Energy networks profile: Laura O’Donnell, Wales & West Utilities

What’s your current role at WWU and what does your job involve?

I’m currently a First Line Manager in our Despatch team. We’re responsible for allocating emergency gas engineers to gas leaks 24 hour a day 365 days a year, helping them keep local communities safe. I lead a team of despatchers, who deal with emergencies over the course of our shifts.  

What first interested you in being part of the energy industry and how did you join?

I wanted to work somewhere where every day was different, somewhere I could tackle new challenges and have new experiences regularly.  A family member who worked in the industry told me to take a look at Wales & West Utilities which would fit that bill, and they were exactly right! No two days are the same and I have not looked back since I joined.

What’s the most rewarding part of your job?

I am satisfied when we deliver outstanding levels of customer service – both as a company and as a Despatch team. But like most of my colleagues, I get real satisfaction from knowing that the work we are part of is essential to keep families and communities safe. I‘m so proud to be able to say I’m a part of the gas emergency service.

What are the biggest challenges you face in your job?

Maintaining and building new relationships with internal and external customers across operational and back office staff to ensure Wales & West Utilities delivers on its metering contractual obligations, which covers planned maintenance and reactive work across all pressure tiers and attending over 100,000 metering jobs annually.

How do you bring your previous experience from outside the sector to your current role?

I gained communication and customer service skills from my previous career experiences as EXAMPLE. These skills are crucial when dealing with customers and I’m thankful of my previous experience, which has really helped me deal with challenging issues in my current job. 

Now that COVID restrictions are being eased, what are you looking forward to post-pandemic?

A bit of normality! Simple things that we all took a bit too much for granted pre-March 2020.