AEA Graduate Profile: Simon Jack

 

Name: Simon Jack
Qualifications: BSc Natural Sciences, Durham University, MSc Global Environmental Change, University of Plymouth
Current role: Research Consultant, AEA Graduate programme; Operations Manager, Green 500 Programme

In my role I…

I came into AEA at a really opportune time, just as a bid was won, and I was given a high-level management role on the Green500 project.

Green500 is an initiative developed in response to the Mayor of London’s Climate Change Action Plan which aims to reduce CO2 in London by 1.5 million tonnes though the actions of London companies. Launched in December 2007, its called the Green500 because it is designed to target 500 of the biggest organisations in London – those companies with the greatest carbon saving potential. Organisations like Marks & Spencer, Chelsea Football Club, Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospital have already agreed to join.

My day-to-day responsibilities include process management, sales activities, co-ordinating consortium activities, report writing, client-facing work with the London Development Agency and stakeholder engagement.

As well as my main role, I also head up the Carbon Mentoring team, which advises companies on how to deliver the action plans to reduce their carbon use.

Highlights of the role…

I’ve been in post since September 2007 and since then I’ve attended two major events: the LDA-hosted launch of the Green500; and a stakeholder networking event at the Natural History Museum. This was an excellent opportunity to engage with high-level companies and raise my profile.

I was nominated for, and received an individual recognition award from AEA for the way I’ve coped with the high levels of strategic responsibility I’ve been given.

The best thing about working at AEA…

Is that the opportunities are there, should you choose to take them. AEA provides a high level of flexibility and support for you to grow and diversify – it’s really exciting.

Since joining AEA I have learnt…

The main things I have learnt are management skills. Working as an operations manager means that I’m developing my technical skills as well as people and process management knowledge – the combination of which is providing me a great balance and a unique skills set.