Hannah was born and raised in Nottingham. Reflecting on her early years, she shared that she never quite knew what she wanted to do but eventually completed her A-levels, focusing on Photography and Graphic Design. She described her career journey as somewhat unconventional, mentioning, ‘I’ve done things somewhat against the norm. Having my children young and then building my career now they’re more independent has allowed me time to focus on myself and ultimately how we improve our family’s life.’

Her first job was at a Subway sandwich shop, which she admits wasn’t glamorous but proved invaluable in shaping her career. She explained, ‘I thank those years working in customer service at a young age, for giving me my resilience and excellent people skills. You meet people from all walks of life and being able to find common ground with them was very rewarding.’

Initially, she thought she wanted to stay home with her children while they were young, but this period was short-lived. She reflected, ‘We were fortunate enough to be in a position for me to trial it, and relatively quickly I wanted to be doing something for myself and to show my children that I was more than their mother.’ A friend suggested an opening position at Green Funding Solutions, and after learning about the company’s work with vulnerable communities in the UK, she knew it was something she wanted to be part of.

Her career path was more of an organic process rather than a planned decision. ‘I never imagined myself in a corporate role, let alone in the energy efficiency and retrofit industry,’ she admitted. However, once she started at Green Funding Solutions, Hannah saw the profound impact of the work and began to pursue further opportunities to grow and learn within the field.

When asked about the early challenges in her career, she revealed, ‘I had no prior knowledge of retrofit, so I took every opportunity to absorb information—joining calls, taking minutes, and listening to discussions. It was a steep learning curve, but immersing myself in every aspect of the work helped me to build a strong foundation.’

Mentorship played a crucial role in her development. She mentioned, ‘I’ve been fortunate to have mentors who encouraged me to push way beyond my comfort zone. Seeing other women navigate leadership roles in this industry has been incredibly inspiring.’ She also credited male allies who supported her growth, noting that their encouragement had been instrumental in her career development.

In the early stages, she learned on the job, but she recently completed E.ON’s Women in Leadership course. ‘I’ve got so much out of it through connecting with other women in a multitude of different areas,’ she said, highlighting the value of these professional connections.

Key skills that proved essential to her career progression include strong communication, problem-solving, and adaptability. ‘Understanding regulations and funding mechanisms has also been key, as the industry is constantly evolving,’ she explained. These skills have been vital, especially when navigating the complexities of the retrofit industry.

Throughout her career, Hannah has faced moments which made her question her path. ‘I’m at a point now where I’m questioning where I’m headed next. Seeing my peers explore new opportunities naturally makes me consider my own future. I’m using this uncertainty as motivation to explore new possibilities rather than letting it hold me back,’ she shared, illustrating how uncertainty can actually fuel personal growth.

One significant turning point in her career came when she took a proactive step in her role at Green Funding Solutions. After seven months as a project administrator, she recognised the need for a position that bridged the gap between her role and project manager. ‘I shared my thoughts with the head of our area, suggesting a new role that would bridge the gap and create a clear pathway for career growth. She listened, and soon after, a new position was created. I applied, secured the role, and gained valuable experience managing contractors and external clients. Nine months later, when a project manager position opened, I felt ready to take the next step—and that’s where I am today,’ she explained.

In her current role, Hannah is responsible for overseeing project coordination, managing timelines, liaising with stakeholders, and ensuring compliance with funding and regulatory requirements. ‘Communication, problem-solving, and adaptability are my most-used skills,’ she noted. Despite the challenges of working in a constantly changing regulatory environment, she remains committed to staying informed and collaborating closely with her colleagues. ‘The key to overcoming this is staying informed, maintaining flexibility, and working closely with colleagues in order to adapt quickly,’ she said.

Hannah is particularly proud of her accomplishments as a woman in a male-dominated field. ‘Being a woman in a male-dominated field and proving my capability is something I’m really proud of,’ she explained. Her focus on making a tangible impact is reflected in her view of success. ‘Official answer? Targets and objectives hit. Unofficially, am I happy? Have I made a difference to someone’s way of living? We all too often get caught up in the number of measures and properties but forget that these are people’s homes, where they raise their families. Knowing we contribute to lowering their energy bills and improving how they live is the biggest success you could ask for.’

When discussing how she stays engaged in her work, Hannah emphasised the importance of keeping the bigger picture in mind. ‘Knowing that my work directly helps people keeps me engaged, even when challenges arise,’ she stated. To continue growing professionally, she remains committed to ongoing learning. ‘The industry never stands still, so staying informed is essential,’ she added.

Looking toward the future, she sees herself stepping into site management while maintaining her project management expertise. ‘I want to be in a role where I can bridge the gap between planning and execution and become a role model for other like-minded women,’ she said.

Reflecting on her career, Hannah is content with the path she has taken. ‘It wasn’t planned, but it’s been fulfilling, challenging, and impactful. I wouldn’t change it,’ she concluded.