The way we generate, use, and manage energy is changing faster than ever. That means businesses need fresh skills, new mindsets, and smarter operating systems, and recruitment has to keep pace with all of this to stay competitive and effective.

In this episode, titled “From The Apprentice to Redefining the Energy Sector,” Lauren Forster and Richard Britton sit down with Scarlett Allen-Horton, entrepreneur, Apprentice finalist, and founder of Harper Fox Partners. 

She shares her insights on the pressures reshaping how energy and tech companies hire, why diversity isn’t just a tick-box but a clear business advantage, the growing impact of AI and sustainable technology, and what sustainable leadership looks like in this fast evolving sector.

Energy is evolving and hiring has to keep up

The energy sector is undergoing a major transformation, which is reshaping how businesses operate. With energy consumption changing, businesses are having to adapt from traditional business models to new operating models. As a result, the energy sector’s talent needs are evolving rapidly.

Companies are needing to change the way they recruit, tackle new skills gaps, and organise themselves to meet fresh demands.

As Scarlett points out:

“We’re looking at things like circular energy specialists. So how do we reuse? How do we recycle the product? Obviously, more into kind of the tech space. We’re looking at grid modernisation, carbon capture, and to be honest with you, there’s some specialists in these areas, but actually there’s not that many specialists, because we haven’t needed it before.”

The demand for these new skills is growing faster than the workforce can fill them, which is creating a real challenge for businesses who are trying to keep pace. Instead of building all these capabilities from scratch, many companies are choosing to partner with or acquire teams who already have the expertise.

Why diversity is a business advantage, not just a checkbox

Diversity isn’t about ticking a box or meeting quotas — it’s about building stronger, more resilient teams that deliver better results. 

“I know that a diverse team, on average, adds 39% to the bottom line of a business. It increases employee engagement. Basically, in the business, people are happier.”

When you bring together people with different backgrounds and perspectives, you unlock a wider range of ideas, challenges and make better decisions. 

Diverse teams tend to be more creative, solve problems faster, and drive better business outcomes. As Scarlett explains:

“The creativity is so much higher, the problem solving is so much higher, and that is what we need within this space. We’re in a space that is unprecedented. It’s never been done before. We’re trying to work out how to do it.”

The key takeaway here is that inclusive hiring isn’t a nice-to-have. It’s essential if you want to build the best solutions for the future.

Build vs buy and why collaboration is underrated 

Not every challenge requires building something from the ground up. Often, working with independent businesses that have already invested time and effort into creating quality products can be a smarter and faster way forward. As Scarlett puts it:

“What I’ve seen as part of a lot of these big player strategies is M&A activity. I think they’re actually relying on some of the smaller businesses, the very kind of green, innovative tech businesses, to really formulate some solutions as well and for them to buy them out.”

This approach allows bigger players to tap into fresh innovation without reinventing the wheel. By connecting with existing solutions, it can help businesses get to market quicker and more efficiently – ensuring they remain competitive.

At the heart of this shift is software. Platforms like Powerverse are becoming central to how new energy systems operate, providing a catalogue of new services and enabling smarter, connected solutions.

Sustainable technology

“Of course, the big piece is the AI piece. We’re seeing the tools much like yours in terms of, how do we input smart home technology? How do we input that within businesses as well?”

Scarlett’s question cuts to the core of where energy tech is headed. AI and energy management solutions are fast becoming essential homes for people to consume energy in a smarter, more cost-effective way.

Data, AI, and connectivity are reshaping this energy experience, enabling more convenient and efficient solutions. The key is harnessing these technologies to create intuitive, easy-to-adopt innovations that elevate the customer experience. 

Security is part of the challenge too. As Scarlett notes:

“A couple of things we’ve been asked recently quite a lot about [are] cybersecurity and threats to the grid. So that’s been really interesting. You know, that’s a space that we haven’t properly explored before.”

As systems grow smarter and more connected, protecting customer data and safeguarding the grid isn’t optional, it’s essential. 

At Powerverse, we know that delivering a great experience isn’t just about innovation, it’s about building trust through reliability, relevance, and simplicity, underpinned by secure and responsible use of customer data. It’s not just a feature of our solution – it’s our foundation.

Grit, resilience, and long-haul leadership 

None of this is easy especially for leaders steering a business through big shifts in the energy sector.

Leading a business today calls for grit, stamina, and a clear sense of purpose. As Scarlett says:

“I’m a massive advocate of gritty determination. So if you’re gonna explore this entrepreneurship life […] it’s a 24/7 job. That’s the reality.”

She adds:

“Some of the best entrepreneurs […] push the boundaries a bit […] those people that challenge and they push, again in the right way, [..] that is what is needed.”

Building the right team is essential for navigating change under pressure. Sustainable leadership means hiring not only for skills, but resilience, adaptability, and a long-term vision to steer through transformation.

Final Thoughts 

The businesses that will win in the energy transition are the ones that rethink their operating systems, hire diverse teams and deliver magical services built on data, connectivity and AI.

There will be winners and losers, to remain competitive, you will need the right technology. 

That’s why we built the Energy Operating System, to give you the software and support you need to stay ahead – it’s your easy solution to win. 

To hear more insights like this, listen to the full episode, or follow us on LinkedIn.