10 Years of So Energy: Stuart's Story

Meet Stuart, our Senior Trading Manager. Ten years ago, Stuart worked for our parent company, ESB, commuting from Edinburgh to Dublin. Today, he’s helping customers reduce their impact on the environment. Read more about Stuart’s journey below.  

Ten years ago, I was working in the ESB Trading department in Dublin, having joined the company a year earlier. My family and I had recently moved back to Scotland because we were unable to sell our house, and our children were starting school. So, each week, I commuted from Edinburgh to Dublin – it was probably cheaper than catching a train into London! 

As ESB has a variety of business units – Networks, Generation, Supply and Asset Development – it’s a place you can work in multiple guises. It wasn’t uncommon for internal emails to announce the retirement of someone after over 40 years of service. I worked with people for whom ESB was their only employer, and so, I assumed I’d be working there for the remainder of my career, and I’d eventually settle in Ireland with my family. 

Skip forward to today, and that ESB relationship proved strong after transferring from ESB Trading into ESB Energy in 2018 and then across to So Energy in 2021 following our merger.  

Dropping the long commute each week has undoubtedly been hugely beneficial for my mental and physical health. But moreover, my career is a testament to the possibility of building a diverse career in just one sector because there are so many opportunities available. The energy industry requires an array of unique skillsets, from public relations and regulations to marketing and trading, where I’m positioned now. 

I’ve also managed to channel my passion for enabling sustainable living and spearheaded the Sustainability Affinity Group at So Energy. Today, I am lucky to be able to work on tariffs and propositions that directly help the customer to reduce their impact on the environment, such as through green tariffs and demand reduction. I’m also the proud to do my bit for the environment away from work, by owning an electric car and having solar panels installed on the roof of my home. 

It is the people from ESB and So Energy who have shaped me into who I am today. As a challenger brand, So Energy offers countless valuable opportunities – providing unique insights into all aspects of the supply journey. With this knowledge, So Energists are equipped to tackle issues facing the customer. 

A lot can change in 10 years, but So Energy’s commitment to helping our customers live a more sustainable life hasn’t. I’ve been lucky to go on that sustainability journey myself and helping others do so makes me proud to be an Energist.