Jake Carrington

Senior Account Lead - CleanTech, Utilities & Energy

The PERSONAL

What’s your go-to way to switch off after a busy week? 

I consider myself very sociable and enjoy being around people and absorbing their energy. At the weekend, I enjoy DJing in bars and clubs with friends. It has been such a valuable hobby and allowed me to tick off some experiences I will never forget. I love music and being surrounded by it! 

What’s something people would never guess about you? 

I am a secret history fan and will always attempt to tick off a Cathedral when I am exploring a new European city. I find nothing more humbling than being in a building which is full of history and art. 

If a client described you after working together, what would you hope they’d say? 

I hope that my clients will describe my approach to problem-solving as detailed, attentive and infused with passion. I genuinely care so deeply about the people in my network and helping them to navigate high-impact transformations. Some of my customers have become genuine friends, and I enjoy helping them in any way I can. 

Calm, coffee or chaos - which best describes your working style?

Calm, Coffee or Chaos is a great way to gauge how I work. I think I am a Calm person (after the first coffee)! 

THE WORK

Forget your job title - what do you actually help clients do better? 

I help energy and utilities companies navigate impactful data transformations and remain innovative. We are watching a huge shift in how Energy & Utilities companies operate as AI becomes a key conversation (and advantage). Within a highly regulated environment which is often held back by outdated legacy platforms and restricted visibility, I enjoy understanding the ambition of a business and how data strategy/people can get them there. 

What’s the first question you ask when you’re dropped into a new client challenge? 

When I first meet a customer to discuss challenges, I am keen to know what the current situation looks like. We often discuss the starting point and end point before building a pathway together to reach the business outcomes they desire. 

What’s a common mistake organisations make with data/AI/transformation? 

From my experience, data transformations often slow down due to the shift in pace when deliverables move from exploratory/conceptual to real action. From a people perspective, sometimes we see challenges come from a lack of soft skills surrounding the technical team. AI implementation, specifically, requires a real culture shift and this must be conducted the right way by technical experts who are also talented in driving change, working with different stakeholders and leading enablement. 

Tell us about a moment where you genuinely changed the outcome for a client 

I was pleased to have the opportunity to support a global entertainment business who were on a mission to modernize their internal reporting processes. They were losing a lot of time and money maintaining outdated excel spreadsheets which visualized key business information. They had decided they needed to implement python automation to automatically maintain the excel sheets. We discussed what the ideal outcome would be and I introduced them to a consultant who quickly accelerated this journey and brought new ideas to the table. They ended up working to build a new fully automated visualization portfolio which has directly impacted the bottom line, ensuring the business is in a stronger place than before. I’m really proud of this one! 

What’s been your proudest “that actually made a difference” moment? 

I was working closely with an energy consultancy who were in the difficult position where they were missing out on commercial opportunities due to a team who were working at capacity. I stepped in to truly understand their current situation, and we fleshed out requirements aligned to their immediate need. I introduced them to several consultants whose skills complimented each other to deliver an immediate fix. This had a direct positive impact on revenue and reputation. Also, it has been brilliant to watch this team grow from mid-level professionals to directors. 

What’s your biggest work-related pet peeve? 

My biggest pet peeve is ‘competitive’ salaries. Recently, the government announced they will be introducing mandatory salary bandings on job adverts, and I think this visibility will immediately improve the environment for someone exploring opportunities. No salaries in adverts and early conversations is a big red flag for me! 



THE PEOPLE

What role do people and culture play in making change stick? 

People and culture play a HUGE role in making changes stick. AI has been received well by the energy market, but for some it is a point of controversy or concern. I am a big believer that AI will improve the energy environment and play a key role in extending the impact of the disruptors in the space, BUT people often fear the unknown. I love chatting to companies about AI & Data Culture. It is important for transformation teams to communicate business value, likely outcomes and how they feel AI can make things better from the beginning of the process. 

What excites you most about data/AI right now? 

It is a very exciting time for the energy/utilities sector. AI is being embraced across the market and having a direct impact on how consumers engage. AI is increasing visibility, identifying cost-saving initiatives and keeping businesses innovating. I’m excited about how much more agile the energy industry will become once AI is a key part of how we do business! 

What kind of problems should people come to you for? 

If you are talking about transformation, or experiencing a decrease in pace, lets chat! I am speaking to organisations about challenges every day and I am confident we can compare notes and build bespoke transformations by calling upon different parts of the ES service offering! 

Where’s the best place to continue the conversation? 

I believe one of the benefits of working with a smaller, agile consultancy is that we can communicate in a way which makes things easy for you. Lets connect on LinkedIn, over the phone, WhatsApp, in person OR at our Data Leaders Winter Party!