The pathway
How you actually get there, here
How you become one varies far more by country than what one does. This is the UK route. Most people take one of these ways in; the right one depends on where you're starting from.
- 1
Head of Energy from a Large Property Portfolio
16-20 years total experienceSkills to master
- Strategic energy procurement, large-scale capital project management, C-suite communication, team leadership across multiple regions.
You're ready to move on when
- Managed an energy budget of £5M+ annually.
- Led a team of 5+ energy professionals.
- Successfully implemented 3+ portfolio-wide energy efficiency programmes.
- Presented energy performance to senior leadership or board members regularly.
- 2
Senior Consultant/Partner from an Energy/Sustainability Consultancy
18-22 years total experienceSkills to master
- Transitioning from client-facing advisory to in-house execution, building internal teams, navigating corporate politics, owning P&L.
You're ready to move on when
- Led strategic energy engagements for major real estate clients.
- Responsible for business development and revenue generation in a consulting context.
- Deep expertise in multiple industry sectors, with a strong focus on real estate.
- Proven ability to translate complex technical advice into actionable business strategies.
- 3
Director of Facilities/Operations with a Strong Energy Focus
18-22 years total experienceSkills to master
- Developing deep specialisation in energy procurement and decarbonisation, shifting from broad operational oversight to focused strategic energy leadership.
You're ready to move on when
- Directly managed energy costs as a significant component of overall facilities budget.
- Implemented major energy efficiency upgrades within a broader facilities remit.
- Demonstrated passion and expertise in energy management beyond general facilities duties.
- Managed a large operational team, including energy specialists.