Iona Gourlay

Current Employer/Organisation Name

Equans UK & Ireland 

What have you been doing since leaving Exeter, and what are you doing now?

Since leaving Exeter, I joined Bouygues Energies & Services on their general graduate scheme, a building and infrastructure management company. This scheme involved 4 x 6-month placements across the business, for me these were in the Communications Team (head office), Operational and Projects Team (Hospital site), Sustainability and Environment Team (head office) and Energy Focused Facilities Management Team (head office). As a rotational graduate I developed an understanding of how a business functions and how sustainability fits into every part of its operations. I then joined the Sustainability and Environment Team full-time and have been there for two years, covering the Facilities Management and Energy divisions of the business.

During my time in the company, I have experienced Bouygues globally acquiring Equans and the rebranding of the business to Equans UK & Ireland.  

Why did you choose this career? And what do you enjoy most about your work?

I wanted a career in sustainability so I could work in a role actively making positive contributions to the world. The built environment contributes to around 40% of global carbon emissions, and in my job, I can influence how buildings are designed, constructed, and operated to reduce emissions, improve energy efficiency, and promote low-carbon solutions. I enjoy the vast number of different people I get to interact with at work – driving sustainability involves every team in the business (not just the sustainability team)! The industry is also very fast-moving, so the type of work I am doing is always evolving and innovating, with no day the same.

Part of my role is the delivery of sustainability training and communicating climate change across the business. Through this knowledge sharing, I am empowering others to act as agents of change against the causes and impacts of the climate crisis, and importantly, enabling the business to approach its sustainability journey more flexibly, leaving no one behind! 

What did you enjoy most about your programme and what was the biggest highlight?

I enjoyed the variety of modules I could take and the mix of assessment styles. The programme was very hands-on and interactive, which I loved as I got to know my coursemates well through fieldwork trips and lab time. 

What did you most enjoy about studying here?

I loved how close the city is to the beach and countryside! A lot is going on in the city, but I could walk 20 minutes from my house and be surrounded by the pretty Devon landscape! 

Why did you choose to study at Exeter?

The course modules offered were exactly what I was looking for when choosing to pursue Geography, the variety of sporting clubs and excellent facilities, and finally, being from the countryside, I liked that the city was busy but not overwhelmingly large. 

What skills and experiences have been most useful for your career?

Numbers and data – data is power, so understanding this is vital when trying to drive sustainable change.

Communicating – in my role, I often have to translate technical information into accessible language, engaging with a diverse range of stakeholders.

Collaboration and project management – I work with colleagues across numerous departments, so collaboration is key, alongside managing timelines and navigating competing priorities.

Being able to rotate across different teams on the graduate scheme has been fundamental in increasing my understanding of the built environment industry and in understanding how a business operates. 

What advice would you give to a current student who wishes to pursue your career?

I think it is really important that you feel passionate about the role or skills you desire. If you’re passionate about creating positive changes, you’ll naturally be motivated, committed and focused. I would recommend researching the current issues around sustainability in the industry you would like a career in, so you can understand the problem better. Finally, ask questions! Reach out to those in your network or business who work in sustainability and ask how you can get involved.

What are your plans for the future?

The nature of sustainability means you can’t predict too far into the future, as new opportunities are arising all the time; however, I hope to tailor my career towards sustainability risk management, strategy and policy implementation.