Ready for a New Year!
And…We’ve wrapped up another incredible year at Consultus!
2024 has been a year of continuity and growth, with many promotions within the business, successful projects, exciting events and new opportunities. While ongoing projects progressed as planned, we also embraced fresh directions to further deepen and enhance our relationship with clients. The year was marked by both achievement and innovation, so we’re incredibly proud of all that we’ve accomplished.
Now who’s ready for 2025? Well,Consultus Corner definitely is! We’ve prepared an exciting and engaging January edition for you.
In this issue, we’ll introduce you to our new starters, share updates from the International team and provide the latest news from the Net Zero team.
You’ll also find some handy tips for working from home, ways to maintain mental health during the holidays and, of course, our Head 2 Head feature – where Consultus Corner’s own Sanjay aims to bring home the trophy!
For those who missed the Christmas Party and the Gingerbread House Competition, don’t worry – we’ve captured the best moments, including the winners and are thrilled to celebrate these talented individuals as part of the Consultus family.
December was a month filled with a festive spirit, yet it's also a time for reflection, where we pause to look back and realise just how quickly another year has gone by. We take a moment to appreciate the journey, the milestones and the connections that have shaped our year.
Enjoy this read and we hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and are off to a fantastic start to the New Year! Here’s to 2025 and to many more celebrations and successes ahead!
The Consultus Corner Team
Craig Chloe Ioana Jen Sanjay
A word from the Heads of Department
by Gavin McCormick - Head of Consultancy (Key Accounts)
I’ve started 2025 with quite a lot of reflection over the past couple of years, in particular how much my life has changed and also how much the sector has changed in the 24 years I’ve been working in it.
This has got me thinking about what I write here, as I’m conscious that there has been plenty of updates, focusing on the recent structural changes which doesn’t need repeating again. I could spend 475 words talking about Lego Star Wars or the multitude of different words to describe a bread roll this side of the Watford Gap – but no-one wants to hear me rant on, yet again, about whether it’s a bap or a cob or, for some weird reason, a batch! Go a little bit North and it’s a Cob Scuffler (eh?) and then a bit to the left and it’s a Morning Roll! Maybe it’s time for a salad!
However, distractions aside, I’ve spent 24-years working across the industry, firstly at EnergyQuote JHA which was a fantastic growth story, culminating in an acquisition by Accenture and then latterly Beond Group, which was more boutique. They were acquired by eEnergy and joined by Utility Team. The industry is really quite small ,with most people knowing everyone in some way or another, so I feel as though my aged wisdom is helped by knowing a lot of people in a lot of TPIs. The other reason it keeps sticking in my mind is because Erica Staley politely reminded me, at the Christmas party ,that she’s been alive less than I’ve been working in this industry! Thanks Erica :-)
With reflection comes motivation for me and I want to use my opportunity to talk about Consultus from an
outsider’s perspective. as I believe we have the working morale of a company 20 years ago, with the structure and vision of a company leading from the front. Why do I say this?
No TPI is perfect. We all have our 'niggles' and the odd horrible product, which just keeps being kicked down the road. Each of us have that one thing, that just seemed like a good idea but wasn’t. The strive for perfection is a long road, which just never seems to end!
Going back 20 years ago, as an industry. we strived for client perfection, focused more on what was right for the client and had a lot less products to deliver, so became better at a smaller number of things. As we move up to the present day, the industry has lost sight of this, as product expansions spread TPIs out into a lot of areas without the luxury of cash to fund them, as we all strive to reach out into the Net Zero world. This has been clouded by financial ambitions, growth to exit strategies and greater levels of competition..
This is where my moment of reflection comes in and the reason for my diatribe, if you’ve made it this far. Our differentiator is a 100% reflection of our people. It’s quite strange, in this day and age, to find a company that truly cares about its clients, maintains a vision which seeks to drive client success and is backed by people who care over and above profit (although having profit is definitely a must have!).
I can truly say that I’ve not worked at a company with so many fantastic people in a very long time. The way in which we all come together to
solutionise problems, deal with issues and drive the business forward is a testament to each and every one of you, not because we’ve come up with some clever ideas, but because we do what we do without toxicity or negativity but with a really strong sense of pride, ambition and camaraderie. I believe that this foundation of people and our values will be what takes Consultus into the next 10-years as a market leader!
Gavin McCormick
Assured Energy : UPDATE by Hiren & Sam
As we come to the end of Q3 of FY24/25, we wanted to give a quick update from Assured Energy.
Starting with the numbers, Assured’s sales YTD date is £2,391,405 (April 1st 2024 - October 31st 2024). An amazing number from the sales team!
Since January 2024, Assured Energy have saved small to medium businesses, nationwide, over £8m!
Great work from the whole team in supporting these businesses!
We also want to give a shoutout to the Ops Team who are also presenting some impressive stats:
1,733 total contracts, with an average of 247.57 contracts completed per month EAC/AQ confirmation at 99% which is largely thanks to Perse Customer care queries:
• Opened – 126
• Closed – 115
• 91.2% of queries have been closed
A great achievement from the Ops Team!
Assured Energy are still boasting a five-star Trustpilot rating, while also ranking No 1 in the Energy and Power category with 776 reviews (at the time of writing). We are very proud of this achievement, as there are many other businesses fighting for top spot. For us to achieve this consistently is amazing!
Alongside our Trustpilot score, our CSAT Smiley Face FYTD is also 5 out of 5, with 180 clicks. The team are being featured in the top three, almost every month, for these clicks. Well done!
We want to give a massive congratulations to Ian Hodges, who has not only passed his six-month probation but has pulled in some fantastic numbers.
Ian joined the Assured family in April 2024. His overall responsibility is to generate appointments for the direct sales team via outbound dialling,
attending networking events and selfgenerating.
His hard work, commitment and loyalty has not gone unnoticed since he joined, and his inputs/outputs have been at a high standard. Ian has achieved 90 leads generated, 37 sold and over £26k in revenue generated. As well as this, Ian has also generated two Net Zero leads for Consultus. Keep up the great work Ian!
Assured Energy have also rolled out Employee of the Quarter awards within the team. The results of Q1 and Q2 are as follows:
Q1 Winner – Vicky Kenney
Vicky was a welldeserved winner in Q1. She has been supporting her line manager with leading day-to-day activities, running morning and afternoon huddles, managing complex customer care queries and taking on some financerelated key tasks.
Her development journey throughout her 3.5 years tenure has been great and the management team here at Assured Energy would like to thank her again for her hard work, loyalty and commitment.
Q2 Winner – Damien Garcia Damien was another well-deserved winner in Q2. Not only has Damien been exceeding his monthly KPIs, but he has also been assisting witth strategy for the telemarketing sales channel, hepling new starters with training/coaching and supporting management with additional tasks.
see him continue to develop in the future. The management team here at Assured Energy would like to thank you again for your hard work, loyalty and commitment.
There have also been some changes within the Assured team.
Business restructure across the group
• Led to a divide where Sam Edwards is segwaying into Group Services. It feels strange to have no Kel and only Kenan, but we are continuing to work closely together to continue to support the growth of Assured Energy and the wider Group Services.
Growing Assured’s Operations Team to support with the great sales numbers we have delivered
Welcoming Armin Peroznejad into the Centre of Excellence channel, which means he is working even more closely with the Assured team
• Since Armin moved into this role in October, he has attended many networking events and managed to generate 30 appointments for the Consultus sales teams!
His development journey throughout his 3.5 years tenure has been sensational, and we are excited to
Canal River Trust – Diwali event
• Assured Energy were the headline sponsor of this event. It was a great opportunity to network and to celebrate Diwali!
Leicester Business Festival
• It was a great opportunity to build our brand awareness across the Leicester Business Community, as a sponsor, also attending their opening and closing events
• Hosted a networking event at Lane 7 –negotiations are underway with onboarding new clients/partners.
NEC Travel and Tourism event
Ashby Connect networking event
Hiren Kanabar Sam Edwards
Armin Peroznejad
Vicky Kenney
Damien Garcia
Ian Hodges
Two Opposite Effects of Climate Change: The UK and Amazon Rainforest NET ZERO CLIMATE NEWS :
As climate change intensifies, its effects on weather patterns and eco-systems become more evident. Recent data highlights two distinct impacts: increased rainfall in the UK and severe droughts in the Amazon rainforest. These contrasting effects underscore the complex and widespread nature of climate change, urging us to adopt more sustainable practices in our daily lives and workplaces.
Why Climate Change is Leading to More Rain in the UK
In recent years, the UK has seen a rise in intense and frequent rainfall. The winter of 2024, for example, was the eighth wettest on record and early spring continued this trend, with England and Wales experiencing 1.5 times their usual March rainfall. This change is largely due to the warming atmosphere’s increased ability to hold moisture. For every 1°C increase in temperature, the atmosphere can hold about 7% more water vapor, causing heavier downpours when it rains.
Warmer weather is not the only factor. Shifts in global wind patterns, particularly the jet stream, are also contributing. The jet stream has positioned more low-pressure systems over the UK, which act like 'sponges' absorbing moisture. Due to climate change, these systems now hold even more water, resulting in heavier, longer rainfall when they pass over land.
In September 2024, counties like Gloucestershire and Oxfordshire recorded more than three times their average rainfall. Instead of late-summer warmth, the UK saw uncharacteristic autumnal rains. Scientists warn that as global temperatures rise, such extreme rainfall events are likely to become more common.
Climate Change and the Amazon: A Vital Ecosystem at Risk
While the UK experiences more rain, the Amazon rainforest is facing severe drought. Known as the 'lungs of the planet,' the Amazon plays a crucial role in regulating the global climate by absorbing large amounts of CO2.
“Counties like Gloucestershire and Oxfordshire recorded more than three times their average rainfall”
However, rising temperatures and changing weather patterns have led to record droughts, disrupting ecosystems and communities that depend on the forest.
Two main factors contribute to the Amazon’s drought: reduced rainfall during dry seasons and increased evaporation due to higher temperatures. This weakens the Amazon’s hydrological cycle, in which trees release water into the atmosphere, influencing rainfall and regulating the regional climate. As this system deteriorates, the forest becomes more vulnerable to dry periods, and large portions could transform into a savanna-like landscape by 2050.
This shift would have significant consequences. The Amazon’s ability to absorb CO2 would decline, releasing more carbon into the atmosphere and accelerating global warming. If the Amazon reaches a 'tipping point,' it could become a net emitter of CO2, triggering a feedback loop that worsens climate change.
What We Can Do to Make a Difference
The contrasting impacts of climate change emphasize the need for sustainable decision-making. By reducing carbon emissions, minimizing waste, conserving water and choosing sustainable products, we can help mitigate climate change. Every small action counts toward a healthier, more sustainable planet.
SANJAY SANJOT
SANJAY DAHYA SANJOT RAJBANSH
Ladies and gentlemen, we are back once again with another exciting Head to Head – this time we’ve got a battle of Sanjay vs Sanjot: Sanjay Dahya (Marketing Executive) and Sanjot Rajbansh (International Reporting Analyst).
Beth Whittaker (ESG Consultant) has kindly stepped in to be our referee, so the person with the most matching answers to Beth’s will be our crowned winner! So, who will win... Marketing or International?
BETH WHITTAKER REFEREE
Question Sanjay Dahya Sanjot Rajbansh
And our winner is... International’s’ very own Sanjot Rajbansh, who had 9 matching answers!!! Sadly, in second place, Sanjay Dahya had 8 matching answers – so close!
Mental health
over the holidays
The most common reason for mental health struggles over the holidays is known to be loneliness, which we all experience from time to time. While the festive season and new year can be a time of joy and connection, it can sometimes also have the complete opposite effect, making us feel lonely, demotivated and disconnected.
The pressure to be part of festive fun, feeling and acting happy can be tough, when we feel excluded from it.
Here are some things you can try that may help: -
• Explore different ways of finding connection
Connection is so important for our mental health and it comes in different forms. Connection isn’t just about being surrounded by people; we can feel it when we do little things like:
• Chatting to a stranger on the bus.
• Having a phone call with a friend .
• Helping a neighbour with their bins.
• Petting animals.
• Volunteer in your local community
Kindness and giving back to the community can make us feel good and give us an opportunity to connect with others. Volunteers are often in high demand, particularly during the winter season, which can keep you busy, give you a chance to connect with others and boost your mood.
• Plan to do things you enjoy to keep you busy
Planning things to look forward is good for your mental health, so try to get a few things in the diary. Doing things that you enjoy and are good at can boost your mood and self-esteem massively. Try to do activities that keep you busy and your mind stimulated.
• Open up about how you’re feeling
This can feel hard, as you may be worried you’ll put a damper on the festivities, but our loved ones want to be there for us and want to help. It can also really help to call a helpline, as talking to someone you don’t know can sometimes make it easier to talk freely and be honest about your feelings. They might be able to help you work out what will help you.
• Join an online community
There are lots of advantages to connecting with people online, if we do it safely.
Have you got any interests or hobbies? Try searching for online communities where people connect to talk about it, you might just enjoy reading the discussions, or you may want to join in and even make new friends.
You can also use online communities to find people to talk to who have shared similar experiences to you.
Below are some contact details you may find helpful, either for yourself or for someone you know and care for:
Anxiety UK: Advice and support for people living with anxiety.
03444 775 774 (helpline) 07537 416 905 (text) anxietyuk.org.uk
Cruse Bereavement Support: Information and support after a bereavement. 0808 808 1677 cruse.org.uk
Samaritans: Open 24/7 for anyone who needs to talk.
116 123 (freephone) jo@samaritans.org
Freepost SAMARITANS LETTERS samaritans.org
You can also visit some Samaritans branches in person
Papyrus HOPELINEUK: Confidential support for under-35s at risk of suicide and others who are concerned about them. Open 24 hours, 7 days a week. 0800 068 41 41 07860 039967 (text) pat@papyrus-uk.org papyrus-uk.org
We also have our own Consultus Mental Health First Aiders, who are here to support you at any time. If you’d like to speak to someone at work, please do not hesitate to reach out to:
,
Please remember, you are cared for, and you are valued by those around you.
Peter Murdock
Yeliz Asim, Rob Davison, Steve Atkins, Jordan Bradley or Amy Copson People
Peter Murdock
Rob Davison
Jordan Bradley
Yeliz Asim
Steve Atkins
Amy Copson
The International Team: 12-MONTH RECAP
As we approach the Christmas Break, it’s a great time to recap on what’s been a busy and transformative year for the International Team.
Before we get into it, I wanted to take the time to shout-out the International Team for the hard work they have put in throughout their short (but prosperous) time since joining the business. Commonly referred to amongst themselves as ‘Team Slay’ (the Gen Zs amongst us know!) the team have risen to every challenge thrown at them over the last eight months, despite all being new to the business this year. We’ve even had two Employee of the Month awards (well done George Birrell) in our midst, with Sanjot Rajbansh earning a well-deserved shoutout in October’s publication.
It goes without saying that team-work and collaboration are at the centre of everything we do at Consultus and the International Team are no exception. Thanks for the hard work team –onwards and upwards!
Summary Overview:
In November 2023, the business won Nike as a new client, which saw the team successfully onboard a portfolio of 17 territories, expanding our active network of countries to an impressive 21. The team signed also signed our first Greek contract, as well as expanding our Australian coverage to the Tasmanian market.
Since January 2024, the team have saved a whopping €450k for Nike through cost avoidance exercises, quickly demonstrating the value-add of a centralised, strategic approach to pan-European consultancy services.
The team have saved a further €256k in deposit elimination on behalf of our clients for contracts running this year, with a further €295k saving in management fees. This takes our savings total to over €1 million this year, on behalf of our international clients.
In May 2024, we had our first ever inperson International Supplier Meeting, with one of our Key Strategic Partners,
Vattenfall Netherlands. The first of many more to come!
Following a successful pilot, with the help of Martin Smith and his team, we are now in the process of outsourcing data and invoice collection services for all International Bill Validation clients to a third-party provider, Energy Logix, which is another significant milestone in our journey towards streamlining and automation.
It goes without saying that the next 12-months are an exciting prospect for the International Team. As we look toward the New Year, there are several key projects on the horizon, including the procurement of a thirdparty Languages Provider and many new and exciting multi-territory bids. The team will also be working with the Customer Experience team on the enhancement and automation of our MtM Report function, which will be pivotal in maintaining worldclass service as we continue to serve a number of high-value multi territory customers.
Grace Carpenter
Before we finish, let’s look at the Team’s 2024 highlights since joining this year: -
Iryna Krystun
International Procurement Analyst
What is your favourite thing about working in the International Team?
The adrenaline rush, during contract sign-offs, is my favourite part of working in the international team as a procurement analyst. It’s a moment where all the hard work, negotiations and collaboration come together. There’s a real sense of accomplishment when everything is finalized. What is one thing you have learned since being in your role?
Always trust your gut feeling!
What are you most looking forward to in the next 6-12 months within the team/your role?
I personally aim to become an expert in the role and contribute to exploring and entering new international markets. I’m proud to be a ‘Team Slay’ member and I’m very much looking forward to new challenges and opportunities.
Sanjot Rajbansh
International Reporting Analyst
What is your favourite thing about working in the International Team?
I like being able to work with global suppliers and experience different languages. And dressing smart for work!
What is one thing you have learned since being in your role?
Denmark produces 50% of their electricity from wind turbines!
What are you most looking forward to in the next 6-12 months within the team/your role?
I look forward to continuing to build my knowledge of different countries around the world and, hopefully, have a bunch of case studies where the whole team can have a clear understanding of the key points in each area
George Birrell
International Procurement Analyst
What is your favourite thing about working in the International Team?
First thing is the Variety of the Team’s mission.
We are constantly dealing with new territories, new products, new ways of thinking and doing business. No day is the same with a lot of variety. It means we can educate ourselves and build skills and knowledge that most normal clients would never be able to do.
Second thing is the team and the dynamic we have. I genuinely couldn’t think of a better bunch of people to work with, both on a professional level or a personal level. We all work well together, we synchronize, share the load, teach each other etc.
What is one thing you have learned since being in your role?
How to delegate better. This is something I’m still working on, but the team and the role have given me far more confidence in my ability to not only ask for help, but also help colleagues develop themselves.
What are you most looking forward to in the next 6-12 months within the team/your role?
I'm looking forward to some of our clients’ bigger renewal phases where we can synergise and produce lots of big results for some key clients!
Bhagy Joe Gummadi
International Procurement Analyst
What is your favourite thing about working in the International Team?
It never gets boring, there’s continuous learning involved as each tender comes with its own set of challenges and nuances. It gets interesting and fun to find some creative solutions to deliver timely recommendations to our clients. The interactions with suppliers, from different countries, help us gain an understanding of global perspectives. Finally, it's wholesome to be working within the team, as we help each other out with any questions or sharing the workload.
What is one thing you have learnt since being in your role?
One thing I have learned, since taking up the role, is gaining a deeper understanding of the global energy supply chains, the importance of attention to detail to optimise the contracts effectively, and negotiation skills.
What are you most looking forward to in the next 6-12 months within the team/your role?
In the next six months, I’m looking forward to growing more within my role, improving my communication and negotiation skills to create an impact and providing our clients with the best value from our services.
THE CONSULTUS 2024 Employee Awards
PROJECT OF THE YEAR :
Shield and Contract Audit
There were five projects, within the business, which stood out to the senior management team and directors, who voted accordingly.
The Weetabix S2 Feasibility Study, ETRM Trade Backlog, L&D - LMS Phase 2 and Client Development Plans were also given careful consideration.
The Shield and Contract Audit was given the nod, which has laid the foundations for a new technology architecture and improved revenue recognition stream.
This was described as taking “a huge amount of concentration and effort, working hard in the background, trying to get the business into a better position.”
On the winning team, having played key roles, were Niv Tejpal, Kirsty Nelson, Tamara Shepherd, Joanna Wypych, Liz Fox and David Shelton Knight (DSK).
UNSUNG HERO :
Hannah Prashad (Assured Energy)
The Unsung Hero award is a testament to the amount of colleagues who go above and beyond for the business.
There were 21 people who were nominated, by their fellow employees, with 13 of them receiving one vote, so get an honourable mention as follows:
Amy Kilsby, Chris Lupton, Dale Hall, Eva Szaszova, Jaskirat Bains, Liz Fox, Maria Appleton, Natalie Dunbar, Paula Evans, Talha Shaikh, Umair Munshi, Vicky Kenney and Yusuf Ahmed
Paul Gleaves, Niv Tejpal, Lena Pancholi, Damien Garcia and David Woon all had two votes, with Louise Bennett one ahead of them with three.
The award went to Hannah Prashad, Administration Team Manager for Assured Energy, with a whopping seven votes.
Hannah was described as an “amazing manager to have” and is now undertaking a personal development plan to become Ops Manager.
She started with Assured three years ago, initially only on a temporary basis, and has been an asset to the team ever since, bringing “positive energy” with her.
TEAM OF THE YEAR : Assured Energy
The directors shortlisted five teams to be recognised, with IT & Software and Finance also in the running, before the top three were announced.
Coming third was Net Zero (ESG & Sustainability) for their resilience, during a tough but resourceful year, which has laid foundations for the future.
In second place was Worldwide, managed by International team leader Grace Carpenter, who has put together a group that, initially, had no experience of the energy sector.
For the second time in three years, Assured Energy came in first position, after another hugely successful period in their eight-year history.
They will receive a £100 Deliveroo voucher, along with the award and bottles of fizz, which is a decent contribution towards a team lunch one day!
Making full use of the Savings Log, the Assured team were able to register over £8.5 million in cost savings over 2024, which made for eye-catching headlines.
Their next step will be to reach more than 800 Trustpilot reviews, having been regular leaders of our internal customer engagement platform, Simplesat.
Accepting Project of the Year is Tamara Shepherd (from second left), Kirsty Nelson, Joanna Wypych and David Shelton Knight (DSK)
Hannah accepts a bottle of fizz from Adam Madeley (Global Operations Director) and Stephen Lankfer (Associate Director)
Assured Energy receive the Team of the Year award, after a stellar performance from a close-knit business unit
SPECIAL RECOGNITION :
Hiren Kanabar and Sam Edwards (Assured Energy)
It’s widely accepted that Hiren Kanabar and Sam Edwards are two of the reasons why Assured Energy are such a success.
Presenting the award, Adam Madeley recalled how he and his fellow directors saw Assured as on the brink of closure, until Hiren and Sam made their presence felt.
Hiren came on board in 2018, with Sam joining him just under a year later. From there, Assured Energy have gone from strength to strength.
Building up a creditable brand that has become known as a SME specialist, along with cultivating relationships with clients and partners alike, has been their forte.
Their team regularly performs above expectations and are a credit to the business, with Hiren and Sam leading the charge.
Adam said on stage: “It’s not always been plain sailing. There have been some dark days but, in the two of you, we can always see the light. You bring a passion that is enviable.”
EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR :
David Woon (Ennovus Solutions)
Nine colleagues were considered to become the best in the business, for 2024, having excelled in their roles during that time.
They were Erica Staley, Vicky Kenney, Cameron Berry, Yusuf Ahmed, George Birrell, Nadine Ross, Taz Rees, David Woon and Atinder Mangat
Coming third was Yusuf Ahmed (Senior IT Support Manager), having claimed five votes and being described as a “bubbly character” who has been “a breath of fresh air.”
In second was Erica Staley (Customer Experience Technical Specialist), which landed her a £100 prize and a bottle of fizz.
Comments added to seven votes received described Erica as “having added significant value across her department and the wider business.”
The winner was David Woon (Net Zero Engineering Design Manager), through eight votes, taking home £500 and a trophy.
David was hailed as “invaluable,” having made an “immense contribution” to Ennovus Solutions, which was launched this year.
He said: “I was extremely pleased and proud to be awarded Employee of the Year, but the overriding emotion was one of surprise.
“I’m very fortunate to be working within a company full of diligent, talented, driven and genuinely lovely individuals, so it’s a privilege to be the recipient of this award.
“As a function, Ennovus have worked hard this year and to receive both individual and team recognition, through these nominations, is massively appreciated and motivating.
“I’m excited to continue to contribute to the growth of Ennovus, Consultus Sustainability and the wider group, into next year and beyond!”
SOME OTHER PICS FROM THE NIGHT...
Adam Madeley (left) and Stephen Lankfer (right) present Hiren Kanabar (second left) and Sam Edwards (second right) with a bottle of Grey Goose vodka
Erica Staley (centre) was the runner-up for the Employee of the Year award
It’s all smiles for Employee of the Year
David Woon (centre)
THE CONSULTUS 2024
Christmas Party
Consultus’ Christmas parties are normally epic and the 2024 event proved to be no different.
Held in a plush executive suite at Leicester City Football Club, colleagues dressed to impress and enjoyed a three-course meal, along with a few free drinks.
Consultus Corner invited those in attendance to send their pictures, from the night, which are featured on this page. As you can see, we were all in high spirits.
Nothing too controversial was captured, although why Assured Energy’s dangerous duo, Hiren Kanabar and Sam Edwards, jumped on a seated Peter Butler is anyone’s guess!
Find out or recall on page 12 who the winners were at the annual Consultus Employee Awards, along with those who were nominated. Well done to all.
Name: Grace Holmes
Start date: 11/11/2024
Department: Bureau Services
Job Title: Bureau Specialist
Fact: I went backpacking for six months around South East Asia and my favourite restaurant is Wagamama.
New Starters
Name: Lindsay Groves
Start date: 02/12/2024
Department: Consultus Sustainability
Job Title: Senior Consultant
Fact: I’m based in York, but grew up not far from Toronto. I studied wine-making when I was younger. I’m also a certified sommelier, so if anyone needs wine recommendations I can help!
Name: Gabija Sarkaite
Start date: 16/12/2024
Department: Consultancy Services
Job Title: Client Executive – Mid-Market
Fact: I love learning new languages. Spanish is something that I am working on currently and I’m also learning how to play tennis!
Charity Events AND
The Consultus Christmas Call for Charity was a fantastic opportunity to give something back to great causes in Leicester and Leicestershire.
Two fantastic local charities were chosen to benefit from our efforts, Toys On The Table and Falcon Support Services, and we delivered for both of them.
Yeliz Asim, Natalie Dunbar and Ross Schofield, who led the fundraising initiative, dropped new toys off to Toys On The Table, in Leicester city centre, personally.
This charity, which serves Leicester and Leicestershire, gives brand-new toys to under-privileged children, for Christmas, and has been in existence since the 1980s.
Falcon Support Services provide support for vulnerable people, who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, across Leicestershire and Rutland.
Donations, such as food and clothing, were given to Falcon, who are headquartered in Loughborough, along with more than £600, from 60 supporters, that was raised.
Assured Energy stepped out into the local community as sponsors of the Canal & River Trust’s Waterside Diwali Celebration. Hannah Prashad, Cassie Callender and Armin Peroznejad represented us and saw stunning scenes at the Leicester Outdoor Pursuits Centre (LOPC).
The event featured an enchanting LED Waterfall of Lights, music and an on-thewater lights paddle by ‘Wild Women Outdoor’ SUP group, adding a shimmering glow to the water.
In addition to the breathtaking light displays, there was Diwali-inspired crafts for free and bookable bell boat activities, on the water, and high-ropes adventures for thrill-seekers.
Yeliz Asim (from left) Natalie Dunbar and Ross Schofield by the Christmas tree at Consultus House, scoop up toys
Yeliz and Natalie with the team at Toys on the Table, after handing over donated new toys
Assured Energy’s Hannah Prashad (from second left), Cassie Callender and Armin Peroznejad arrive to support the Canal & River Trust
Let there be light! Armin and Cassie get into the mood of the event
Working from home
We don’t really call it working from home anymore, we just call it work. What once seemed like a pandemic necessity has now become the new norm. We recently sent out a survey to see what the Consultus WFH experience looks like, here’s what you had to say…
How do you feel about working from home?
• I f eel really good about working from home, as I save a lot of time by not commuting, and I can focus on my work much better.
• I enjoy the flexibility, the work-life balance is perfect with a young family.
• I enjoy working from home, but I also need interaction with my colleagues.
• I enjoy it for focusing on specific work, but dislike it because it’s unsocial and I struggle to split the day from staring at screens constantly.
• I find it incredibly helpful, as I have a disability, so working from home a llows me to work at my own pace, without the disruption of commuting.
• I love it! I still regularly come to the office, but appreciate that I could stay at home all week, if I wanted to.
Are you less, equally, or more productive when working from home?
• I 'm more productive as I like working in my own environment and I don’t have interruptions as much as I do in the office.
• Equally productive, I work as hard as I would in office, but actually do longer hours when working from home, because I don’t have to commute.
• More productive. as my job requires a high level of concentration and I can minimise distractions.
• In terms of output, I am more productive at home but, in terms of collaboration, the office is better.
• More productive, as I am able to adjust my work routine to fit my disabilities, without worrying about how it looks to others.
• A lot more productive, as I can focus better. I tend to work without taking formal breaks, which helps me get more done, although it may not be the healthiest habit.
What do you enjoy the most about working from home?
• I get time to do things I’d never find time for, like morning exercise and taking time to relax before work.
• I can enjoy more of my evening, as I'm not having to commute.
• Listening to the music that helps me concentrate best, without bothering others.
• Being able to shower or do housework. during lunch, and having my own fridge full of food!
• The flexibility to work in ways that allow me to adjust for my mental and physical capacity, as this fluctuates daily.
• When I get stressed, I cuddle my dogs and all is well again.
What do you enjoy the most about working in the office?
• I enjoy being around my colleagues and other teams, as I'm learning from others around me.
• Office banter.
• I do not want to be at home all day every day, it’s good to mix it up.
• Seeing and meeting people face-to-face builds better relationships.
• I can dress smart!
• You get to have more non work-related conversations in the office,
Do you have a WFH routine?
• I look after my daughter in the mornings, on my work from home days, and take over again straight after work.
• I try to get out for a walk, before starting work, and also try not to work too late if it’s not needed.
• My focus is at its highest in the morning, so I prioritise key tasks, during that time, to maximise productivity.
• I go to the gym before work, shower and get ready there. When I get home, I’m already ready to work, it acts like a bit of a commute.
• At the end of the day, I either go for a walk or run, to act as a break between living and working in the same place.
• I like to tidy the house before work, so that it doesn’t take up my downtime in the evening.
Do you find that working from home affects your wellbeing?
• It does in a positive way, as I get to see my relatives more.
• If I work from home for a long period of time, it can feel a bit cabin feverish.
• Yes, positively, due to personal commitments and the feeling of saving money from not travelling and ordering food, but negatively due to separating work from personal life and socialising.
• It has a very positive affect. Being in my home environment allows me to handle stress better, taking a few minutes to step away and mentally regroup, which often includes cuddling the cat!
• I do find it slightly lonely at times, which can affect my wellbeing, but my team is friendly and good at checking in with each other.
• Working from home improves my productivity and focus, which reduces work-related stress. However, I sometimes overthink tasks and feedback, skipping formal breaks, which could impact my wellbeing if I’m not careful.
Gingerbread House Making COMPETITION
On Wednesday 18th December, we brought a wholesome activity to life at Consultus House, where three teams competed (and very competitively) against each other, to create the bestlooking gingerbread house.
Volunteers for Team 1 were Armin Peroznejad, Neal Vyas and Cameron Berry, representing Assured Energy
In Team 2 we had Amie Schreder, Natasha Brookes, Muhammed Adam and Farha Rahman, representing Bureau Services
Team 3 was Harvey Horsfield and Eden Walsh from Consultancy Services, alongside Yeliz Asim, Net Zero Graduate
After 45 minutes of craftsmanship, Chloe Iveson and Ioana Zarnescu did their careful inspections and with help from guest judge Leena Patel, the winners were Harvey, Eden and Yeliz! They well and truly went the extra mile by using mini fudge bites to create a log cabin effect, and other
props such as using sticky notes to create a tree, a snowy polar bear and a star stuck to the front of the house. Well done Team 3!!!
Oh, and while this was all taking place, Craig Birch very much enjoyed eating some of the props too! :-)
Winners!: Team 3 (l-r) Yeliz Asim, Harvey Horsfield and Eden Walsh with Cameron Berry (second left)
Team 2: (l-r) Amie Schreder, Farha Rahman, Muhammed Adam and Natasha Brookes
Team 1: (l-r) Armin Peroznejad, Neal Vyas and Cameron Berry
