qualities I've always admired.
My sister is also incredibly inspiring. She has been married for 12 years, is raising four children, and recently graduated from university after deciding to return to education. To achieve all of that while raising a family is remarkable, and it's something I have a great deal of respect for. The same goes for her husband, who has supported her every step of the way.
Family means a great deal to me, and having such positive role models around me is something I never take for granted.
What advice would you give your younger self?
I'd still tell my younger self to join the military. While the transition back to civilian life can be challenging at times, the skills I gained, the experiences I had, and the people I met along the way have been invaluable and continue to shape who I am today.
I'd also tell myself that life doesn't necessarily get easier, but you do become stronger and wiser.
Over time, you learn to focus your energy on the things you can control and let go of those you can't. That's a lesson that's served me well both personally and professionally.
What are the best benefits offered by GEL in your opinion?
One of the things I enjoy most about my role is the shift pattern. I see it as a real benefit, as it allows people to step away from work, recharge, and return focused and refreshed for their next set of shifts.
Our rota operates on a six-week cycle, consisting of four weeks on shift followed by a two-week standdown period. Having that dedicated time away from work provides a great balance and helps maintain wellbeing while ensuring we're ready to carry out our responsibilities effectively.
It also gives me the freedom to spend more time doing the things I enjoy, whether that's reading, boating, sea swimming, fishing, travelling, or simply making the most of island life.
Bonus question – who do you like to follow on LinkedIn and why?
To be honest, I don't follow any influencers, celebrities or public figures in particular (other than Lewis Hamilton). Most of the people I interact with on social media are colleagues from GEL, former military friends, and people I've met throughout my career.
I tend to use social media more to stay connected with friends and keep up with what's going on in their lives than to follow any specific personalities.
