Some of you may already know our Senior Business Development Manager, Steven Whyte. But for those of you who have not yet had the pleasure, he is this week’s pick in our “Meet the Team” series!
Tell us about your role at the PNDC.
My role as Senior Business Development Manager involves working closely with our partners and clients to ensure the PNDC delivers value through our collaborative research programme and commercial activities. A typical day for me would usually start with a cup of coffee to get me going, then spent either in meetings or calls with clients and internal teams to discuss future opportunities for the centre. I’m often travelling, as is the nature of my role, but this is also important to represent PNDC at various events and conferences both in the UK and internationally.
How long have you been working here?
I joined the PNDC in July 2017.
What was your background before joining the PNDC?
I started my career following obtaining my degree in Economics, from the University of Strathclyde, within the field of economic development at Scottish Enterprise. After enjoying a number of customer facing roles I took the step into the world of private sector consultancy within the renewable energy sector. This certainly opened my eyes to the huge opportunities and challenges faced by the UK and other countries to achieve a low-carbon future. Having spent a few years there the opportunity to join the PNDC came around, and as they say… the rest is history!
What do you enjoy most about working at the PNDC?
There are a number of great things about working here, mainly the important role that the PNDC can play in supporting the UK towards a ‘net-zero’ future, through the acceleration of new technologies within energy systems. I also enjoy the variety of work, not often any two days are the same in PNDC, and this presents as with new opportunities and different ways of approaching a challenge. Lastly, but by not means least, are the people that I work with every day that make the PNDC a truly unique environment to work in. We are a small team and with everyone pulling in the right direction we are able to deliver some incredible work, having a bit of fun now and again at the same time.
What can we find you doing in your spare time?
At the weekends you can usually find me hacking my way round the golf course, with the occasional moment when I feel like Rory McIlroy (not that often mind you). Otherwise I enjoy good food and drink, shared with either my partner or friends. I’m also a movie fan, and a bit of a Star Wars geek for good measure.