Gemma's interest for ESG first began whilst she studied for her Business Degree at Leeds Beckett University. After completing her Masters in Environmental Science, she now plays a key role within our ESG Team
Can you talk us through what you were doing initially?
I began with a business degree at Leeds Beckett, where I first learned about ESG as a business metric. This sparked my interest in contributing to its improvement on an industrial scale, after a placement year with the university's sustainability team I was able to pursue an MSc in Environmental Science at Keele University. My master’s degree provided technical insights into green infrastructure, policy influence, and the practicalities of carbon reduction measures in commercial industries. I was also a bar manager
What are you doing now?
As a Sustainability Graduate, I work across multiple departments, for the bid team I will assist with responses regarding the social value we can deliver alongside technologies and on environmental management practices to highlight to clients our high standards and sustainable impacts. I assist the Senior Environmental Advisor with Project Environmental Plans which guide teams through construction on environmental risks and best practice. I am also collecting live data from a site which is being used to complete a Whole Life Carbon Assessment, which is exciting as these assessments are really new in infrastructure so there’s so much to learn from them about embodied carbon in construction.
How do you feel about the opportunities to progress at Vital?
The professional development support is great, I am being encouraged and supported as I am working towards my IEMA professional membership, everyone wants you to genuinely enjoy what you’re doing and encourages you to grow and do things that expand your knowledge.
What experiences have you had outside of your role?
I had a really exciting opportunity where I was invited to talk on a panel with other Vital Team members about our experiences conducting a Whole Life Carbon Assessment, it was really nerve racking to be speaking to so many industry professionals, but what was really surreal was that everyone was genuinely interested in what I had to say.
What would you say to someone who’s considering applying for a role at Vital Energi?
Do it, I had been introduced to vital and my role had never been a graduate position before, so tell them what you want to do, what you’re passionate about, what you’re good at and interested in doing!
