At Total in London, Darren, an Energy Efficiency Specialist is tasked with developing new service solutions to help customers improve energy efficiency at their facilities and reduce their carbon footprint.
| “I realized there was an opportunity to combine my academic background in sustainable development with experience gained at Total”,Darren – Energy Efficiency Specialist |
Sustainable Development, a True Vocation
After completing his undergraduate degree in development studies, which included a dissertation on coral reef conservation in the Philippines, Darren wasn’t an obvious candidate to join an oil company, but that’s exactly what happened when he was hired by Total as a client account manager in the gas and power division.
Choosing His Own Path
After eight years and various roles, Darren decided to pursue a change in career. “I realized there was an opportunity to combine my academic background in sustainable development with the commercial and business experience gained at Total”, he explains.
He went on to gain an MSc in Sustainability (Environmental Consultancy & Project Management), then worked on the BITC Corporate Responsibility Index, an influential ranking published in The Financial Times that measures companies on their strategy, management and performance in respect of social and environmental issues.
Returning to Total
In 2010, Darren returned to the same division in Total but to a new role to develop products and services to help customers improve energy efficiency at their facilities and reduce their carbon footprint. Darren is also responsible for managing compliance with various UK Government environmental programmes and associated legislation. “The size of this task was considerable but it provided an opportunity to develop services to help our customers manage and reduce their environmental impact”
He went into it with his eyes open. Helping steer a company like Total Gas & Power to add consulting activities and embrace sustainable development and environmental issues has taken time. However, as Darren is an accomplished triathlete, he knows a thing or two about long-haul efforts and is ready to rise to the challenge.
Short Resume
- 1996-1999
BSc in Development Studies
- 2000-2008
Project manager at Total Gas & Power Limited
- 2009-2010
MSc in Sustainability (Environmental Consultancy & Project Management)
- 2009-2010
Senior Corporate Responsibility Index Manager – Business in the Community, published by The Financial Times
- 2010-present
Energy Services Product and Compliance Manager at Total Gas & Power Limited