My alarm goes off at …
Usually, I like to be woken up by the natural sunlight around 06:00, but if that’s not the case then I have a failsafe alarm set for 06:33; ‘three’ being my lucky number!
The first thing I do each day is …
I catch up on the news headlines and any emails that have come through from different time zones overnight before a quick mediation. I’ve learnt that 10 minutes of calm and breathing to top and tail each day makes all the difference to my mindset and ability to take a breath before any decision.
I prepare for the day ahead by …
I head out for a run with my dog Koda (or a walk if we’re feeling lazy). I try to use this time to reflect and think through the day ahead or listen to a podcast. I find time outdoors helps inspire creative and strategic thinking.
I can’t leave the house without…
a cup of tea to go, usually two! I always start with Yorkshire Tea and move straight on to an Earl Grey.
My typical day…
My days are so varied not least due to our range of clients; one moment I can be in my hard hat, pacing the ground mount for the latest farm project in Devon and next I could be sipping coffee in the manor house with a high net worth individual on their private estate. Equally, I might be found overseas; in particular in the British Virgin Islands where we work not only with private individuals and companies but also on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office of the British Government.
My most memorable work moment …
Probably has to be in Nepal. After volunteering to assist in the aftermath of the 2015 earthquake for a disaster relief charity using veterans from the UK Armed Forces, I commenced work on a philanthropic renewables programme, spanning a few years. This involved delivering off-grid solar to schools at the epicentre of the earthquake in a remote community called Lapubesi, along with refurbishing their hydro turbine.
When we recommissioned the turbine, it was the first time in three years that the whole valley had power to their homes. It was a very emotional and poignant moment for me and the team. The culmination of this all was taking Prince Harry out there for a week as part of our small team after his Royal visit to the country.
Worst part of my job …
Is not being able to spend as much time as I would like with the team on-site; chewing the fat and catching up face-to-face. That’s what I miss most as we’ve grown the business, and with it, the size of the team.
We are still an incredibly close-knit group and that underpinning family feel is what I believe makes us unique. Hence, why we are not seeking ambitions of domination; that’s not what is important. I’m more interested in the heart of our business and people; the personal approach.
Best part of my job…
Is making a difference each day and having an impact in the fight against climate change, to coin a phrase; ‘one panel at a time’. I’ve always wanted to live a life of service and since my formative years as an army officer, I’ve managed to follow my passions.
I can now continue on this path with purpose, through renewable energy and sustainability; not only are we a carbon-negative business, but we also commit 1.5% of our turnover to our own carbon reduction charity ‘ROC’ (Reduce Our Carbon: www.reduceourcarbon.org) through which, myself and the incredible team around me ensure that our installs thorough to our supply chain and overseas operations are carbon neutral at worst.
I relish each and every day, along with the flexibility to do things how I believe are the right way. In the words of Frank Sinatra and a song I wish to hear at my funeral, I’d like the theme of my legacy to be ‘I did it my way’.
I relax after work by…
I try to resist reaching for a glass of Red Californian Zinfandel during the week… and with two daughters aged 12 and 10 there isn’t really any respite!
Football though is another passion of mine; with a pair of season tickets at Arsenal and coaching my daughter’s team, that really is my escapism and an outlet.
The last thing I do each day is …
Ensure I’m prepared for the next one: I live by the 7P’s; prior preparation prevents p*ss poor performance. It’s this military approach we take at Your Eco, and that which is engrained throughout the business that makes us who we are.
I drift off listening to the Calm meditation app. (Oh, how I’ve changed – that’s something I never thought I would hear myself saying!). In recent years, I’ve come to recognise mental well-being is just as important as physical, hence it’s important to me that both my body and mind are kept fit and healthy.
On my bedside table is…
Water, CBD gummies; (I’ve come to swear them; they have an incredibly positive calming effect and my body isn’t getting any younger, so it helps with the aches from daily exercise) and my phone. I’d like to say I put it down, but truth is, I don’t – it’s never switched off, and I make a point that to always be contactable.
I’m in bed by…
2200 normally, I try wrap up any loose ends and emails and be asleep by 2300. Sundays are my treat day though, and I aim to be asleep by 2000 so that I’m well-rested and my batteries are fully charged ahead of the new week. This helps me get ahead, as Monday morning is always the busiest as we shake back out onto our operational projects.
Would you like to feature in our ‘day in the life’ segment? Drop us a line at natalie@andpublishing.co.uk and we’ll be in contact.