Powerful Women at SSE: Heather

Women in Power - Heather

Head of Embedded Generation

I’m Heather – I joined SSE from a career at HM Naval Base. Faslane, starting as an apprentice, working in hands on technical roles before moving into management. There were a few changes there, so I decided to see what other opportunities were available. I was attracted to SSE through reputation, and I was aware of their great safety practices – and I really wanted to work with a company with a Scottish HQ, as I love travelling and visiting in Scotland.

Faslane was a great opportunity for me to get into the engineering world.  When I was ready to leave school, I knew I wanted to do something different. I didn't want to work in stereotypical female jobs. I had no interest in working in a shop or a nurse or anything like that. One thing I was very conscious of was that I wanted a job rather than going to university. I had places at universities secured but I wanted to get out into the real world and earn some money. So, when an apprenticeship job came up, I applied and was successful. My four-year electrical apprenticeship was a great experience. Hard work and lots of learning but also lots of good fun. Once I completed my apprenticeship, I became an electrical fitter maintaining the high voltage network and the generation station assets.

I was promoted to protection engineer and became a Senior Authorised Person (SAP) by the time I was 23, and after six years, I moved into management. I also went to university part time, and I finished with a First-Class Honours Degree in Electrical Power Engineering. This then helped me gain my Chartered Engineer qualification too.

I came to SSE in 2006 and began working on electrical distribution networks. I became a Performance Manager in the Oban depot where we managed the network to remote areas. It was a great role and an enjoyable period working with a great team, maintaining supply to areas such as Argyll, the Clyde islands, and the Inner Hebrides. It was also good to use some of the experience I had gained at Faslane managing the island power stations on Tiree and Islay. I was then asked if I’d like to become the Head of Embedded Generation, managing the operation and maintenance of the island standby power stations, including the Western Isles, to ensure that there are alternative energy supplies available. I am also responsible for Lerwick Power station which runs continually supplying our customers in Shetland. I have a great team and we really work well together, supporting island customers.

"I was pleasantly surprised at the culture here. It’s a respectful and really nice environment to work in. SSE is incredibly supportive and encouraging, and everything we do is focused on safety. We work together as a team – people look out for each other, and everyone will help you."

I was pleasantly surprised at the culture here. It’s a respectful and really nice environment to work in. SSE is incredibly supportive and encouraging, and everything we do is focused on safety. We work together as a team – people look out for each other, and everyone will help you. When you move from one company to another, particularly from a government organisation, there’s the thought that you might not make it in a private, for-profit business – but nothing could be further from the truth. I’ve had no issues at all, I think SSE is different.

At Faslane, I was one of only two female apprentices and looking back, I suppose it was very different, but I didn’t really think too much about it at the time. I’ve not had many negative experiences to be honest, but perhaps that is because I have gone through my career, remaining as an engineer and always wanted to be involved in an operational role. There’s a shortage of engineers globally, so we need more – and that includes more female engineers as well as male. SSE is a very good company for senior leaders and a long and varied career is possible. The company is also really supportive of those coming back from maternity leave, which is great to see. So, I think it's really important for young people to see that the career path here can be quite long. There are lots of opportunities. You don't just have to stay in a pair of overalls your whole life, although I always look for an opportunity to get them back on as often as possible!

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