Episode 174 Gareth Hughes – From Accounting to Energy Innovation

In this episode, we speak with Gareth Hughes, an energy professional whose journey began in accountancy before making a bold transition into the sustainability and energy sector.

Gareth shares how his early career in finance gave him a solid foundation, but it was his passion for meaningful impact that led him to retrain and reimagine his future. Now fully embedded in the energy world, Gareth is helping businesses navigate the complexities of carbon reduction, energy strategy, and net-zero ambitions.

We discuss:

• What inspired Gareth to change careers

• The value of upskilling in a shifting energy landscape

• Practical steps organisations can take to manage energy more effectively

• Why purpose-driven careers matter more than ever

A fascinating conversation with someone who’s living proof that it’s never too late to change direction and make a real difference.

Episode 173 – Making Perfect Sense with Gary Brandwood - Perfect Sense Energy

In this enlightening episode of Energy Speaks Back, we’re joined by Gary Brandwood, Managing Director of Perfect Sense Energy—a company leading the way in sustainable energy solutions for commercial and industrial buildings.

Gary shares his journey from founding Perfect Sense Energy to scaling it into a trusted provider of LED lighting, solar PV, and smart controls that truly make a difference. We explore real-world examples of energy efficiency in action, and how businesses are leveraging intelligent technologies to reduce consumption, cut costs, and improve sustainability.

Whether you’re an energy manager, facilities professional, or just passionate about net-zero, this episode will leave you thinking: this really does make perfect sense.

🔋 Topics we cover:

• The evolution of Perfect Sense Energy

• Practical ways to reduce energy in commercial spaces

• The role of LED, solar, and smart tech

• Lessons learned from large-scale installations

• Why simplicity often drives the best results

B2B Energy Speaks Back presents an interview with Paul Barker, where we discuss the importance of water treatment in energy and sustainability.

Paul shares insights into how effective water treatment contributes to operational efficiency, reduces costs, and supports environmental goals. This conversation highlights why water — often overlooked — is a critical resource in managing energy and achieving sustainability targets.

Episode 171 — Building a Career in Renewables: A Conversation with Smita Barooah

In this inspiring episode of Energy Speaks Back, I reconnect with Smita , a participant from my mentoring program during the COVID-19 pandemic. Smita shares her journey transitioning into the energy and sustainability sector, where she is now building a meaningful career in the renewables space.

We discuss her motivations, the challenges of entering a fast-evolving industry, and the lessons she’s learned along the way. Smita’s story is a testament to resilience, lifelong learning, and the impact of mentorship in shaping the next generation of energy professionals.

Phil Draper – Visionary Founder of 21 Engineering

In this episode of Energy Speaks Back, I sit down with Phil Draper, the visionary founder of 21 Engineering. Phil shares his journey of building a company that’s redefining how buildings and people interact through innovation, smart technologies, and a culture of lifelong learning.

We dive into the mindset behind his success, how he leads a team that blends technical excellence with human-centred design, and his insights on creating sustainable, future-ready buildings.

Whether you’re looking for inspiration from a leader in the energy and building sector or want to learn how passion and innovation can transform industries, Phil’s story offers lessons for us all.

21 Engineering – Driving Innovation in Buildings and People

In this inspiring episode of Energy Speaks Back, I sit down with the brilliant team at 21 Engineering to uncover how they’re redefining the way buildings and people interact. We explore their pioneering work in smart technologies, renewable energy, and lifelong learning — showing how innovation is not just about equipment and systems, but also about empowering the people who use them.

Join us as we discuss real-world examples of sustainable solutions, the importance of collaboration, and the future of energy management in the built environment. Whether you’re an energy professional, a technology enthusiast, or simply curious about the future of our industry, this conversation is packed with valuable insights you won’t want to miss.

🎙️ Episode 168 – Energy Interconnection: The Backbone of a Resilient Grid

Guest: Mathew Rose | Energy Infrastructure Specialist

In this episode of Energy Speaks Back, I’m joined by Mathew Rose, a seasoned expert in energy infrastructure, for a deep dive into the world of energy interconnectors—the silent enablers of our low-carbon future.

We explore how interconnectors support energy security, grid flexibility, and cross-border energy trading. Mathew shares insights on their strategic role in decarbonisation, the UK’s current and future plans, and what they mean for businesses and energy managers alike.

Whether you’re an energy strategist, policymaker, or consultant, this episode will help you understand why interconnectors are no longer just cables—they’re critical infrastructure for a connected, resilient, and sustainable energy system.

“Why Every Industry Needs a Trade Association? – with Chris Ridge from TICA”

In this episode of B2B Energy Speaks Back, I’m joined by Chris Ridge, Technical Policy Manager at TICA, the Thermal Insulation Contractors Association.

We unpack the powerful role TICA plays in driving the UK’s insulation industry forward—from skills development and workforce support to setting technical standards across the sector.

In our conversation, we discuss:

• The role of insulation in reducing energy waste

• Why trade associations are critical for industry cohesion

• How TICA is influencing the energy and construction sectors

• The future of insulation on the road to net zero

This episode brings fresh perspective to one of energy management’s most underestimated tools: insulation.

🎧 Available now on all podcast platforms.

🎙 Energy Speaks Back – Featuring Pierre-Emmanuel

In this powerful episode, I sit down with Pierre-Emmanuel, a seasoned expert in waste-to-energy solutions and a highly respected voice in the wider energy generation sector. With decades of experience behind him, Pierre shares his journey through the evolving energy landscape, shedding light on how waste can be transformed into a valuable energy resource.

We discuss the technologies driving the waste-to-energy movement, the challenges faced in global implementation, and the role innovation plays in bridging energy needs and environmental responsibility.

Whether you're an energy professional or simply curious about sustainable energy solutions, this conversation offers insightful perspectives on one of the most dynamic sectors in our field.

🎙️ B2B Energy Speaks Back – Episode: Wrapping Up Energy Waste

Guest: Pritesh Mistry, T&M Supplies

In this episode, Paul is joined by Pritesh Mistry, Director of T&M Supplies, to explore a critical yet often overlooked area of energy efficiency: lagging and valve wraps. Together, they unpack how proper insulation of pipework, valves, and fittings can significantly reduce heat loss, improve system performance, and deliver measurable carbon and cost savings.

Pritesh shares real-world examples from industrial and commercial sites where T&M Supplies have helped businesses tackle insulation gaps and highlights the role of quick-install valve jackets in supporting compliance and long-term efficiency.

Whether you're managing a plant room or planning your next retrofit, this conversation is a must-listen for facilities managers, energy consultants, and sustainability leaders looking to close the gaps in their energy strategy.

B2B Energy Speaks Back is the podcast where the energy management community comes together to share insights, innovations, and proven strategies. Hosted by Chartered Energy Manager Paul Webb, each episode explores how organisations can reduce energy consumption, cut carbon, and drive smarter decisions—starting with what we often waste: heat.

Nigel Upson from DK Heat Recovery

In our latest series of discussions, we’re shining a light on heat recovery—a powerful but underused opportunity in the journey to net zero. From industrial applications to commercial buildings, our guests break down how to capture and repurpose waste heat to create lasting value.

If you're looking to improve efficiency, lower costs, and make your energy systems work harder—this is the podcast for you.

Episode 163: A Conversation with Terry Casey, Co-Founder of Trend Control Systems

In this inspiring episode of Energy Speaks Back, Paul Webb sits down with the legendary Terry Casey, Co-Founder of Trend Control Systems, whose work has shaped the energy management industry globally.

Terry shares his remarkable journey, from the early days of pioneering energy control solutions to the significant influence he has had on shaping the way we think about and implement energy efficiency strategies today.

Known for his ground breaking ideas and leadership, Terry has inspired countless professionals in the industry, including Paul himself.

Tune in as they discuss Terry’s vision for the future of energy management, the lessons learned from decades of innovation, and the importance of collaboration in achieving sustainability goals. Whether you're an industry veteran or just beginning your journey in energy management, this episode is packed with insights and inspiration you won’t want to miss.

📍 Key Takeaways:

🎧 Join us for this special episode as we honour a true pioneer in the field of energy management.

B2BEnergy 12 Days of Christmas – Day 12

Good morning, good afternoon, and good evening! Welcome to B2B Energy's 12 Days of Christmas! Can you believe it? We’ve reached the final day—Day 12! Let’s celebrate completing this journey with cheers, not tears.

On this last day, I like to tie everything together and create a comprehensive package. Over the past 12 days, we’ve explored a variety of important topics, and today, I want to focus on the monthly energy management meeting.

In the post above, I’ve outlined the key points we need to address during these meetings. Here’s what we should cover:

·        Energy Assessments: Review the findings and identify the “low-hanging fruit” opportunities for improvement.

·        Energy Dashboard: Analyse the past 12 months of energy consumption data.

·        Daily Energy Reports: Evaluate the trends we’ve been tracking—where do we stand, and what are the patterns?

·        Billing Review: Ensure accuracy in our bills, fine-tune as necessary, check contract statuses, and address any other billing-related concerns.

To help you focus on these areas, I’ve put together a simple agenda for monthly energy management meetings. This approach is what I use with the organisations I work with, where we regularly review the dashboard, data, billing, and action plans.

The action plan is especially important—it serves as the framework that tracks our progress on no-cost, medium-cost, and capital-cost initiatives. When everything comes together, it drives effective energy management.

As mentioned, all these points are summarised in the post I’ve shared with you today.

Thank you so much for your support—your likes, comments, and engagement mean the world to me and have motivated me throughout my years on LinkedIn.

Take care and stay safe, and I wish you and your families all the best during this season.

#energy #energymanagement #12daysofchristmas #energyexpert #b2benergyexperts

Day 11*

Good morning, good afternoon, and good evening! Welcome to Day 11 of the B2B Energy 12 Days of Christmas! It’s been a truly enjoyable journey putting all of this together and receiving your valuable feedback each day.

Day 11 is all about building an action plan. This action plan is a crucial step that brings together everything from our reviews, energy assessments, and walk-arounds. It consolidates all these insights into a focused, actionable framework.

Here’s the picture: We’ve completed the assessment, we have the dashboard, and now we’re ready to use the action plan as our guide for ongoing energy management.

In this post, I’m sharing a link to a simple action plan template I’ve created for you. The template is organized into three key areas:

·        No-Cost Actions

·        Medium-Cost Actions

·        Capital-Cost Actions

These categories will help prioritise your efforts in energy management. By reviewing them monthly, you can track progress, address challenges, and adjust as needed.

To make tracking easier, I recommend using a traffic light system:

·        Red: Not yet started

·        Amber: In progress

·        Green: Completed

As your action plan starts filling up with green, you’ll know you’re on the right track and making significant progress in energy management.

Thank you so much for your engagement and support. Wishing you a Happy New Year, and I’m excited to continue working with you all in 2025!

#energy #energymanagement #12daysofchristmas #energyexpert #b2benergyexperts

B2B Energy 12 Days of Christmas – Day 10

First, let me take a moment to wish you all a very Happy New Year! I hope you’ve enjoyed the festive season and found the messages shared during this time both valuable and insightful.

As we transition into the new year and return to work, it’s time to refocus on what needs to be done. One of the first steps I recommend is conducting a thorough review of your building’s operations. Take a closer look at key aspects such as the timing of when people start and finish work, and ensure that all timed clocks, Building Management Systems (BMS), and schedules are properly aligned.

During this review, pay attention to your environment. Listen for any equipment that might be running unnecessarily, check for leaks or running water, and identify areas where lights are on but not needed. This simple yet effective review process can help you address low-hanging fruit—those easy-to-fix inefficiencies that could be costing your business energy and money.

#energy #energymanagement #12daysofchristmas #energyexpert #b2benergyexperts

B2B Energy 12 Days of Christmas – Day 9

Good morning, good afternoon, and good evening, and welcome to Day Nine of B2B Energy’s 12 Days of Christmas!

Day Nine is where we start to expand the world of energy management. The key to unlocking this world is one simple task, and as you know, both Jeremy Carter and I talk about this regularly: carrying out an energy assessment.

Focus on what the building is actually doing, on how the people within the building are using energy, and take a comprehensive view of your energy management efforts within that space. This approach falls under the principle of review in the four principles of energy management.

An energy assessment includes walking the perimeter of the building, assessing the top floors, and working your way down through the building. Pay close attention to the plant rooms, focusing on heating, cooling, lighting, power, energy management, and, of course, water. After assessing the plant rooms, turn your attention to the metering areas—identify what’s been installed for gas, electricity, and water, and gather that information.

While you walk around, be on the lookout for immediate, low-cost opportunities to improve, as well as medium investment options and potential capital expenditure needs. All this data will then be compiled into an action plan, which will help guide your efforts on a monthly basis, supported by the energy dashboard we’ve discussed previously.

This energy assessment will form the foundation of your energy management strategy. If you want to learn more, there are plenty of energy experts who are happy to answer any questions, including myself and my close friend Jeremy Carter. I’ll be sharing his contact link in this post so you can reach out to him directly.

Thank you, and Happy New Year to you all!

#energy #energymanagement #12daysofchristmas #energyexpert #b2benergyexperts

B2B Energy 12 Days of Christmas – Day 8

Good morning, good afternoon, and good evening! Welcome to B2B Energy’s 12 Days of Christmas. First, let me wish you all a very Happy NewYear! I hope you’ve enjoyed the festive season and found value in the messages I’ve shared.

As we step into the New Year, it’s the perfect time to set resolutions. This year, I want to challenge you with a simple but impactful resolution: every day, take a meter reading for your building—whether it’s for gas, electricity, or both. Track your organisation’s energy usage daily.

-Here’s how to approach it:

-Take a daily reading.

-Log the data consistently.

Monitor your usage over time and identify areas for improvement.

Let’s turn this into a month-long challenge. New Year’s resolutions often fade away, but a focused effort over one month can yield significant results. Make it a game—see how much you can reduce your energy consumption each day.

We’ve worked with an organisation over the past two years using a simple system to collect daily data, and the result? They reduced their energy consumption by an impressive 60%, simply by tracking and analysing daily usage.

Starting this habit in 2025 can set you on the path to long-term energy savings. It’s a straightforward first step, and as you continue, it will evolve naturally.

Here’s to a brighter and more efficient New Year! Let’s make this resolution count. Happy New Year, everyone!

#energy #energymanagement #12daysofchristmas #energyexpert #b2benergyexperts

B2B Energy 12 Days of Christmas – Day 7

Invest today £25.00 Inc VAT per Month

Or send email to sales@b2benergy.co.uk

Follow Link … https://buy.stripe.com/5kA02abrq2h99iM8x1

Good morning, good afternoon, and good evening, and welcome to B2B Energy's 12 Days of Christmas. Today is Day Seven, and it’s the 31st of December—slowly saying goodbye to 2024 and, more excitingly, preparing to welcome in 2025. What I want to talk about today is: Have you created your training plan for next year? I’m a strong believer in lifelong learning.

In just nine days, I’ll be turning 61, and I’m not afraid to admit it. But I continue to prioritise learning. I never stand still, and I firmly believe in the importance of ongoing education. With that in mind, I’ve developed a training platform to help individuals continue their learning journey in energy management.

Every week, we share an article or valuable information to help you deepen your knowledge of energy management—whether you're working within an organization or as an individual. If you’re interested, I’m offering discounts on my training programs. Please feel free to direct message me or click the link, and I’ll get in touch to discuss how we can support your lifelong learning journey.

It’s a simple process to get started, and we’d be delighted to help you grow in your role as an energy manager or energy expert in our industry.

#energy #energymanagement #12daysofchristmas #energyexpert #b2benergyexperts

B2 B Energy 12 Days of Christmas – Day 6

Good morning, good afternoon, and good evening, and welcome to B2B Energy's 12 Days of Christmas. Today marks Day Six, and we're officially halfway through this exciting journey.

I want to take a moment to talk about something that is very close to my heart: networking and collaboration.

As an energy expert in this industry, I don’t believe in having competitors. If you look at the people I engage with regularly, you’ll see that I often collaborate with many other energy experts. You might wonder, why would I do that? Why would I share my knowledge with others in the same field?

The answer is simple: collaboration is a two-way street. By sharing knowledge, I gain insights in return. We all grow, and together, we are stronger. Collaboration, in my opinion, is the only way we can pave clear pathways to net zero. If we don’t work together—sharing best practices, facing challenges, and supporting one another—we won’t make the progress we need.

That’s why I don’t see others in my field as competitors. Instead, I see them as collaborators. I invite you to do the same: engage with others, including your so-called competitors, and collaborate. In my B2B Energy Network, we have many energy experts who work and talk together, all focused on the same goal—reducing energy consumption, cutting costs, and ultimately, lowering carbon emissions.

We may all be working within the same industry, but we are not competitors. We are partners in achieving the collective goal of a sustainable future.

#energy #energymanagement #12daysofchristmas #energyexpert #b2benergyexperts

B2B Energy 12 Days of Christmas – Day 5

Good morning, good afternoon, and good evening! Welcome to B2B Energy's 12 Days of Christmas, Day Five.

Today, we’re taking a moment to catch our breath during this festive season and start looking ahead to the new year. As we prepare for 2025, it’s the perfect time to focus on how we will monitor and report our energy consumption moving forward. To help with this, I have created a simple yet effective dashboard. This is a tool I personally use in my business and with organisations I support. It keeps our attention firmly on key tasks and goals, particularly when managing electricity, gas, and even water consumption. By logging and reviewing your data monthly, you can clearly see where savings have been made or where consumption has increased. This practice ensures you stay on track and maintain focus.

Link to resource …. https://www.b2benergynetwork.co.uk/12-days-of-christmas

Dashboards are invaluable for driving key performance indicators in your business. Since energy is often the third-largest expense for many organisations, keeping it top of mind can have a significant impact on your bottom line.

Thank you, and Merry Christmas, everyone! 🎄

#energy #energymanagement #12daysofchristmas #energyexpert #b2benergyexperts