29 Dec 2024
10 Quickfire Questions for 10 Leading Women in Energy – Laura Sandys CBE
Laura Sandys CBE is a business entrepreneur and political innovator. In both politics and the corporate world, Laura has been an advocate for the low carbon economy, increasing demand reduction and sustainable food systems policies. Amongst many board roles, she is Chair of the Government’s Energy Digitalisation Taskforce, Chair of Green Alliance and NED at SSE Transmission. Laura founded Challenging Ideas, the award-winning Food Foundation and co-founded PfW. She was Conservative MP for South Thanet, serving as PPS to the Energy Minister.
The change I’d like to see within the next 10 years? I’d like to see us revolutionising our economy to address carbon and nature, through a programme of renewal based around fairness.”Laura Sandys CBE
1. Describe yourself in three words
Constantly curious. Needing to learn every day. Love working with people.
2. What gets you up and into work in the morning?
A determination to do whatever little I can to address climate change and build a fairer country for all.
3. What was your first job?
A despatch rider delivering parcels on a motor bike!
4. What has been your greatest challenge so far?
Knowing who I am – I am far too curious about everything to be able to focus on one thing.
5. How do you relax and unwind after a long day?
With a delicious glass of white wine talking to my husband on our balcony – he is everything to me.
6. What advice would you give now to your 10-year-old self?
Go into engineering. Not that I would have been a traditional engineer, but it gives you a very structured approach to tasks!
7. What change would you like to see happen within the next 10 years?
We have to address the climate crisis and also the nature crisis. I would like to see us revolutionising our economy to address carbon and nature through a programme of renewal based around fairness.
8. What’s your best way to find inspiration when you’re feeling stuck or unmotivated?
I need a long walk – anything to get me away from my computer and thinking of something totally different. Then hopefully I come back refreshed. Sometimes, but not always, it works!
9. What would your superpower be?
I don’t know whether it is a superpower or just a massive confusion in my life, but it is my constant curiosity and making links between different sectors. The revolution that the energy sector is going through has been experienced by so many other sectors.
10. Why is the energy sector such an exciting place to work right now?
It is going through so much change and needs new thinking, new approaches and new mindsets. Culture change is the most difficult to address but that is what the sector needs.
Laura’s book and TV recommendations:
I love reading and watching Wolf Hall. It’s politics at its very rawest – and it never ends well!