Howard Johns – Managing Director    

Howard Johns is the founder of Southern Solar Ltd, and has been installing solar hot water systems and other small scale renewable energy systems for over nine years. He has been involved in energy technologies for the last fifteen years after completing a degree in "Energy and Environmental Technology".  He is a qualified plumber with a wide range of practical experience, and also has a qualification in solar electrics.

Howard is also Chairman of the Solar Trade Association (STA), and has been actively involved in lobbying Government to try to improve conditions for the industry. The STA represents over 150 solar energy companies in the UK.

When not at work I spend my time at home with my young son and lovely wife, working in the garden, enjoying music, and lazing in my homemade solar and wood powered hot tub!

Simon Griffiths – Director

Simon has been involved with Southern Solar since its inception and has helped to grow the company over the last six years. He manages the activity of largest office - the Head Office in Sussex. “My role includes everything from surveying, quoting and project managing commercial and public sector contracts, right through to scheduling, financial and personal management. As a director I feed into the overall direction of the company with a special focus on development IT systems.

Working at Southern Solar provides me with a satisfying challenge. The business was founded on strong ideals and these are still core to my working day. I aspire to a working environment that is making a difference, sustainable, has a healthy live style and is profitable.”

Luke Hutchison - HR and Technical Director

Luke has been with Southern Solar since 2002, helping to set up the company and establishing the Bristol branch. He has a Masters Degree in Engineering as well as having previously trained as a plumber and gas heating engineer. As a director he covers many of the internal systems and relationships within the company. His main areas are: building relationships with our key suppliers; ensuring our technical staff have the resources to deliver high quality systems to our clients; establishing our HR systems; and ensuring staff are supported to maintain the values and ethos of the company. He says, “Southern Solar, along with the whole solar industry, is a continually growing and evolving. We are always striving to provide a high quality service, in conjunction with building high quality relationships. Our people are our greatest asset and I hope that you will find working with us to be both professional and personally rewarding.” Howard and Luke have known each other since their late teens having met at university through the student green group. He lives in Bristol with his wife and two daughters. In his spare time he enjoys walking and teaches Iyengar yoga.

Ben Whittle - Technical Manager

"I have now been working for Southern Solar for nearly 10 years, and I have done everything from getting wet on a roof to giving presentations to large businesses or local councils. During this time I have seen Southern Solar grow from an idea to a highly successful company. What has kept me here is that everyone who works for Southern Solar genuinely wants to get solar into the area they live and work without sacrificing their principles. Hopefully the breadth of my experience from the bottom up helps me in my role as the Technical Manager.

When I'm not trying to help the company improve the way it works and supporting the branches, you'll find me taking photos or enjoying some good food and wine with my family..."

Neil Waller - Financial Controller

I joined Southern Solar in December 2009, having spent the past 9 years working for a construction company. It is refreshing and empowering to work for a company whose key aim is to protect and improve the world in which we live rather than use and abuse it for profit.

Away from Southern Solar I can be found at the cribbage table, bean counting, snowboarding in the Alps, beside a BBQ or serving on my local council. Thankfully I am yet to be burnt by the BBQ or the expenses scandal.

William Garnier - National Sales Manager

“Starting off my career in the mid ‘90’s as a tree surgeon and forestry management I am very pleased now to be working in the equally healthy environment of Southern Solar. Along the way I developed a range of business skills in the recruitment, retail, and public sectors. The opportunities that abound in the renewable energy sector currently are large and it is exciting to be part of this with an established company which has for a long time traded on its quality of service. Key, however, to my decision to accept an offer with Southern Solar was the strength of the business culture and holistic ethic that clearly runs deep throughout all the branches. Business is not just about making money, not when we spend so much of our lives working. It is about enjoying doing well a valuable job with colleagues who share the same pleasure in making a difference. I look forward to playing my part in developing and promoting the work and culture of Southern Solar for many years.

Most watersports keep me happy outside of work but hills are good for walking and mountain biking. Throw in to the mix good friends, the lie that I can actually play the guitar, and we have Happy Days.”

Vicky Treen – Marketing Manager

Vicky looks after Southern Solar's marketing,  working on the companies website, marketing materials and events. "It's great promoting a company that I'm really passionate about, the renewables industry is really exciting at the moment and its great to be working around people that are enthusiastic and forward thinking, when I'm not in the office I'm generally out the back of the office where Annie and I keep a hive of bees and hopefully this year everybody will be getting jars of honey for Christmas!"

Living in central Brighton means that there’s always something to do, so when I’m not at work I’m usually wandering around an art exhibition or out at live music events.

Suzanne Mehdi - Head Office Coordinator

I joined Southern Solar as Head Office Coordinator in November 2010 and so far I love working here. I assist the Head Office staff and management with administration and generally help to keep things ticking along(!)

I’ve previously worked in construction as a Project Manager and for companies involved in helping to reduce carbon emissions. I have always been interested in renewable energy as it seems logical to harness this rather than continue to deplete the planets finite resources at current rates. It’s great to be working with such a lovely bunch of people and within a company where everyone shares the same values of being socially and environmentally conscious. It’s good to know that in supporting the use of solar energy that I’m helping to do my bit in preserving our environment.

In my spare time my passion is playing percussion, mainly Brazilian styles including Maracatu, Baiao and Coco. I also love dancing and singing and practice Capoeira a Brazilian martial art/dance. If you are in Brighton in the summer there’s every chance you’ll see me parading along the seafront playing a drum!

Darren Whatford ICT Coordinator

I look after all the hardware/software maintenance and support for our web-based applications, the servers, laptops, printers, phones and mobiles for Head Office and all our branches. I love the fact that I now have a 10 minute cycle to work, rather than an hours drive in the car –  doing my bit to save the planet by reducing my carbon footprint.  Plus this is a great opportunity for me to help improve the IT infrastructure. When I’m not at work, I love spending time with my family, walking the dog and going on as many holidays as time and money will allow – especially skiing/snowboarding, which has been my passion for over 20 years – not that I look old enough to have been skiing for that long but it’s true!

Emilia Gzyl - HR Administrator

I joined Southern Solar as HR Administrator in July 2011 and I feel very lucky to be working here. It is a quickly expanding business and I feel privileged to be part of its recruitment process.  My role is to assist Branch Managers with recruitment and HR systems and also provide up to date legal advice.  I oversee the administration of the company induction, appraisal, training and leaving processes. It’s very exciting and empowering to be working with like minded people for a company with good ethical values, who are passionate about renewable energy.
Outside work I use my massage skills and offer Thai and Lomi Lomi Massage to people in Bristol. I have always been interested in body mechanics and movement, for the last 5 years have been dedicated to practice Contact Improvisation Dance and attend different workshops and festivals in UK and abroad. I use every opportunity to travel or if at home watch a good movie.

Joe Heath PV Projects Team Manager

A recent recruit to Southern Solar, Joe has worked in the PV industry for 6 years and has experience of managing some of the largest installations in the UK. He’s studying for an Msc in Renewable Energy Engineering and also tries to find time to explore the countryside with his new wife.

As an exile from the Lake District Joe is regularly drawn back to the mountains and enjoys skiing, climbing, trekking and a mug of wine round the campfire with friends.

I was attracted to the PV industry because of my ideals of sustainability and ecology and still get a real buzz every time we take on a new or interesting project. Because the UK PV industry is so undeveloped we’re always breaking new ground with bigger and better installations. It’s a really exciting time to be working in this area and long may it continue.

James Cooper Senior Project Manager

James has recently joined us to work on our large PV projects around the country. As well several years' experience in commercial PV project design and management, he has a postgraduate masters degree in Renewable Energy Systems Technology and is working towards a full engineering charter.
He tells us "Running a charitable project after my first degree showed me that we all have a chance to make a real difference with our lives. As it ended, we in the UK were starting to awaken to the fact that energy is a real issue, so I decided to put my money where my mouth was and get involved ... fast forward four years and I'm looking forward to developing large scale projects with a company demanding high ethical, environmental and engineering standards."
When he's not got his work hat on (James is likely to have a hat of some kind!) he can normally be found outside somewhere, whether it's digging up his veg-patch, climbing walls, hiking or just bouncing along to bands in a field!

Bethany Aspinall Assistant Project Manager

I work within the large projects/technical team, working on tenders, planning applications and giving project support across the company.
Having been in the renewable energy sector for 5 years. I love being hands on in an environmental company, committed to making a visible difference. Working with a variety of people to bring together all scale of projects.
Outside of work I’ve been a Brownie Leader for around 10 years, I also love cooking, being the best aunty and  experimenting with photography whenever I get the chance.

 Chris Ball Health, Safety and Quality Manager

I have recently joined the Head office team at Southern Solar as the Quality, Health and Safety Manager. Following the completion of a Construction Management degree in 2005 I worked as an engineer and Manager for a large construction company in the south west before finding a position within a company in a growing industry that allows me to offer my knowledge and experience as well as a passion for renewables.
I strongly believe that it’s very healthy to have a good work/life balance, and playing sport is a good way to stay fit, socialise and relax. Playing Football, Tennis and Mountain biking are hobbies that are an essential part of my weekly routine.
I have a good social life outside of work and it helps to be part of a team of people that are very approachable with a good attitude towards their work, it makes working within the team far easier and more enjoyable.