Our people

Customer Service Team Manager

Andrea Hastie

JOINED COMPANY:

2002

WHAT I DO:

I manage a team of customer service advisors who look after customers who are moving house. Mostly this work is telephone based. My role is to help my team deliver the best performance they can for the company and our customers.

HOW I ARRIVED:

Before I joined the company I was a hotel duty manager.

WHAT YOU GET:

One of the benefits of working for SSE is that there are so many opportunities for self-development. Effort and commitment are noticed and rewarded.

WHAT WE EXPECT:

We're looking for people who genuinely want to perform well, who have a positive attitude and a determination to make things happen.

Generation Engineer

Darren Bolton

JOINED COMPANY:

2000

WHAT I DO:

I'm part of a team that operates and maintains one of the largest coal-fired power stations in Europe. I'm involved with upgrade projects, sometimes the first of their type in the UK, that ensure our power stations use leading edge technology to comply with the latest industry regulations and deliver efficient electricity generation.

HOW I ARRIVED:

I joined the company with a master's degree in engineering.

WHAT YOU GET:

To work as part of a team, so there's never any shortage of expertise to call on. Scottish and Southern Energy is one of the biggest players in the UK energy market, the future looks bright.

WHAT WE EXPECT:

People who have the ability to take on board what their colleagues say; but who are single-minded and confident in what they're doing.

Senior Key Account Manager

Duncan Bentley

JOINED COMPANY:

1997

WHAT I DO:

I negotiate with and maintain constant communication with existing and prospective business customers in what is a very dynamic energy market. My team also provides market information to customers and consultants in an ever-changing marketplace.

HOW I ARRIVED:

As an account manager, having trained as a chef and worked as an estate agent.

WHAT YOU GET:

To work within the stability of the energy industry - after all, everyone uses energy. In the right circumstances there are chances for career progression - and when these opportunities arise you have to strive to make the most of them.

WHAT WE EXPECT:

People with different characteristics. In my area of the business you need character, to be reliable and to have the initiative to work on your own in a fast moving environment.

Energy Prompt Trader

Ed Lawns

JOINED COMPANY:

2002

WHAT I DO:

I'm part of a team that buys and sells electricity and gas in the wholesale market, looking up to four weeks ahead to match supply with demand while anticipating changes in wholesale prices.

HOW I ARRIVED:

I came straight from university, starting in Customer Service.

WHAT YOU GET:

To work with a young, enthusiastic team in a high-pressure environment, dealing with real-time issues that can make or lose money for the company. This means being prepared to take risks and, sometimes, to accept constructive criticism if you get it wrong!

WHAT WE EXPECT:

Motivation, people not frightened to have an opinion and to act on it. We like people who can accept a challenge.

Metering Chargehand

Kenny Watt

JOINED COMPANY:

1997

WHAT I DO:

I install and replace metering equipment for domestic, commercial and industrial customers. I also assist my manager with daily office duties and provide support to field staff. I also cover when my area manager is away.

HOW I ARRIVED:

I was a contracting electrician on Shetland before joining SSE.

WHAT YOU GET:

I wanted an opportunity to move to the mainland. Working for a large company like SSE meant it was possible for me to do this, without having to change employer. My new role has allowed me to gain valuable management experience which I hope will help my career development.

WHAT WE EXPECT:

The company changes rapidly and we need people who are happy to go with the changes, who are prepared to try something new. We need people who deliver a good standard of service for our customers, who can go home at night knowing they've done the job to the best of their ability - job done!

Major Projects Administrator

Ruth Liddicoat

JOINED COMPANY:

1999

WHAT I DO:

I'm part of the team involved in upgrading the transmission network in Scotland. This work is essential to allow the connection of the new generation developments required to help meet the UK's target of 15% of electricity to come from renewable sources by 2015.

HOW I ARRIVED:

Almost straight from school, starting in customer service.

WHAT YOU GET:

To work for a very positive company where everyone is very open - to ideas, to listening to others and to moving the company forward in the best way possible.

WHAT WE EXPECT:

Hard work, for you to be honest with yourself and with your colleagues. To take your work seriously, but not to take yourself too seriously.

Customer Service Training Manager

Ryan Sadler

JOINED COMPANY:

1998

WHAT I DO:

I make sure new staff aren't thrown in at the deep end. We have excellent training and lots of support. After all, they're going to be making promises on our behalf, promises we must keep.

HOW I ARRIVED:

I started out on the telephones in the Gas Call Centre.

WHAT YOU GET:

An enjoyable place to work. There's a culture of passion, promises and commitments with plenty of opportunities to progress within the company. Because a lot of promotion comes from within, many of the team managers actually started on the telephones.

WHAT WE EXPECT:

Normal people who just genuinely like to help others and who obviously get enjoyment out of that and so give it their all.

Energy Systems Performance Manager

Sally Johnson

JOINED COMPANY:

1996

WHAT I DO:

My team's main job is to keep the lights on for our customers. We know our customers measure our performance, not when their lights are on, but by how effectively we perform when they go out.

HOW I ARRIVED:

Like most of us, I have worked my way up through the ranks. I started on the phones in our Customer Service Centre before making the move into Energy Systems looking after the electricity network.

WHAT YOU GET:

To act as an individual. If there's something that needs to be done that's going to help our customers, then in general you can make that decision.

WHAT WE EXPECT:

Dedication, self-motivated people who can think for themselves. It's OK to be slightly non-conformist, as long as you can work as a team and produce results.

Apprentice Electrician

Sam Dacre

JOINED COMPANY:

2003

WHAT I DO:

I'm training to be a contracting electrician, a four year course which involves spending some time in college and some time working on my own. I get the satisfaction of knowing I'm doing a real job for a real customer.

HOW I ARRIVED:

I joined the Scottish and Southern Energy apprentice scheme straight from school.

WHAT YOU GET:

One of the best training schemes in the country which equips you to build a successful career in the industry.

WHAT WE EXPECT:

People who will work safely, pay attention, listen to instructions and take an interest in what they do.

Gas Storage Leaching Engineer

Scott Maxwell

JOINED COMPANY:

2002

WHAT I DO:

I manage a team of technicians responsible for 'leaching' the caverns that will store gas at our new gas storage facility at Aldbrough by pumping sea water at high pressure to dissolve the salt and so create the cavern. This involves 'hands on' practical work, training my team, carrying out isolation and maintenance tasks, and monitoring the team's performance, analysing water samples and compiling reports.

HOW I ARRIVED:

When SSE acquired the Hornsea gas storage facility from my previous employers.

WHAT YOU GET:

The security of working for a large organisation that is widely recognised as a 'good business', a company that is prepared to invest for the future. There are plenty of chances to progress in an organisation the size of SSE, something smaller companies just can't offer.

WHAT WE EXPECT:

People who are problem solvers, not people who expect everything to be handed to them on a plate. You're expected to work safely with the minimum of supervision whilst recognising the importance of asking for advice or guidance when you need it. Common sense and a practical approach are as valuable as qualifications.