Introduction

The sustainability job market has been growing since the 1970s when the term first entered the public domain.

Sustainability is a broad term which has a diverse range of meanings. In a working context, the term is often captured by or interchanged with others such as ‘green’, ‘environmental’ or, increasingly, ‘net zero’.

It is a relatively new profession type undergoing an intense growth period in the UK due to government targets to reduce carbon emissions accompanied by corporate commitments to reducing the environmental impact of businesses.

This has resulted in demand for relevant specialist skills outstripping supply, with overall listings for environmental jobs increasing by 91% between 2016-2021 according to Bower Collective. Organisations must now work hard to attract and retain suitable candidates.

This intense period of growth has resulted in some market confusion over standard pay packages, defined job titles, responsibilities, and skills required for those in or entering the sustainability and net zero job market.

In 2020, the NHS set its own ambitious target to achieve net zero for core emissions by 2040, aiming to be the world’s first national health service to do so. This is set out in the Delivering a ‘Net Zero’ National Health Service report, which is supported by the Estates Net Zero Carbon Delivery Plan, including actions and targets to ensure the estates workforce is equipped to progress this ambition.

The NHS Estates and Facilities Workforce Action Plan is structured around four key priorities: improving the health and wellbeing of our people; embedding equality, diversity, and inclusion; developing our people; and building the next generation of Estates and Facilities people, including those in key sustainability roles.

For people looking to pursue careers in sustainability and net zero, it can be difficult know where to start or what to expect compared to more traditional industries and careers.

This guide aims to provide existing NHS staff and potential candidates with information on the skills, experience and qualifications needed to work within the NHS estates and facilities (EFM) sustainability workforce.

It includes case studies of existing NHS estates and facilities employees working in sustainability and their journey into those roles.

This guide can also be read in conjunction with the Estates Net Zero and Sustainability Recruitment Guidance, which provides guidance and recommendations to improve understanding of the NHS offer in sustainability and net zero estates roles.

Few people follow a straightforward career pathway. Many people working in sustainability and net zero have previously worked in different industries and offered transferrable skills.

The career pathways presented in this report are not intended to prescribe a rigid approach towards successfully developing a sustainability career in NHS estates and facilities. Instead, they demonstrate the variety and types of roles available, experience required, and competencies needed for professional development, plus the resources available to support these careers. 

Finally, this guide summarises some of the training offers that can be used to gain environmental knowledge and skills which will assist staff to progress within sustainability and net zero roles in the NHS as a whole.

Expected skills and competencies

Agenda for Change (AfC) is the pay and conditions structure the NHS uses for staff, except for very senior managers (VSM). For indicative wages for 2023/24, see the NHS Employers website. In addition to basic pay, there is also extra pay for staff who work in high-cost areas such as London.

To progress up the AfC banding structure, NHS staff must develop both their experience and skills to meet the criteria outlined in the job description and person specification. The following tables indicate some of the generic skills expected by employees at each banding level. It is also a good idea to search for job descriptions for roles that you would like to do in the future which you can work towards in your current role.

Responsibility for sustainable practices is important in all NHS estates roles. Some of those included in the table below, particularly at lower bandings, may not be dedicated sustainability roles, but can nevertheless form part of an individual’s career pathway into a role focused on sustainability.

Bands 2-3

Example roles

• NZ energy apprentice
• Porter
• Catering assistant
• Gardener

Expected skills and competencies

Band 2 and 3 roles tend to entail practical competencies. Line managers can advise about and provide career development and training opportunities to their staff, such as taking on projects in their team.

• Analysis and research:
  • Resolve issues where possible, escalate as appropriate.
• Relationship management:
  • Good communication skills, able to use tact and persuasion.
• Interpersonal behaviours:
  • Follows team’s objectives and recommendations.
  • Professional to those around them.

Bands 4-5

Example roles

• Sustainability apprentice
• Environmental monitoring operative
• Electrician
• Sustainability officer
• Estates project officer
• Building manager

Expected skills and competencies

• Problem solving:
  • Able to recognise problems and solutions.
  • Refers complex problems to someone more experienced.
• Project management:
  • Awareness of projects around them.
  • Able to effectively manage their assigned projects.
• Relationship management:
  • Able to initiate new relationships where appropriate.
  • Responds quickly and efficiently.
• Analysis and research:
  • Able to effectively review information.
  • Able to communicate findings to team members.
• Interpersonal behaviours:
  • Follows team’s objectives and recommendations.
  • Professional to those around them.

Bands 6-7

Example roles

• Sustainability officer
• Estates project support officer
• Building manager
• Sustainable travel officer
• Waste management officer

Expected skills and competencies

• Problem solving:
  • Able to actively identify problems and develop solutions.
  • Seeks information to identify the root cause of a problem.
  • Outlines clear steps to learn from any mistakes.
• Project management:
  • Has a working knowledge of projects.
  • Able to prioritise tasks.
• Relationship management:
  • Works proactively to initiate and develop new relationships.
  • Able to see issues from the stakeholder’s point of view.
• Analysis and research:
  • Able to interpret and effectively communicate results.
  • Able to support and undertake analysis to provide insights.
• Interpersonal behaviours:
  • Demonstrates awareness of self and others.
  • Reads situations and develops appropriate solutions to influence people.

Bands 8a-8b

Example roles

• Head of sustainability
• Energy and sustainability manager
• Carbon and energy manager

Expected skills and competencies

• Problem solving:
  • Able to apply broad thinking to own area of work.
  • Thinks long-term in a multifaceted way.
  • Able to make decisions and identify relevant facts.
  • Able to translate complex ideas into simple messages.
• Project management:
  • Proactive in taking on work, yet still delegates effectively.
  • Able to balance short- and long-term priorities.
  • Able to establish a culture that ensures team deadlines are met.
• Relationship management:
  • Able to bring together groups across organisations.
  • Deliberately fosters strategic internal and external relationships.
• Analysis and research:
  • Able to recognise where analysis is needed.
  • Able to present analysis, adjusting to the audience.
  • Able to quickly judge and direct the evidence and analysis that needs to be undertaken.
• Interpersonal behaviours:
  • Recognises underlying needs and motivations of stakeholders and responds accordingly.
  • Able to anticipate future needs, and what current trends will mean for these.

Bands 8c-9

Example roles

• Associate director of estates
• Greener NHS regional programme lead
• Director of sustainability
• Director of estates and facilities management
• National estates sustainability lead.

Expected skills and competencies

• Problem solving:
  • Able to develop long-term business strategies.
  • Creates new concepts and approaches to challenges.
  • Establishes courses of action which link short-term objectives to long-term goals.
• Project management:
  • Able to proactively manage workload on behalf of programmes/teams/portfolio.
  • Ensures there is capacity to meet demands.
  • Sets direction.
• Relationship management:
  • Utilises various networks for strategic growth.
  • Uses networks creatively to align NHS offerings with future customer needs.
• Analysis and research:
  • Provides strategic direction for analytical work.
  • Ensures findings appropriately applied.
• Interpersonal behaviours:
  • Able to communicate their vision in a way that gains support and commitment from others.
  • Demonstrates an appropriate response in all situations.

Green career pathways: NHS estates and facilities

Sustainability: general roles

A large proportion of roles relating to net zero and sustainability in the NHS are more generally defined.

For example, a sustainability officer or sustainability lead is likely to have responsibilities relating to each of the areas covered below: energy, waste, travel, biodiversity, etc.

Example roles include:

• Sustainability apprentice
• Sustainability officer
• Head of sustainability
• ICS senior net zero programme manager (NHS England)

Example sustainability responsibilities by band:

• Bands 2-3: Administrative responsibilities.
• Bands 4-5: Support department to raise awareness for sustainability programmes, data input and participate in net zero audits.
• Bands 6-7: Develop programmes for sustainability initiatives, collate data and report on progress and lead meetings with other departments.
• Bands 8a and above: Develop strategies, report to board, lead engagement with external stakeholders, develop business cases and secure funding.

Energy

Building energy accounts for the majority of estates and facilities’ carbon emissions. It is the top priority for transitioning to a net zero NHS estate by 2040. Roles in energy focus on reducing consumption, improving efficiency and transitioning to renewable energy sources.

It is vital the NHS grows its skilled energy workforce to deliver its net zero targets. This is particularly important as NHS sites develop heat decarbonisation plans to ensure they can move from fossil fuel energy sources.

Example roles include:

• Net Zero Energy Apprentice
• Energy Manager
• Head of Energy
• NHSE Net Zero Carbon Technical Lead

Example energy efficiency and decarbonisation responsibilities by band

• Bands 2-3: Meter readings, identification of energy waste, maintenance and repairs.
• Bands 4-5: Data input and carry out energy audits.
• Bands 6-7: Check data, energy efficiency projects identification, development and management, business case development, energy and carbon reporting.
• Bands 8a and above: Project development and management, staff management and budget responsibility.

Waste

In 2019/20, estates and facilities collected and processed 624,000 tonnes of waste. This waste has a significant negative environmental impact, resulting from the greenhouse gas emissions released during management processes such as incineration, and from decomposing landfill.

To achieve net zero, we must vastly reduce the quantity of waste we produce, re-using items where possible and ensuring that a greater proportion of the waste we cannot avoid is recycled. This demands roles within the estates and facilities that are skilled and dedicated to waste management.

Example roles include:

• Waste Operative
• Waste Co-ordinator
• Waste Environmental Officer
• Waste Manager

Example waste segregation responsibilities by band

• Bands 2-3: Waste collection and ensuring correct segregation.
• Bands 4-5: Carry out waste audits and input data from audits.
• Bands 6-7: Waste reporting for Environment Agency, engagement and training of staff, waste data analysis and business case development.
• Bands 8a and above: Responsibility for budgets, project management, staff management and reporting to board.

Travel

Approximately 3.5% (9.5 billion miles) of all road travel in England relates to patients, visitors, staff, and suppliers to the NHS, contributing around 14% of the system’s total emissions.

In addition to reducing carbon emissions, encouraging more sustainable travel options, such as active travel and public transport, can reduce pollution levels and improve patient, staff and community health and wellbeing.

Example roles include:

• Sustainable Travel Officer
• Sustainable Travel Co-ordinator
• Sustainable Travel Manager
• Head of Sustainability
• Senior Net Zero Travel and Transport Manager (NHS England)

Example active travel responsibilities by band

• Bands 2-3: Bike storage maintenance.
• Bands 4-5: Bike storage access management, communications with staff, survey data collection and carry out travel audits.
• Bands 6-7: Engage with local cycle forum, responsible for staff travel surveys, data analysis and staff engagement initiatives.
• Bands 8a and above: Liaising with local authorities about cycle infrastructure, active travel strategy and development.

Food

Estates and facilities are responsible for purchasing patient, staff and visitor food and providing catering services. Food and catering currently contribute to 6% of the NHS Carbon Footprint Plus. We must reduce food waste and the carbon footprint of the food we serve.

Example roles include:

• Chef
• Junior Catering Manager
• Catering Manager
• Head of Catering
• Senior Operational and Policy Manager

Example food waste management responsibilities by band

• Bands 2-3: Identify opportunities for food waste reduction, prepare and deliver patient and staff meals.
• Bands 4-5: Collate food waste data, deliver staff communications and carry out food waste audits.
• Bands 6-7: Analyse food waste data, develop programmes for reduction of food waste, develop staff/patient engagement initiatives and assessment of food waste management options.
• Bands 8a and above: Development of trust food and drink strategy and business case for food waste management technologies.

Data analytics

The collection and utilisation of good quality, real-time data is essential for making informed decisions around estate interventions for carbon reduction and measuring impact and progress.

Data analysis skills are applicable to a variety of roles in NHS estates at all levels. Dedicated data analyst roles are predominantly found centrally rather than at trust level. The NHS graduate management training scheme has health informatics and health analysis streams.

Few data analysis roles are below band 5, but activities that serve a data analysis function below band 5 have been included in the table below.

Example roles include:

• NHS management graduate training scheme
• Data analyst
• Senior data analyst
• Head of Data Analytics
• Principle Analyst – NHSE
• Head of Analytics – Greener NHS

Example data analysis responsibilities by band

• Bands 2-3: Meter reading.
• Bands 4-5: Data collation (energy, waste, water).
• Bands 6-7: (Trust-level) carbon footprint calculation, forecasting carbon impact of projects and monitoring progress against trust carbon targets.
• Bands 8a and above: (Central) measurement of NHS estates and facilities carbon footprint, national reporting, and monitoring against NHS carbon targets.

Biodiversity

Protecting existing and incorporating new green spaces into existing NHS sites, construction projects and major refurbishments can positively impact the mental and physical health of patients, staff and the local community, while enhancing biodiversity.

Roles dedicated to biodiversity in the NHS are few but increasing in number. In trusts, projects might be coordinated and delivered by estates and sustainability leads, supported by therapy staff or clinical leads.

Nature Recovery Rangers, funded by the Centre for Sustainable Healthcare, were introduced in 2021 and have led biodiversity projects on trust sites, involving patients, staff, and local community.

Healthcare roles, including green social prescribing positions, help to ensure green spaces are protected delivering potential health benefits to patients, staff and communities.

Example roles include:

• Grounds and Gardens Assistant
• Nature Recovery Ranger (funded by the Centre for Sustainable Healthcare)
• Social Prescribing Linked Worker (work closely with estates staff)

Example green space responsibilities by band

• Bands 2-3: Grounds maintenance/gardening.
• Bands 4-5: Biodiversity and nature recovery projects on-site; staff, patient and volunteer engagement on-site.
• Bands 6-7: Scoping and planning of biodiversity projects, staff and patient opinion surveys, impact measurement and analysis.
• Bands 8a and above: Development of estate and biodiversity and green space strategy.

Training offers and career development

This section details some of the training and resources that NHS employees or candidates could consider to enhance their sustainability and general leadership skills to support further career development. Training examples include:

Carbon literacy training

This is a great introduction to climate issues within an organisation. Many trusts deliver carbon literacy training (CLT) to staff. CLT E-learning modules for healthcare staff will be available from summer 2023: carbonliteracy.com

IEMA (Institute of Environmental Management & Assessment)

The IEMA offers a broad range of sustainability and net zero training courses for people at all levels of their career: IEMA – Training

Centre for Sustainable Healthcare (CSH)

Short courses in sustainability, health and healthcare at the CSH provide a range of foundation and technical courses in sustainability, health and healthcare.

Apprenticeships

A great way to access specialist training. Many apprenticeships are being offered across the NHS, including Level 3 Junior Energy Manager apprenticeship and the Level 4 Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability Practitioner apprenticeship. Home / Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education

Management and leadership training

For example, the NHS Leadership Academy. Leadership Academy – Better Leaders, Better Care, Brighter Future

Self-development

This can include reading your trust’s/nearest NHS organisation’s Green Plan, which should be available on their website.

This will set out clear aims for progressing to net zero. In addition, the Greener NHS programme includes extensive guidance and policy documentation: Greener NHS.

Further information is available on the Greener NHS Training Hub.

Case studies: NHS estates sustainability team structures

The below structures are examples of existing estates teams responsible for delivering sustainability and net zero targets in a range of NHS trusts.

Liverpool University Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust (Transformation and Sustainability team)

University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust

Case studies: NHS estates green career pathways

Beth Dury, Sustainability Project Officer, North Bristol NHS Trust

A little bit about my role

I co-ordinate our Sustainability Advocate Programme and focus on enabling and encouraging sustainable travel for staff and patients.

Within this, I work closely with local authorities on various transport network projects.

How I got here

I studied Geography at Leicester University. After graduating, I volunteered for Sustrans (an organisation focused on sustainable transport) one day a week while working shifts at Costa Coffee.

I used this volunteering experience to gain my first role at the North Bristol Trust in 2017 as Sustainable Travel Co-ordinator. This role focused on encouraging sustainable travel for staff and patients, for example by reducing single occupancy vehicle journeys.

In 2019 I split my time between working as Sustainable Travel Co-ordinator and Sustainability Project Officer. In 2021, I started full time as Sustainable Project Officer.

Why estates and facilities?

I knew I wanted to pursue a career in sustainable development as I’m really interested in the links between human activity and our environment. However, I didn’t expect to start my career in a hospital. I’d never heard of a hospital focusing on sustainability, let alone having a whole sustainability team!

I quickly learnt that the healthcare sector has a vital role to play in reducing the impacts of climate change and in educating the community about why it’s such an important topic to address.

What I would say to anyone starting out on a career in sustainability

Explore lots of different opportunities and look for jobs in unexpected places. Getting experience whether it’s volunteering, a part time role or 1-2 weeks’ work experience, will really help open more doors.

Don’t underestimate networking – meet people working in the sector for a good understanding of what opportunities are available.

Jen Strong

Acting Group Sustainability Manager

Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust

A little bit about my role

I operationalise the trust’s Green Plan, ensuring the sustainability team are successfully delivering projects within our direct control, as well as co-ordinating with colleagues across the organisation who are leading on net zero projects beyond the scope of estates and facilities.

I oversee trust sustainability strategy and reporting and deliver projects relating to staff engagement and green spaces

How I got here

I studied Environmental Policy with Economics, and knew I wanted to work in the sustainability sector but found it difficult as a non-technical graduate finding a suitable entry level role.

My first permanent job was an accounts assistant in a small civil engineering firm and from here I moved into an environmental focused role as Environmental Co-ordinator within the same organisation.

Having built up practical workplace experience I was better placed to apply for sustainability roles in other sectors and went on to join Manchester Metropolitan University’s Environment Team. Here I found that I particularly enjoyed the communication and engagement side of sustainability, inspiring people to make positive changes in their day-to-day lives.

I joined the National Union of Students’ sustainability team, managing sustainability engagement programmes (Green Impact and Student Switch Off).

In 2020, I joined Manchester University NHS FT as a Senior Sustainability Project Officer, using my experience of staff engagement and green spaces. Most recently I have extended my remit further within the team taking on the role of Acting Group Sustainability Manager.

Why estates and facilities?

I’ve a passion for sustainability and within the healthcare sector this is often grounded within estates and facilities departments. I work closely with estates and facilities colleagues, but also spend a significant amount of time engaging and collaborating with wider clinical and non-clinical teams.

It’s an exciting time to be contributing to the NHS’s net zero carbon ambitions, and estates and facilities is a central component to this.

What I would say to anyone starting out on a career in sustainability

Sustainability provides a great foundation to work in different sectors and can support a breadth of skills from those needed for more technical roles (eg engineering, carbon foot printing) through to more softer skills (eg communication, influencing) in generalist roles.

Mark Foden

Head of Energy and Travel

Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust

A little bit about my role

My main focus is delivering decarbonisation schemes, for example the installation of LED lighting and installation of heat pumps.

How I got here

I studied Environmental Chemistry at Salford University, where I focused on the environmental side of my degree.

I then spent eight years working in environmental regulation and the environmental business unit at Groundwork. My work involved supporting small and medium-sized companies to improve their environmental performance.

I was frustrated by the fact that consultancy services left it to the business to decide whether they actually wanted to implement measures to improve environmental performance, so I wanted to work within an organisation in implementing Net Zero directly.

I moved to Manchester City Council, where I spent four years as the Social and Economic Gain Manager.

From there, I moved into the NHS as the Energy and Environment Manager at the University of South Manchester Hospital Trust, and then became Head of Energy when the Manchester trusts merged to create MFT.

Why estates and facilities?

I wasn’t particularly aware of it before I joined the NHS, and it was the job itself that attracted me to EFM. Now, I see that potential impact that the NHS can have, simply due to its scale.

What I would say to anyone starting out on a career in sustainability

Sustainability is part of everything, including efficiency. Work out what are you are interested in more generally, and then see how you can incorporate sustainability into your work.

Niamh Malone

Net Zero Apprentice

Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

A little bit about my role

I am part of a sustainability team in estates at Leeds Teaching Hospitals while also being a part of the National NHS Estates and Facilities team.

My role involves assisting those in both teams to increase and improve sustainability across the NHS. As an apprentice I support multiple roles, giving me an idea of what I am particularly interested in.

For example, recently I have been helping with waste audits. This consists of visiting wards across LTHT and assessing them based on how well they are complying with regulations, segregation etc.

I attended the 2022 IHEEM conference with some of the National NHS Estates and Facilities team. This further sparked my interest in sustainable healthcare and allowed me to learn more about the entirety of the subject.

How I got here

I was mid-way through my second year of A Levels when I had decided that university wasn’t for me. I started looking at apprenticeships near me and stumbled across this role.

It was the first apprenticeship I saw that really excited me; I already had a great deal of interest in sustainability.

Why estates and facilities?

From a young age I knew that I wanted to help others in my future career. A job in sustainability not only benefits the people close to me but everyone in the country, it was a perfect fit for me.

What I would say to anyone starting out on a career in sustainability

A ‘Green Career’ is the way forward, it is both rewarding and necessary for the planet to continue to thrive.

Within the NHS you will be extremely well looked after which allows you to grow and find the career for you.

Stewart Walsh

Sustainable Travel Officer

Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

A little bit about my role

My role is focused on sustainable travel, concentrating on how staff, visitors and patients travel to and from hospitals in the local and regional area.

Travel is a wide-ranging subject and among other things focuses on reducing carbon emissions, increasing active travel and supporting better public transport.

How I got here

I have worked in active travel and behaviour change sector for the last 15 years with small and national charities including Sustrans and Cycling UK delivering projects and training in communities, education, tourism and workplaces.

Why estates and facilities?

I am passionate about active travel and sustainability, this role within estate and facilities representing the largest employer in the region helps on delivering greater and more meaningful change in a short period of time.

What would I say to anyone starting out on a career in sustainability?

Go for it! Every day is different, exciting and brings challenges that can help build a variety of skills and experience in an expanding and vitally important industry.

Natalja Irbe

Sustainable Waste Manager

University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW)

A little bit about my role

I work as the Sustainable Waste Manager at UHBW, looking at all aspects of waste from the operational to strategic side. I work together with the Sustainability team on achieving our carbon neutral goals, focusing on our goal of zero waste to landfill by 2025.

How I got here

I am originally from Latvia and came to the UK in 2006. My first 10 years living in the UK I spent working in the hospitality sector – namely hotels, progressing all the way to area manager for an outsourced cleaning company.

In 2017, I joined UHBW as a services co-ordinator. After spending almost 5 years in managing service contracts, the time had come to challenge myself a bit.

During my years managing service contracts I had crossed paths with waste on different levels and when the trust created a waste manager role in the sustainability department it caught my eye. I applied for the job and was successful on being shortlisted.

I have now been a Sustainable Waste Manger for over a year, and I can say it has been the right decision. Every day I learn something new; it gives me purpose; I can see the difference that we as a trust, and as a country, are making in being more sustainable.

Why estates and facilities?

Somehow, throughout my work career I have always been in the facilities management side of the business.

When I was looking at the Sustainable Waste Manger role, both the job and the division attracted me, and after working within this division I can see that it’s a highly important building block to any successful organisation.

What would I say to anyone starting out on a career in sustainability?

Don’t be afraid of trying something new, you never know where the road will lead you.

Sustainability is all around us, you may be doing it already on daily basis without noticing.

It’s so rewarding seeing your passion blossoming into something amazing.

Tom Stewart

Senior Net Zero Innovations Manager

NHS England

A little bit about my role

I identify, evaluate, and help to spread innovative technologies and practices that help the NHS reduce its Estates carbon footprint. I do this by bringing NHS organisations and product owners together to trial new technologies.

How I got here

I studied Mechanical Engineering at Newcastle University before working as a design engineer, predominantly working on projects in the offshore energy sector.

I was interested in exploring a career outside of engineering, so I started looking at graduate schemes and found the NHS Graduate Management Training Scheme, which I joined in September 2016. During the scheme, I worked in three roles across the NHS, including as Assistant Service Manager.

On finishing the scheme, I worked as Patient Services Manager for Women’s and Children’s Services. I decided to move to London, but wanting to stay with the NHS, I found a job at Imperial College Healthcare where I worked as Business Efficiency Manager for Medicine.

Having only worked for provider organisations (ie in hospitals), I decided to look for a job at NHS England, so applied for a job in the Outpatient Transformation Programme where I worked as a Personalised Follow-up Manager.

In November 2021, I decided to broaden my skills further by exploring sustainability and I moved to my current role.

Why estates and facilities?

I’m passionate about the NHS and working to improve it. Having not worked in estates and facilities before I thought this would be a good opportunity to broaden my skills.

This role in particular appealed to me as it took me back to my engineering roots.

What I would say to anyone starting out on a career in sustainability

If you are working in a non-sustainability role, engage with your Net Zero plan, or encourage the organisation to draw one up.

This will give you sustainability experience and make it easier to transition into a career in net zero.

Simran Sansoy

Net Zero Senior Analyst

NHS England

A little bit about my role

The NHS NZC Delivery Plan is supported by data at every stage.

My role is to ensure that we have sufficient data to work out whether we are meeting the plan, and to see which initiatives will help us deliver our goals.

I’m also working on a waste dashboard that will help trusts to cut down on their costs and carbon emissions by reducing their waste.

How I got here

I studied Chemical Engineering at Imperial University. In my penultimate year, I did an engineering internship at Proctor & Gamble, which explored the ways in which they could make energy savings. This sparked my interest in exploring sustainability as a career.

Upon graduating I joined the EY actuary graduate scheme, and I worked there for five years until I decided that I wanted to work in a job with a bit more of an impact.

My current role combines my interests in sustainability and healthcare and my data skills, so it is perfect.

Why estates and facilities?

Coming from outside the NHS I wasn’t really sure of what estates and facilities actually was. It was the appeal of the job itself, and meeting the team that I would work with, that really brought me into the estates and facilities world.

Working in the national team appealed to me because of the opportunity it presented to work with complex problems and have an influence across the entire NHS.

What I would say to anyone starting out on a career in sustainability

Go for it! The industry is so necessary and such an exciting place to work. I’ve learnt so much from transitioning into sustainability, and I’ve been able to develop skills that are applicable to any industry.