Cam Waite
Current Employer/Organisation Name
Downing LLP
What have you been doing since leaving Exeter, and what are you doing now?
When I left Exeter in 2021, I started working at Equitix, a private equity investment firm. There, I started as a Portfolio Analyst in the energy & infrastructure asset management team. This role involved a variety of tasks such as monitoring SCADA systems daily, creating reports for upward reporting to fund managers and external stakeholders, and liaising with operational staff on the ground, including contractors and technical experts. In 2022, my role transitioned to Operations Manager, working on their OFTO (Offshore Transmission network Operator) portfolio, which involved more responsibility in stakeholder communications and management of contracts and contractors. In January 2024, I moved to Downing, where I am a Portfolio Executive, a role very similar to Operations Manager, and here I am responsible for a portfolio of around 100MW of UK utility-scale solar.
Why did you choose this career? And what do you enjoy most about your work?
I initially chose the analyst role as it appealed to my data processing, software, and problem-solving skills, requiring the ability to ingest large amounts of data, identify trends, inconsistencies, and potential issues and then troubleshoot root causes or next steps from this. In my current role, I enjoy the variety, with no two days being the same. For example, I am currently working on a variety of projects, including commissioning new build solar farms, repowering ageing installations, and liaising on site with landowners and contractors on issues ranging from livestock escaping to large-scale construction planning.
What did you enjoy most about your programme and what was the biggest highlight?
A big highlight for me was the ability to choose a variety of modules on the course and tailor the content to my interests and skills.
What did you most enjoy about studying here?
I found the lecturers I was taught by to be really knowledgeable, with interesting commercial experience and backgrounds, and really willing to discuss and share their knowledge, not just in lectures but in discussions and conversations as well.
Why did you choose to study at Exeter?
I chose Exeter as compared to other similar courses, the content seemed most interesting and relevant to me, and it is a well-regarded institution. The chance to live for a year in Penryn didn’t hurt either.
What skills and experiences have been most useful for your career?
My degree has been a solid foundation in the technical skills and knowledge, which have allowed me to build on my soft skills in my role in technical asset management. The biggest of these soft skills which has helped me is communication, for example, being able to parse technical information when speaking with a contractor, checking SCADA, or reading a report and relay it in a way which stakeholders with no technical background can understand and make informed decisions has been a key skill throughout my career since leaving Exeter.
What advice would you give to a current student who wishes to pursue your career?
As I’ve previously mentioned, communication is key to asset management, technical understanding is important, but the day-to-day of my job as an analyst, ops manager, and executive, have all been heavily involved with meetings, report drafting, and a continual information gathering and sharing cycle. Being able to clearly express yourself over email, speaking in meetings and tone your message to your audience is what makes a real difference.
What are your plans for the future?
Currently, I am transitioning from the Portfolio Executive role to Portfolio Manager. In this role, I will be responsible for a team of people doing the role I am currently in. Long term, I hope to continue to grow in this role and remain in the technical asset management, overseeing the operation and construction of solar projects in the UK and hopefully beyond.
