Founder of recruitment company, Storm 4, Kayleigh Bottomley, spoke to us about how in the world of green tech, the future is full of limitless opportunity.

Growing up, numbers were a passion of mine, and so I started an Actuarial Science degree at the University of Kent but after needing to leave early so my younger sister could move in with me I started my financial services career and soon after became the youngest bank manager for Santander, however I wasn’t passionate about this career and after taking the leap to move to London choosing my next career path was an easy one for me; what better way to combine my passion with a love for people than to get into recruiting! And that’s what led me to the energy sector. For over 8 years, I worked in the energy industry in West Africa and for a further 3 into the London Technology market. As the effects of climate change increasingly become tangible, I saw an opportunity to do what I love in a maturing market disrupting the energy sector; GreenTech. So amidst a global pandemic in 2020, Storm4 was born, on a mission to help scale GreenTech startups fighting for a sustainable future with incredibly diverse talent. Fast forward 1 year, and we have partnered with innovative businesses across Future Mobility, Clean Energy, Smart (Grid, Metering, Water & Home), AgTech and Food, Energy Storage and Decarbonisation.

I grew up in nightclubs and pubs as my Mum is a Publican which has made me a night owl, I can’t get to sleep early or without noise from years of live DJs playing underneath my bedroom. On the flipside I can sleep through anything! I’m also a massive lover of karaoke and will belt out Bruce Springsteen at any given opportunity!

Headline after headline reveals the ongoing climate crisis we are facing today. Temperatures are rising, droughts are becoming longer and tropical storms are more severe. The planet is now paying the price for the catastrophic impact of human activity, and it is down to us (humans), to reverse our impacts and combat the imminent effects of climate change. Sustainability is the answer and as such, a ‘Green Revolution’ is at hand. Global leaders have pledged to take action through net-zero initiatives and entrepreneurs have stepped up to the plate with an army of green technologies at the cutting edge of renewable energy and ‘clean’ innovations. Embracing a sustainable future will have a profound impact economically, socially and environmentally, and above all else, ensures there is a future for generations to come.

The opportunity is limitless. Already in the period the GreenTech industry has come to market, it has shown it is so much more than just planting trees and cutting down energy bills. We are seeing flying taxis (aka eVTOLs), lab-grown food, indoor and vertical farming, carbon credits, smart cities, EV charging hubs…the list goes on. This is what excites me about the industry and it is an honour to be working alongside these companies and being a part of their success. In 10 years from now, advancements in technology will bring more mind-blowing innovations than what I have just listed. I believe the world will be better connected, the planet will be on a healthy trajectory to restoration and the importance of sustainability will continue to be at the forefront of regulations and consumerism.

It’s important to recognize that it’s not just governments and organisations who have a responsibility to combat climate change, it’s the responsibility of all of us. From swapping petrol vehicles to electric, using reusable alternatives and switching to energy-efficient appliances, to eating less meat, growing produce and donating unused items, there are many ways to embrace sustainable living. Small lifestyle changes are still a slice of the climate solution pie; anything that can be done is a step forward in the fight for a sustainable tomorrow.

Charlie Bingham