This month, Fuel Oil News speaks with Hollie Mills, Future Fuels Manager at New Era Fuels, to discover how she spends a typical day.
MY ALARM GOES OFF AT…
6:30am – with a 10-minute snooze if needed, and it normally is!
THE FIRST THING I DO IS…
Coffee. Always coffee.
I PREPARE FOR THE DAY AHEAD BY…
Checking my emails so I can see if anything new has come in that I need to action or prioritise. Then I get myself ready and organise everything for my little boy to go to school.
I’m the first one up and out the house before they wake, so knowing everything’s already sorted puts my mind at rest.
I CAN’T LEAVE THE HOUSE WITHOUT…
My Apple watch – it’s become a bit of an obsession.
MY TYPICAL DAY – I arrive at the office by 7:45am, enough time to settle down and make another coffee before my 8am start. I consider myself relatively organised and live by continuous to-do lists. I find this works in my favour though as my day will pretty much already be planned out!
My role is to support our existing customers and potential new clients on their journey to net zero, by discussing New Era’s portfolio of sustainable fuel solutions and services. I understand that every business is different and, therefore, so will the requirements and challenges be that come with the transition.
I mostly spend my day building relationships with sustainability and supply chain teams, often creating bespoke proposals to demonstrate how easily carbon reduction strategies can be implemented into their business, and the impressive benefits they’ll gain as a result. I’ll either call or present over Teams, but sometimes I visit clients in person as you’ll never beat the connection that is made with face-to-face meetings.
As well as client meetings, I’m also on the road a lot attending supplier events, sustainability conferences, strategic partner meetings and represent New Era when we exhibit at trade shows.
Other parts of my role include participating in workshops and webinars to keep up with the evolving renewable energy market, so that we are aware of new developments to UK infrastructure or government initiatives.
Another big responsibility of mine is looking after the fuel contracts for all of our customers that have chosen to secure a guaranteed HVO supply, which has become increasingly preferable due to the rapid growth in demand for renewable energy sources.
MY MOST MEMORABLE WORK MOMENT…
In March, we attended the NFDC awards, where New Era was honoured with the NFDC Supplier of the Year award. We were thrilled that our exceptional teamwork and unwavering dedication had been recognised by the industry.
THE WORST PART OF MY JOB…
Most clients are opting to use alternative fuels such as HVO as an approach to help achieve their ambitious sustainability targets. They will be under pressure from carbon auditors and may have signed up to the SBTi, so this will require me to provide sufficient quantitative data.
Their deadlines become my deadlines, so when these urgent requests for data come in unexpectedly, I need to put my juggling skills to the test.
THE BEST PART OF MY JOB…
After spending the earlier years of my sales career in more superficial industries, it’s rewarding to know that I’m now pushing awareness for a product that is positively contributing to the protection and well-being of our planet.
Every day is different, and there is always something new to be learnt. It’s safe to say no day is boring!
I RELAX AFTER WORK BY…
In the kitchen, music on, cooking. I find it so therapeutic and spend most of my free time trying new recipe’s and having kitchen discos with my son. Good for the heart and soul!
MY FAVOURITE MEAL IS…
Anything pasta based is always a firm favourite.
THE LAST THING I DO EACH DAY IS…
As much skincare as I have the energy for. Vitamin C serum is my life saver.
I’M NORMALLY IN BED BY…
10:30pm – 11pm. I’m not the night owl I used to be, unfortunately.
