On Wednesday 22nd February, Bracknell BID organised a Business Breakfast event themed around the Energy Crisis, for Bracknell-based businesses. The event was hosted at Fujitsu, Lovelace Road, in the Southern Business Area.
Around 60 attendees enjoyed a complimentary light breakfast with tea and coffee and time to network with other businesses, before settling down for the event.
Sean Griffin, the Bracknell BID Manager, welcomed all attendees and outlined the morning’s agenda, highlighting how businesses in attendance can learn from sustainability and climate change experts on how to respond to the energy crisis, as well as addressing how businesses can become more energy efficient and save costs.
Sean introduced the first speaker, Richard Koszykowski from Major Energy Users’ Council (MEUC) to present on the work of the Major Energy Users’ Council (MEUC), the energy crisis and the outlook of energy resources for the country. Richard gave a stimulating presentation, highlighting the wider geo-political reasons for the increased pricing in energy as well as the influence of traders on the wholesale market of energy, highlighting the future expectation of energy pricing by season. Richard also explained how MEUC represent the interests of many industrial, commercial, retail, and public sector organisations for buying, managing, understanding, and reducing gas, power, carbon and water costs and consumption.
Sean handed over to the second speaker, Gary Byrne, Senior Business Development Manager, from Bracknell BID based business Energy Efficient Solutions Group (EES Group). Gary provided a captivating presentation about how EES Group is a market leader within the renewable sector specialising in LED lighting, Solar PV, EV Charging and heating solutions. EES Group have helped all types of organisations in all industry sectors within both public and private sectors, including 300 NHS properties, 500 schools, 200 local authority properties and various businesses, to build a more sustainable future. Gary detailed how EES Group can support businesses through the entire process in becoming energy efficient, from in-house design and manufacturing, infinite stock of solutions within the high in-demand market, installation from their hundred-strong skilled team, to ongoing maintenance. Gary highlighted a case study on their award-winning work in supporting carbon reduction and sustainability with Leicester City Council, showcasing how they managed to save considerate costs over a 10-year period through their LED and solar solutions.
Sean introduced the final speaker, Gareth Jones, Head of Climate Change and Sustainability, from Bracknell Forest Council. Gareth provided an insightful presentation on what businesses can do to reduce their energy bills, and why businesses should take climate action. Gareth highlighted from the recent business survey of Bracknell businesses, that nearly two thirds of businesses have yet to make commitments on actions towards climate, net-zero and sustainability measures. Gareth highlighted finance was the most common barrier to taking action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, including access, awareness and costs of installing carbon saving measures. Gareth signposted various useful resources business can use, such as their new climate change and business website, and grant funding opportunities (such as low carbon workspaces, EV charging grants, and boiler upgrade scheme). Gareth also gave a plethora of key resources businesses can use within the SME climate hub that encompasses a range of free resources, such as how to measure emissions, and an ISO guide to support and simplify the implementation of energy management systems.
Sean hosted the panel discussion and audience Q&A with all three previous speakers, facilitating further discussion on key ways the business community can respond to the energy crisis. Panellists engaged with some key questions from the audience, including a discussion from each speaker on practical advice on how businesses can review energy efficiency and measure energy consumption within their buildings.
The BID would like to thank Fujitsu for kindly hosting and event partners MEUC, EES Group and Bracknell Forest Council for supporting the event. The BID would like to thank Dynamic Media Solutions for providing AV support for the event, and Printroom Group for providing the printed materials.
To view and download the presentations from the day, click here.
To view the resources to support business to become more sustainable, visit Bracknell Forest Council’s website here, or see the presentation glossary provided at the event here.
Our monthly business breakfasts are a chance for businesses to meet, network, develop relationships and to understand what other Bracknell businesses have to offer to each other. You can view our previous monthly Business Breakfast events here.
