entrepreneurs 15


Pictures by Angus Thomas


Feed-in-Tariff rate is what determines the major part of the return people can get from solar panels, paying them for every kilowatt of energy they produce. In 2011 this stood at 43.3p – almost three times as high, so the days of big potential returns and quick paybacks are over.


The higher initial FiT naturally appeal so take-up has been large, especially by some organisations, but that FiT was designed for domestic houses, not large-scale enterprises such as solar farms. Solar power is not proven technology and the infrastructure is too fragile. Suppliers are billing us to take into account the FiT and renewable obligations. I can see the sense of windfarms on land – not so clearly big metal structures in the salt water of seas and oceans – but again, if all the UK wind turbines were operating, the UK will have an over-capacity of electricity. We should invest


in renewable sources – wave power, geothermal and keep/invest in nuclear.


Energy is topical at the moment with Ed Milliband stating Labour would freeze gas and electricity prices in the UK for 20 months if elected in 2015. Energy companies responded to his plans, with a new regulator, by saying the policy could lead to power shortages and jeopardise investment and jobs. Thoughts?


I really do not agree with his comments. Energy is a global economy and if he were to freeze prices during his 20 months, but war kicked off in the Middle East, or god forbid we have another natural disaster, worldwide prices go up ... and down for that matter. Currently you can generally look at a 10% rise per annum so he’s just delaying the inevitable, do they put them up before the freeze, or after at a greater percentage? We need investment, as even before this debacle of a statement, the industry was and is continually talking about blackouts.


On a daily basis what motivates you, and what’s the most important lesson you’ve learned in business?


Knowing we are making our customers’ lives easier and providing a great service. As for a lesson, when a whale comes up to spout is when it gets harpooned ... in other words be stealth-like in your approach to business, do a great job and the rest speaks for itself.


Can you switch off, pun deliberate, from all things energy-related on a day off and what do you enjoy doing in your free time?


No, I’m always looking for new ideas, which tend to come when I am relaxed. I enjoy golf, skiing, spending time with the family and dining out.


If you had to mentor a young entrepreneur, what three things would you first look at in advising them?


Work hard; do what you say you are going to do and when you’re going to do it by; memorise


THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE – SOLENT & SOUTH CENTRAL – NOVEMBER 2013


people’s names, birthdays, special events and hobbies. People buy people not power. Interaction and soft skills are really important.


Awards are great recognition for a hardworking team, such as winning the Brilliance in Business Awards 2010-11 (organised by the New Forest Business Partnership), but do you enter many as a way to raise the company’s profile?


We are just starting to, but they take so much time to enter when there is a business to run. We were a finalist in The Energy Live Consultancy Awards (TELCA) 2013, in the SME Best Customer Service category. I prefer awards where your customers vote for you not a panel of ’experts’.


What gives you the greatest sense of achievement?


A happy team who enjoy being at work.


How do you manage the home/work balance with a young family?


I have teenage sons and a young daughter who is four and has just started school. It’s difficult because Rachel and I are always discussing work at home. But you could say my balance is easier, because I play golf pretty regularly.


Bucket list time; any unfulfilled ambitions?


To travel around the world (I’d like to say take two or three months off and have a gap year of sorts in a few years when I turn 50), meet Richard Branson, play off scratch, see my two teenage boys realise their ambitions and to see Rachel not work so hard.


And being an energy expert, what’s the most energy efficient gadget or system that you have at home?


Education ... the cheapest unit of energy is the one that isn’t used.


Details: www.zenergi.co.uk


www.businessmag.co.uk


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