When I left Canada for London, I knew I was taking a leap into the unknown.

Originally from Ottawa, I spent the last six years living in Montreal, where I completed my Mechanical Engineering degree at McGill University. While Canada will always be home, I felt ready for a new challenge. After living in the same part of the country my entire life, I was excited by the prospect of experiencing a different culture and living in one of the world’s most dynamic cities.

There were a few reasons behind the move:

• • London also offered an opportunity to broaden my horizons, meet people from different backgrounds, and travel more easily throughout Europe.
  • Having previously completed a summer placement in London in 2022, I had already experienced the enjoyment of life while working in London, and knew I wanted to return.
  • I’ve always felt a connection to UK culture (largely thanks to my love of football and my lifelong support for Arsenal).

My first impressions of FairHeat were overwhelmingly positive. Everyone seemed genuinely happy to be here, creating a friendly and sociable environment. What stood out most, though, was the lack of hierarchy. From day one, people were approachable, willing to answer questions, share knowledge and take feedback. It felt like a place where learning was genuinely encouraged.

Discovering Heat Networks

Coming from Canada gave me a very different perspective on heating.

In Montreal, most buildings use electricity for heating and hot water because it is relatively inexpensive and the grid is almost completely decarbonised. When I learned that space heating and hot water account for nearly a quarter of the UK’s carbon emissions, I was really surprised.

That statistic immediately caught my attention. I knew I wanted to work in a field where I could make a meaningful contribution to reducing emissions, and the challenge of decarbonising heat felt both important and fascinating. Seeing the level of investment flowing into heat networks and low-carbon heating solutions made me even more eager to build a career in the sector.

Learning Through Asset Management

My first rotation at FairHeat was in Asset Management, where I supported clients in operating and maintaining their heat networks.

The work was varied: from auditing residential heat networks serving hundreds of residents to developing and implementing maintenance regimes, analysing performance data, resolving urgent site issues, and developing tariffs.

I particularly enjoyed spending time on site. Having focused on conceptual and feasibility stages of projects in previous work, this was my first chance to see systems operating in practice and learn directly from experienced engineers and contractors. The learning curve was steep but highly rewarding.

I also valued the responsibility of managing sites and supporting clients. Asset Management requires quick decisions to address problems and mitigate risks before they escalate. Working closely with clients and seeing immediate improvements in site performance creates a strong sense of achievement.

 

 

Lessons from the Front Line

One of my biggest lessons has been to view heat networks holistically.

Asset Management’s focus on risk mitigation taught me how assets interact, where failures occur, and how design, installation and operation affect long-term performance.

The importance of water quality management was a key lesson. Poor water quality can cause costly, premature asset failure. I experienced this first-hand at a site that I began managing, where the absence of a water quality regime for several years had led to a leak in a riser. Not only was this costly to repair, but it also caused significant disruption to residents.

This was one of many examples I witnessed of the damage that can be caused by the heat networks industry’s historical “set-and-forget” approach. Heat networks need clear handovers from construction to operation and defined responsibilities for maintenance; otherwise, small issues can quickly undermine performance.

 

 

A New Perspective in Quality Assurance

In June, I moved into FairHeat’s Quality Assurance team.

The transition has allowed me to step back one stage in the project lifecycle and focus on ensuring heat networks are designed, constructed and commissioned correctly from the outset.

Much of my work has involved design reviews and acceptance testing. One of the most interesting projects I’m currently involved with is a Stage 4 design review for a university district heating network that is looking to decarbonise through the addition of an energy centre incorporating air source heat pumps.

I’ve also completed acceptance testing on both new-build and retrofit projects. It’s been interesting to see how retrofit schemes manage challenges such as resident communication, access arrangements and construction programme constraints. While Asset Management focuses on operational performance after handover, Quality Assurance gives me the opportunity to help ensure systems are built to operate efficiently and reliably in the first place. Together, the two experiences have provided a strong technical foundation and a much broader understanding of heat networks.

Finding a Home in London

Moving countries is never easy.

Leaving Canada meant saying goodbye to friends, colleagues and a city I had called home for years. London initially felt vast, fast-paced and difficult to navigate.

Over time, I have built a strong support network and found a sense of belonging. FairHeat played a major role, making me feel welcome and helping me settle into work and life in the UK.

As a Canadian, adapting to British culture was relatively easy, as there are many similarities and there is a large Canadian community in London. As someone coming from abroad, London is a great place to live and work. There are lots of people in the same boat, which makes it easier to develop social circles and find people with similar experiences.

Despite its reputation, the weather also really isn’t that bad! Coming from the long and (extremely) cold Montreal winters, it didn’t even feel like winter happened. Being outdoors year-round without heavy boots and a winter coat feels like a luxury!

More Than Just an Engineering Role

One thing that has stood out to me at FairHeat is the opportunity to contribute beyond day-to-day project work.

I represented Asset Management on the Process Committee, helping introduce processes that improved efficiency in the then-new department.

I’ve also been closely involved in FairREACH, one of the most rewarding parts of my time here and a key reason I joined FairHeat. I believe that having a dedicated committee to champion ethnic minorities is a strong reflection of a company’s values.

Through FairREACH, I’ve visited schools to introduce students from underrepresented communities to energy, decarbonisation and engineering. Volunteering for initiatives like these is something I care deeply about, as it provides access to knowledge and opportunities to people who otherwise may never have had these conversations.

 

Looking Ahead

I am really looking forward to continuing to learn. It sounds cliché, but I genuinely feel like I learn something new every day at FairHeat, which makes me excited to go to work.

Outside work, I look forward to continuing to explore London and travelling across the UK and Europe. And, of course, I am excited to see Arsenal lift the Premier League trophy again.

My advice to any early career professionals considering a big move or career change is to not be afraid to take the leap of faith! Early career is the time to take risks, and while moving abroad or changing jobs can be daunting, it can also be incredibly rewarding and open doors you didn’t know existed.