Resource
05 Jun 2025
Nick Drake has spent nearly two decades driving sustainability in the UK and internationally, from mega construction projects like Heathrow Terminal 5C and Battersea Power Station, to leading roles at Selfridges, SGN and the Crown Commercial Service. Now, as newly appointed Director of Net Zero at Zenergi, he’s on a mission to demystify decarbonisation and help organisations unlock the real-world benefits of sustainable change.
“A pathway to net zero should not only be considered as immediately requiring vast sums of investment and money, but it can also be realised through no-cost or low-cost improvements, such as switching things off or ensuring timers and thermostats are correctly set up.”
What really appealed to me was Zenergi’s structured and practical approach to sustainability. The first step is measuring when and where energy is used, secondly to prepare and plan, and then, finally, delivering meaningful changes. Ultimately, I’m here because I want to make the biggest possible contribution to reducing climate change. One way I can do that is to help businesses across the UK see how their decisions and actions impact on climate so that they can make meaningful changes.
Like many, I didn’t have a clear idea for where my career might take me and instead, let my interests guide me. After studying Geography and later completing an MSc in Climate Change, I started out as a Sustainability Manager with Carillion, working on the £365m Heathrow T5C project. I soon realised just how broad sustainability could be, with responsibilities across charity work, recycling, reducing water and more. That led me to Canada, where I became Head of Sustainability for Carillion Canada and back again to the UK working across construction, retail and government, often helping large, complex organisations take meaningful steps towards net zero.
It stems from a lifelong interest in the Earth, science and being the best person I can be for the short amount of time I’m here. My father was a hard-working, self-made businessman who was awarded an OBE after retirement for his services to charity. I grew up learning the value of giving back to those less fortunate and have always wanted to follow that same ethos of purpose and contributing to a better society.
What I’ve learned is this: people do really want to work on net zero, climate and sustainability – but they often feel paralysed by complexity or jargon. This is also marred by a wealth of misinformation and frequent attempts to counter progress. It’s my job to cut through complexity and show how simple, cost-effective steps can spark big change.
The biggest issue is still mindset. Too often, sustainability is treated as a bolt-on or something for the environment team to “deal with.” But in reality, it’s about performance. When speaking to senior teams, we should be emphasising that sustainability reduces costs, attracts customers, boosts staff morale and improves your brand. If I say, “switch to LED lighting and save 300g of carbon,” that doesn’t land. But if I say it: ‘cuts your energy bill by £400 a month’, that gets attention. It’s important to speak in outcomes, not carbon.
Where Zenergi truly adds value is in simplifying what can feel like a complex and technical space. We help organisations translate net zero goals into practical, achievable actions, cutting through jargon to focus on what really works. That clarity is often the difference between good intentions and real, lasting impact.
In my experience, clients often come to Zenergi for a specific ask, such as completing a SECR or ESOS audit, but soon realise the multitude of other services that we can assist with. By showing that a broader, inclusive net zero approach can deliver benefits that they hadn’t even realised yet, we’re often able to make substantial savings and improvements across an organisation.
Keep it simple and inclusive. Involve everyone in your organisation. People want to contribute. Celebrate progress, reward behaviour changes and give staff the knowledge to act. Sustainability works best when it’s a collective effort.
