What is your role at Guernsey Electricity?
I recently became Business Improvement Lead, where I have the privilege of leading a fantastic team focused on helping Guernsey Electricity continuously improve the way we work.
We work alongside colleagues from across the business to understand challenges, identify opportunities and deliver meaningful change. Sometimes that's through improving a process, introducing new technology or supporting major transformation programmes, but it always starts with one simple question:
"What problem are we trying to solve?"
For me, business improvement isn't about changing things for the sake of it. It's about making work simpler, improving the experience for our customers and colleagues, and building a culture where everyone feels empowered to make things better.
How does your job help keep our island running?
Electricity is an essential service, so every improvement we make behind the scenes helps support the people who rely on us every day.
A big part of my role is connecting people, bringing together different teams, understanding their perspectives and helping turn ideas into practical improvements. It's incredibly rewarding to see people collaborate to solve problems and make a positive difference for our customers and our island.
What other industries have you worked in?
I've been fortunate to work across a wide range of industries including finance, retail, hospitality, direct marketing, telecommunications and, for the last decade, the energy sector.
I actually left school intending to become an accountant before discovering a passion for IT. That opened the door to working across different industries and understanding organisations from many perspectives.
Working as a Residential Engineer at Sure taught me the importance of frontline customer service, while seven years with Islands Energy Group gave me valuable experience across both Operations and Finance. Joining Guernsey Electricity felt like a natural next step, continuing to support an essential service for our island community.
What does a typical day look like?
That's one of the things I enjoy most...there isn't one!
One day might involve facilitating a workshop, coaching my team or working with colleagues to improve a business process; the next could be meeting suppliers or supporting a transformation programme.
The best part of the job is talking to people. Those conversations often uncover opportunities that no report or process map ever could.
What is your proudest achievement so far?
Seeing people grow.
Projects eventually finish, but helping someone build confidence, develop new skills or see a challenge differently has a lasting impact.
I've been fortunate to work with some brilliant people throughout my career, and if I've helped others grow along the way, that's something I'm incredibly proud of.
What was your dream job growing up?
Growing up I wanted to be a guitarist.
That dream has never really gone away, it's simply evolved. Today I'm just as passionate about song writing and music production as I am about playing guitar, and I'm currently writing and recording my own original music.
Looking back, whether it's music or business improvement, I've always enjoyed creating something that didn't exist before.
What is the most unusual thing about your job and how would you describe it to someone who knows nothing about it?
People often think business improvement is all about processes and documentation.
In reality, it's much more about people.
A big part of my role is listening, asking questions and helping different perspectives come together. Technology enables change, but lasting improvement always starts with people.
If you could swap jobs with anyone for a day, who would it be and why?
I'd choose António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations.
I'd love the opportunity to better understand the challenges facing humanity and how global leaders balance complex issues such as energy, sustainability, conflict and development.
I think it would be a fascinating perspective on how even the biggest challenges are addressed through collaboration, dialogue and a shared sense of purpose.
Who inspires you the most?
Nims Purja has been a huge source of inspiration for me.
Earlier this year I had the opportunity to hear him speak in Poole about resilience, teamwork and challenging perceived limits. It was an incredibly inspiring evening.
While his mountaineering achievements are remarkable, it's his mindset that resonates with me most: the belief that with preparation, determination and the right team, far more is possible than we often imagine. That's a philosophy I try to bring into both my professional life and my personal goals.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Don't worry about having all the answers.
Stay curious, ask better questions and never stop learning.
I've found that the best opportunities often come from listening, keeping an open mind and being willing to embrace new challenges.
What are the best benefits offered by GEL in your opinion?
The people, without question.
I've been fortunate to work alongside colleagues who genuinely care about what they do and about serving our island.
It's exciting to be part of an organisation that's investing in the future while staying true to its role at the heart of our community.
Bonus Question – Who do you like to follow on LinkedIn and why?
I tend to follow people who challenge the way I think rather than simply reinforce it.
I'm particularly interested in explorers, mountaineers and leaders who have achieved extraordinary things through resilience, teamwork and continual learning. I find many of those lessons apply just as much in business and everyday life as they do in extreme environments.
And finally… what do you enjoy outside work?
Outside work you'll usually find me with a guitar in my hands or, every Christmas for the past 14 years, in the orchestra pit at Beau Séjour for GADOC’s annual pantomime. It's a great reminder that whether you're performing in a theatre or working in a business, the best results always come from a team.
