This is Frida. She is Emaldo’s CFO (Chief Food Officer) and a constant source of calm, laughter, and joy for everyone in the office.
Reflecting on my first week at Emaldo, the most striking aspect has been the culture. I was with my previous company for a long time, and in hindsight I didn’t realise just how different the culture at Emaldo was going to be, and how I was going to adjust.
I’ve been in the energy industry, in various guises, for 20 years now, with my first exposure being one of the first teams to implement British Gas Business's new SAP IS-U system. Whilst I credit British Gas for giving me an incredible foundation of knowledge that I still rely on today, the time I spent working with that system was definitely a trial by fire which in turn created a challenging culture to be part of!
When the opportunity to join Emaldo came up it felt like a very natural decision, and I bit their hand off. Like most people, my journey has included experiences with both positive and challenging workplace cultures.
I can honestly say I don’t think I’ve witnessed the hunger for innovation that I’ve seen this week.
The discussion always centers on the customer, whether that is the end consumer, a partner, or an internal department.
“There must be a better way” is the shared mentality, which is very powerful. The entire business is aligned on the vision: Connected Technologies for a Cooler World.
It’s hard for a geek like me to not get excited, even when my kids roll their eyes when I say “cool”.
What does this mean in practice? Re-reading the mountain of notes I’ve taken this week there are 3 consistent themes;
● A clear vision for innovation: Whether it’s improving the way our solutions are installed, how we communicate with the grid, or the look and feel of our apps, the desire is to be better.
● A culture of collaboration and inclusivity: The team here is remarkable – highly skilled, forward-thinking, and genuinely passionate about their work. It’s clear that great ideas thrive in this kind of environment. Emaldo’s culture is not only about professionalism and respect, the team place a high value on fostering personal connections. Frida and I are already best friends.
● An unwavering commitment to sustainability: At Emaldo, sustainability isn’t just a buzzword. It’s embedded in everything, from product design to strategic planning.
The Road Ahead
As I settle into my role, my focus is on building on Emaldo’s strong foundation, building out the product and technology strategies, and putting in place a team to execute. There’s no shortage of exciting opportunities ahead: scaling innovative solutions, expanding our reach, and continuing to empower customers to participate in the Net Zero journey.
Thank You!
I have been very humbled by the support and well wishers from friends and ex-colleagues, along with the warm welcome I have received from my new colleagues. Thanks to you all.
If you haven’t already, I encourage you to follow Emaldo on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram. There’s so much happening here, and we’re just getting started.
Here’s to the future of energy.
✍🏼 Alasdair Firth, CPO
