Our Team in Bristol
Follow the Bristol team on their blog
Juliet Morse - Branch Manager
Juliet joined Southern Solar in September 2010 as the Bristol Branch Manager, having previously worked in the energy efficiency and renewable sector for 10 years managing national insulation programmes on behalf of energy utilities and local council renewable energy schemes as long ago as 2004. She has a post graduate Diploma in Climate Change and Sustainable Development.
“What makes Southern Solar such a great place to work is the commitment and energy of everyone who works here to giving our customers the best possible service and quality of installation”.
“I’m really committed to doing my bit to help reduce carbon emissions and have renovated my own home to mimimise energy usage and generate as much of my own heat and power as I can. In my spare time I like to get out to the mountains and hills to enjoy walking, cycling, canyoning and climbing or when I’m at home growing my own fruit and vegetables. “
Jonathon Starks – Domestic Sales Manager
Jon supports Juliet in managing the work of the Bristol branch. He is involved with selling and installation of the full range of systems that we offer. He says about himself: “I did 5 yr apprenticeship in Plumbing and heating after leaving school and then went back to college to do HND in Building. After a short career in the Police force, I worked for Hilti for 13 yrs in various roles, technical sales, field engineer etc. After that I worked for OSO Hot water cylinders in a sales role, also doing service calls. I found I enjoyed doing the service calls far more than the selling so I set myself up as a service engineer
As I have got older I have found myself getting more and more environmentally aware and conscientious and wanted to do something in which I could share my knowledge and learn from like minded people.”
Phil Nelms - Sales Support Coordinator
Phil is the guy on the end of the phone at the Bristol office. He is there to deal with your enquiries as patiently and gracefully as possible and organise surveys for clients.
Phil became interested in renewable energy after working at Bristol’s hub of sustainability – the Create Centre; before going on to write for ecojam.org – a local green news site – before jumping at the opportunity to work in the sector. He enjoys working with people who care as much as he does about decentralised energy systems and working on a community scale.
He also likes guitars, cameras, books and football.
Helen Lacey – Commercial Sales Manager
Helen joined Southern Solar in 2008 and manages public sector and commercial sales in the Bristol office. She works closely with organisations to develop their projects through to installation and deals with all aspects of project development from supporting funding applications and planning applications, to arranging structural surveys and meeting clients. She previously worked as a Community Energy Advisor for the Centre for Sustainable Energy.
She says: 'I enjoy working closely with organisations and helping clients through the various stages to successfully install solar energy. I have always had an interest in the environment and enjoy being part of a small motivated team working towards a more sustainable way of living.'
Aaron Rodway – Project Manager
I have been with Southern Solar for almost two years starting as an installation team member working out of the
Working for Southern Solar gives me a sense of satisfaction as the work we do makes a positive contribution to society and the environment. Having a sense of purpose is important to me as it keeps me motivated. I enjoy working with like-minded people to bring solar energy into our customers’ homes and satisfy the needs of our commercial clients.
Outside of work I am an active person, I enjoy cycling, surfing, playing pool and flying traction kites. My friends and family are important to me and I enjoy socialising, cooking and going to gigs, club nights and music festivals.
Matt Ballam - Project Manager
Matt joined Southern Solar in February '09 following a traineeship with a Bristol based plumbing and heating company. As a qualified and experienced plumber, he's usually found to be swapping hot water cylinders, installing solar thermal panels, running pipe work and tinkering with systems. As well as this, Matt assists with the installation of PV systems. Matt spends much of his spare time with his lovely wife Lisa and socialising with friends.
'Southern Solar are an exciting organisation to work for, this is due to their ambitious expansion plans, their strong team ethic and their technical know how.'
'Where better to be working than in the renewable's industry as a plumber right now. There's so much opportunity. Limiting the use of non-renewable fuel sources is the only way - solar makes complete sense.'
Tom Bellamy - Installation Team Leader
I am solar installer and a qualified roofer. My day starts in the yard where the equipment required for the days jobs is selected and loaded into the van. Depending on which type of roof determines which fittings and fixtures we use.
Once on site my job is to assist the team leaders with the installation of the solar panels. I am able to carry out a lot of the pipe work on my own already but require more experience before I am comfortable working on the cylinders. I am not yet doing any electrical work but it is something that I am keen to learn. The most important task of any day is to watch, listen and learn. The prospects of working in a growth industry such as this are exciting.
Jonathan Jarman - Operations Support Coordinator
I joined southern Solar at the start of 2011 after graduating from Bournemouth University with a degree in product design. Solar power has always fascinated me, and to be part of a company that is helping make solar power part of everyday life is a real bonus
My job here at Southern Solar is to help make sure everyone, from our installers to our customers has the right paperwork and equipment to have a happy installation. Stock ordering, electrical schematic creating, and installation folder making are all part of my day. I am slowly gaining extra responsibilities on the way and am really enjoying the challenge. It’s who you work with which makes a job what it is and I have never worked in such a happy environment with such genuine, friendly people. The biggest thing I have noticed is how everyone here at Southern Solar really takes pride in their work, and wants to do the best job possible, It’s a real privilege to be part of such a dedicated team.
As for me, I am a hands on person and in my spare time i am always working on my car and making and growing things, I love the outdoors, especially the sea and speeding down hills on my bike, I also enjoy music festivals and gigs and spending time with my friends, one of my hobbies is djing (if only to the fans in my flat) the best part of which is discovering new tunes to play and mix.
Dan Patchett - Installation Team Member
During the 3 months I have worked for Southern Solar I have met some fantastic people who share the same inspirations as I do. This provides me with a great working environment which is very important to me and helps me to work to the best of my ability.
Coming from an on site background I am currently blessed with working with such a dynamic team with which I hope to improve my skills and learn more about the green energy world.
