10 Quickfire Questions for 10 Leading Women in Energy – OLIVIA BREESE

To mark our 10th anniversary, we are asking 10 leading women in the UK energy sector 10 quick fire questions about their lives, their likes and what advice they would give to their 10-year-old self. 

 

Today’s Q&A is with Olivia Breese, who until recently was EVP of Region Europe at Ørsted and has built a successful career in offshore wind and the energy transition. Olivia is also one of our POWERful Women Ambassadors.

 

 

 

 

 

“What advice would I give to my 10-year-old self?  The characteristics that mark you as weird now will be your superpowers.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  1. Describe yourself in three words

Committed; energetic; late.

 

  1. What gets you up and into work in the morning?

The need to get kids onto the school doorstep before the door shuts – and a long-term commitment to the energy transition.

 

  1. What was your first job?

Manning the cake till at Fortnum & Mason.

 

  1. What has been your greatest challenge so far?

Balancing work life and personal life while enjoying both to the full.

 

  1. How do you relax and unwind after a long day?

Reading, yoga, messing about in our tiny jungle garden.

 

  1. What advice would you give now to your 10-year-old self?

The characteristics that mark you as weird now will be your superpowers (even if they still mark you as a bit weird).

 

  1. What change would you like to see happen within the next 10 years?

A global, holistic approach to the energy transition.

 

  1. What’s your best way to find inspiration when you’re feeling stuck or unmotivated?

At Ørsted I would walk around any location and stop to chat with people – I always came away with an insight, a joke, or having borrowed someone’s motivation.

 

  1. Who has supported or inspired you along your career journey?

I’ve been so lucky to always have inspirational and generous male bosses – but Joan MacNaughton was my POWERful Women mentor nearly 10 years ago and I often think of her wisdom and perspective.

 

  1. Why is the energy sector such an exciting place to work right now?

Because it’s at the intersection of geopolitics, the evolution of industry, social change and imagining a better future.

 

 

Olivia’s book recommendation:

 

‘How to Talk so Kids Will Listen and Listen so Kids Will Talk’ by Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish. Everyone wants to be recognised, heard and understood at all ages and in every scenario – this shows you how to do it.  Bonus points for the sibling version!