Meet Darren.
A day in the life of Darren.
I joined Sava in 2021 having just finished a computer science degree at Lancaster university where I graduated with a 2:1. Sava were advertising for a Data Specialist on GraduateJobs, and when I read the job description I thought it was a perfect fit between my degree and my desire to work in the sustainability sector.
I’m currently working in the analytics team on the technology side of the company as a Senior Technical Consultant. My role involves helping our social landlord customers understand the energy efficiency attributes of their housing stock, assisting them in benchmarking their current performance and providing insight into how to improve it. At any one time, I could be juggling many consultancy assignments and internal projects on the go, so it can get pretty hectic managing client demands, particularly when there is a deadline for Government funding that requires our data analysis.
A recent project has been for Cottsway Housing Association. I’ve been working with them to help develop an energy baseline across their stock by amalgamating data from various sources and running it through some of our in-house tools that highlights any irregularities within the data that needs to be reviewed. I’ve been able to use what I learnt in my computer science degree to further develop some of these tools to better fit the needs of specific customers and provide bespoke services. I’m also regularly in contact with another housing association called Soha, I’ve been working with their director of property services on querying current Intelligent Energy plans to ascertain data quality and future works to their stock. It’s very satisfying to get feedback from the clients we have worked with on how the projects we have completed have helped provide clarity on how to improve their current dataset and how to also reduce the carbon emissions from their housing stock, something some clients were previously in the dark about!
I help customers get the best out of energy analysis software – Sava Intelligent Energy. I now present webinars to up to 40 people at a time on the software and how to use it to help manage your housing stock. The first one was a bit daunting, but now it’s second nature and I enjoy presenting and knowing I am helping customers.
Diverse and inclusive
What do I like about working at Sava? I’m constantly given the opportunity to push myself out of my comfort zone ranging from running meetings with clients (in person and online), presenting webinars and developing new and existing products that will benefit our customers. My personal development is also regularly reviewed, and I’m encouraged to undertake external training – for instance, I am now a qualified Domestic Energy Assessor and attend conferences and industry events to get a broader understanding of the sector so that I can add more value in the consultancy assignments I undertake for our clients.
The company culture is very friendly and there are a lot of interesting and fun company events to attend ranging from visiting Housing conferences to social events such as minigolf and even indoor skydiving!
In my spare time, I like to go to the local nature reserve and go for chilled-out walks while listening to podcasts. I also like attending drum and bass events which is quite the opposite to the first thing, but probably more fun!
Darren
Senior Technical Consultant, Sava
Environment & Social
Sustainability isn’t something we just talk to others about. Sava strives every day to reduce our environmental footprint, enhance employee well-being, and making positive social impact through our work and the way we run our firm.