Now in their 11th year, the Best Business Women awards celebrate exceptional female entrepreneurs from across the UK who demonstrate leadership, innovation and impact in their fields. At a gala ceremony held on Thursday, 10 October at the Daventry Court Hotel, Caroline was recognised not only for the environmental results delivered through Carbon Numbers, but also for her advocacy and leadership as a woman in a traditionally male-dominated sector.

Recognising Women Leading Change

The judging panel described Caroline as a “superb example of practising what you preach”, praising her commitment to developing female engineers and her leadership in accelerating Net Zero strategies through innovation and transparency.

This recognition reflects the work they do every day to help organisations reduce energy consumption, achieve measurable carbon savings and create more sustainable environments. Since 2012, they have delivered over £45 million in verified energy savings for clients across education, healthcare, financial services and retail; all while staying true to their values of commitment, care, ownership, responsibility and excellence.

A Shared Achievement

Speaking after the ceremony, Caroline said:

“This was one of the highlights of my career. To be recognised on a national stage among so many inspiring female entrepreneurs is incredibly humbling. Winning the Best Green Business award is a testament to the brilliant team behind Carbon Numbers, many of whom I am proud to say are women.

As a female business leader in a technical field, I know the challenges that still exist for women in engineering and energy. But I also see the opportunities. At Carbon Numbers, we’re creating space for women to succeed; not just in support roles, but on-site, in technical teams and in leadership. Awards like these help shine a light on what’s possible and I hope it inspires more women to take up space in industries where they’ve been underrepresented.”

Acknowledging Industry Impact

Debbie Gilbert, founder of the Best Business Women Awards, said:

“Each of our winners are exceptional women who demonstrate innovation, vision and a deep commitment to excellence. Caroline’s passion for sustainability, her impact on carbon reduction, and her leadership in bringing more women into engineering make her a worthy winner and a role model in her field.”

Carbon Numbers are incredibly proud to see Caroline recognised for her leadership and the positive change she continues to drive across our industry. This award is not only a personal milestone, but a reflection of the collective dedication of their team to make a measurable difference in the built environment.

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]]>Caroline Fright Takes Home Gold at the Best Business Women Awards 2025Rachael Zaidel LambThu, 04 Sep 2025 08:21:57 +0000/member-news/royal-botanic-gardens-kew-and-schneider-electric-establish-strategic-partnership-to-accelerate-sustainability-ambitions659d81c2d781b9569b0d1008:67d310f433f7f81e25add27c:68b9470ae8b63f09571e7782Schneider Electric, the leader in the digital transformation of energy management and automation, has announced a strategic partnership with Royal Botanic Gardens (RBG), Kew.

As Kew’s official Energy Sustainability Partner, Schneider Electric, recognised for two years running as the World’s Most Sustainable Company by TIME and Statista, will play a critical role in helping the world-famous botanic gardens meet its goal to become climate positive by 2030.

As a UNESCO World Heritage site with a sizeable footprint, Grade 1 and 2 listed buildings, and high visitor numbers, Kew Gardens faces unique challenges in achieving its sustainability plans and targets.

The partnership will see Schneider Electric take a hands-on role, advising Kew on how to develop and deliver its comprehensive sustainability plan which includes transitioning away from fossil fuels, reducing carbon emissions, and optimising energy use across its historic and complex estate at both Kew Gardens and Wakehurst, Kew’s wild botanic garden based in Sussex.

As part of the agreement, Schneider Electric will provide a dedicated energy optimisation engineer, located onsite and on long-term secondment to Kew, helping to:

• Support Kew in evaluating the impact, cost, and priority of energy efficiency, controls, and monitoring projects

• Identify, assess, and implement energy-saving opportunities within Kew’s Building Management Systems (BMS) and Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) plant

• Explore available innovative solutions, such as cost-effective electricity use, battery storage, and microgrid opportunities, at both Kew Gardens and Wakehurst

The partnership’s projects will begin in earnest with the arrival of Schneider Electric’s consultant on site at Kew Gardens in September, marking the start of the next chapter in Kew’s sustainability journey.

Rachel Purdon, Head of Sustainability at RBG, Kew said: “We are proud of our commitment to urgently tackling the dual climate and biodiversity crises through everything that we do at Kew. Our partnership with Schneider Electric marks a major step forward in our sustainability journey. Working together we can accelerate progress towards our ambitious goals, including becoming climate positive in less than five years. With Kew’s unique combination of historic buildings, globally irreplaceable collections, and role inspiring diverse audiences to connect with nature, we face complex and wide-ranging challenges. Schneider Electric’s expertise and hands-on support will be invaluable – it will help us deliver real, measurable decarbonisation progress across our sites.”

“Both of our organisations are impact makers, united in our vision for a more sustainable planet. By combining our climate positive partnership, expertise, and energy management and automation solutions, we’re able to take real action to realise a more sustainable future at RBG Kew,” said Kelly Becker, President, Schneider Electric UK and Ireland, Belgium and Netherlands. “We also have deep experience with helping organisations like Kew advance their energy resiliency, a growing priority across businesses, utilities, and communities worldwide. In Kew’s case, maintaining a consistent energy supply is essential to protecting the world’s largest and most diverse botanical and mycological collections for humanity – and we’re honoured to be a part of the solution.”

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]]>Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew and Schneider Electric Establish Strategic Partnership to Accelerate Sustainability AmbitionsRachael Zaidel LambMon, 02 Jun 2025 14:17:00 +0000/member-news/how-sontay-sensors-are-driving-sustainable-innovation659d81c2d781b9569b0d1008:67d310f433f7f81e25add27c:685c04f5f76b823c0ed3a0e6In the journey toward smarter, more sustainable buildings, sensing technology stands at the centre of progress. At Sontay, we’re helping the built environment evolve by delivering precise, reliable data that enables better decisions, optimised energy use, and improved indoor environments.

Sontay’s advanced sensor solutions are a key enabler in the transformation of today’s buildings into intelligent, energy-efficient spaces. By capturing real-time environmental data, such as temperature, humidity, CO₂, and occupancy, our technology empowers building management systems (BMS) to respond dynamically and efficiently.

With this data, buildings can fine-tune HVAC systems, automate processes, and reduce unnecessary energy consumption. The result? Lower carbon emissions, greater occupant comfort, and more progress toward sustainability goals, all without compromising performance or wellbeing.

Why Indoor Environmental Quality Matters

Indoor environmental quality (IEQ) is more than just a comfort metric, it plays a pivotal role in sustainability and human health. Poorly managed IEQ often leads to energy inefficiencies, as systems overcompensate to maintain comfort. Sontay sensors help avoid this by maintaining precise control over factors like CO₂, temperature, and humidity.

By supporting better IEQ, our products contribute to energy savings, healthier indoor spaces, and greater productivity. They also help buildings align with globally recognised standards such as WELL, which place human health and performance at the centre of sustainable design. Sustainability isn’t just something we enable for others; it’s a principle we live by. At Sontay, we’re taking steps to reduce our own environmental impact throughout the manufacturing process and supply chain.

We’ve introduced recyclable and reduced packaging, prioritise responsible sourcing, and engineer products with durability and longevity in mind. Our UK-based manufacturing helps cut transportation-related emissions, and we’re engaging our supply chain to uphold high sustainability standards. Additionally, we’re encouraging greener commuting by offering electric vehicle charging points and launching an electric car leasing scheme for our employees.

Data is the backbone of effective sustainability strategies. Without accurate, real-time information, building managers are left guessing at where inefficiencies lie. Sontay’s sensors eliminate that guesswork.

Our technology provides the insights needed to optimise performance, detect and resolve issues early, and drive measurable improvements in energy consumption and carbon output. This kind of visibility is essential for meeting environmental targets, complying with regulations, and ultimately reducing operational costs.

Looking Ahead: Innovation for a Net Zero Future

The road to Net Zero will be paved with intelligent, connected systems, and Sontay is ready to lead the way. The next wave of building technology will include IoT-enabled sensors, predictive analytics, and platforms that seamlessly integrate across systems and disciplines.

At Sontay, we believe that smarter buildings are the key to a sustainable future. As digital transformation accelerates, we’re committed to delivering the tools and technologies that empower the built environment to meet and exceed its environmental and operational goals.

JBC Control Systems Limited has future-proofed business continuity by becoming one of the first BMS firms in the Northwest region to adopt an innovate new ‘trust model’ that has seen the employees assume ownership of the majority of the company.

A new Group Holding company has been formed and the shareholders have completed the sale of their shares in JBC and it's sister company ATC Systems Limited based in Belfast to the 90 strong workforce through the establishment of an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT).

An EOT is a trust structure that acquires shares in the company on behalf of the employees, who become the owners of the shares and the beneficiaries of the trust. Trustees, some of whom are independent have been appointed to protect the interests of the employees.

Paddy McCormack, majority shareholder of JBC & ATC explained: “Having acquired ATC and JBC in 1999 and 2003 respectively and watched the businesses evolve and flourish into established, customer-focused and well-run companies, it was a logical step for me to pass the ownership onto the employees. It’s the employees who make ATC and JBC the great companies that they are and I look forward to seeing the Group continue to prosper in the future under the stewardship of its employees and experienced management teams. The Employee Ownership Trust, structured for us by Maneely McCann Chartered Accountants and Elliot Duffy Garrett Solicitors, met all of my aims and I am delighted to have completed the deal.’’

Neil Griffiths, Managing Director of JBC said: “In collaboration with our manufacturing partners such as Honeywell Trend, ABB Cylon, Siemens, our valued supply chain/sub-contractors, JBC and ATC have been providing cutting edge BMS engineering solutions to our customers throughout the UK and Ireland for over 30 years. With the Group transferring to an employee ownership model, our employees are further incentivised and will now have a vested interest in the sustainability and enduring success of their business. This new level of employee engagement will only strengthen the trusted partnerships that we have with our customers. As a business we are delighted that Paddy Mc Cormack has agreed to stay on which illustrates the confidence that he has in the business and the people who work in it"

A strong distribution network simplifies the sourcing process by offering a wide range of BMS components from multiple manufacturers under one roof. This 'One Stop Shop' approach allows access to everything required, from VSDs to PICVs, Energy Meters to Sensors, distribution offers a complete procurement solution. Dealing with lengthy lead times and managing multiple supply chains can be a difficult and time-consuming process. Using distribution to maintain inventory and quickly access products lessens sourcing challenges, improving project timelines, and reducing costs. This allows the System Integrator to focus on their area of expertise.

Beyond convenience, distributors also bring valuable market knowledge and technical expertise. With established relationships with manufacturers, they can offer insights into product compatibility, emerging technologies, and best practices for implementation. This support assists in informed decision making and selecting the best solutions for specific applications, keeping SI’s at the forefront of market development.

is proud to be part of this streamlined process, helping businesses in the BMS industry by providing reliable access to high-quality products from market leading brands. By leveraging the power of distribution, you can streamline operations, reduce risks, and ensure that BMS solutions are delivered efficiently, keeping buildings smart and customers happy.

Sub-metering is a powerful enabler of better energy management, offering retailers the insights needed to pinpoint inefficiencies and streamline operations across complex, multi-site portfolios. It can also support compliance with growing [Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) expectations].

At Cura Energy, we’re specialists in combining high-quality sub-metering installations with robust maintenance and advanced energy engineering services to turn energy data into actionable improvements - and drive cost savings in the retail sector.

What is sub-metering and why does it matter to retail?

Sub-metering involves installing additional meters to monitor specific areas, systems, or equipment within a building or across multiple sites. This granular data empowers retailers with a clear understanding of how, when, and where energy is being consumed.

For multi-site retailers, this precision can be transformative. By tracking energy usage in real time, retailers can pinpoint inefficiencies, such as underperforming sites or energy-intensive equipment, and implement targeted improvements. Benchmarking performance across different stores becomes more practical, allowing for realistic energy-saving goals.

Additionally, sub-metering provides detailed insights that support smarter decision-making, such as optimising operational schedules or upgrading equipment. This data-driven approach translates into measurable cost savings, with sub-metering providing the foundation of an effective energy management strategy.

The hidden hero: Meter maintenance

While the initial installation of sub-metering systems is the first step towards better energy management, sub-meters’ true value lies in the integrity and accuracy of the data they provide. Neglected meters can lead to unreliable information, jeopardising decision-making and missing opportunities for cost-saving adjustments.

At Cura Energy, we set ourselves apart with a dedicated team of skilled energy engineers - not general electricians. These experts ensure your sub-metering infrastructure remains in optimal condition through routine maintenance and calibration. By safeguarding the quality of your data, Cura Energy maximises the return on your investment in sub-metering technology.

Real-world impact: Enhanced energy efficiency

Consider a retailer with tens of stores spread across the country. Without sub-metering, energy data might only reflect overall averages, making it difficult to identify specific issues. Sub-metering provides the granularity needed to highlight inefficiencies, such as:

• A single store’s lighting system staying on after hours due to programming errors, wasting thousands annually.

• Inefficient HVAC operation during peak hours at another site, driving up energy costs unnecessarily.

• Refrigeration units across multiple locations consuming more energy than expected, signalling the need for maintenance.

These insights enable targeted actions, delivering cost savings while supporting sustainability goals.

Cura Energy: Your trusted partner in sub-metering

Cura Energy understands the challenges of managing energy across highly complex, multi-site retail operations. Our tailored sub-metering solutions include expert installation, proactive maintenance, and advanced engineering services. This provides the precise and reliable data needed to help retailers optimise energy use, reduce costs, and achieve sustainability targets.

Energy does not have to be another uncontrollable expense, sub-metering lays the foundation for smarter, more efficient and more cost-effective retail building operations.

to learn how our sub-metering solutions can unlock new levels of efficiency across your multi-site retail estate.

Our building energy management system (BEMS) engineers are a great example of this. In their day-to-day roles, BEMS engineers maximise the efficiency, comfort and green credentials of buildings. And because the built environment accounts for a whopping 40% of the Earth’s carbon emissions their work really does contribute to combatting climate change.

With that in mind, let’s explore the ways in which BEMS engineers are shaping the built environment.

Boosting energy efficiency

To help building operators hit their net zero targets, BEMS engineers drastically improve the performance of a building’s HVAC plant. In doing so, they maximise the building’s energy efficiency, which is the first crucial step to a net zero building.

By identifying, adjusting, repairing and avoiding inefficiencies, BEMS engineers make unnecessary energy wastage a thing of the past.

Integrating renewable energy sources

Needless to say, renewable energy is where we’re headed – and from a technical standpoint, BEMS engineers will play a key role in bringing this about. By integrating renewable energy sources into the BEMS (e.g. solar and wind turbines), engineers will reduce dependency on traditional, less sustainable sources.

Harnessing smart technologies

Today’s energy management systems and associated technologies are truly smart. Energy gurus around the world have brought advanced analytics and intelligent algorithms to a whole new level.

Today’s smart systems pinpoint operational inefficiencies immediately or predict them in advance, offering effective solutions. Plant performance is trackable and building operators have more visibility and control of their indoor environments than ever before.

Targeted maintenance

By introducing a targeted approach to maintenance, BEMS engineers have prolonged the lifespan of plant equipment and reduced the need for resource-intensive repairs and replacements. Meaning future buildings will run more effectively and be largely ‘self-sufficient’.

Prioritised wellbeing

BEMS engineers not only make buildings better for the environment, but for the people who spend time inside those spaces.

By monitoring and/or controlling indoor environments, BEMS engineers prioritise an important piece of the puzzle: occupant wellbeing. Optimal lighting, temperature and humidity control make buildings comfortable for occupants. While smart air quality sensors monitor how healthy indoor environments are, keeping people safe and productive.

Final thoughts

Through their work, BEMS engineers help create a more sustainable future. By boosting energy efficiency, advancing technologies, integrating renewable energy and prioritising wellbeing, they’re changing the built environment for the better. Paving the way for autonomous smart buildings of the future. Which will positively impact people and the planet.

An increasing reliance on the use of data to deliver business insight, as well as a requirement for robust security measures and responsible management of information, has resulted in an increasing demand for data technicians in the UK. Businesses now rely on data to make decisions and are investing in data analytics tools to help them gain insights that can help streamline processes and improve day to day operations. In order to fully achieve this, data technicians are required to ensure that the data is accessible, organised and well presented.

Data technicians are found in all industry sectors where data is generated or processed, including building controls. The job often entails sourcing, formatting and presenting data for analysis, communicating outcomes appropriate to an audience, analysing structured and unstructured data to support business outcomes and blending data from multiple sources.

A data technician apprenticeship represents an ideal opportunity for individuals looking at pursuing a career in the data industry, regardless of their previous experiences or existing levels of expertise. For employers it means training individuals to meet specific organisational needs and bringing through highly skilled employees who understand the business and its future requirements.

The new Group Horizon Data Technician Level 3 Apprenticeship is specifically focussed on training and developing data technicians who can support the day-to-day data needs of a business. It is a qualification that teaches learners how to utilise a wide variety of tools and techniques to manage and analyse data, both internally and externally.

This represents an excellent foundation qualification, acting as the initial step towards a rewarding data career and attracting learners who may not have an existing data-based qualification. The curriculum provides a solid grounding in the current data management tools and techniques required to enable an individual to start their data career and develop their skills.

The apprenticeship reflects a number of different areas focused on data management, including types of data, data tools, data architecture, data quality, data analysis techniques and how to communicate data and results effectively. This course will also allow learners to further their development within a specialism such as data analytics, eventually progressing onto the Level 4 Data Analyst Apprenticeship.

The more data produced, the greater the opportunity for meaningful insight. However, without data technicians on board to organise and provide structure there is increased risk that much of that business insight will be lost. A data technician apprenticeship which combines technical training and on the job activities is an ideal starting point for those looking to take their first steps on the data technician career path, equipping trainees with transferable skills that will enable them to progress quickly in this thriving specialist industry sector.