Acting on carbon: our Net Zero Projects Lead

Part of the Sustainability Team, Nicola helps Robertson and our customers on the journey to net zero. Her remit includes enabling delivery of buildings with net zero targets – from materials used and reducing embodied carbon, to aligning with customer targets and ensuring projects meet funding and legal obligations. We spoke to Nicola to find out more about her work and living a more sustainable lifestyle.

Motivated by work experience

Nicola had her sights set on a career in the built environment from her teens. During work experience in an architectural practice, she realised that was the job for her so continued part-time while she finished school. As part of her university studies to become a fully-qualified architect, she headed to New Zealand for a year where she carried out government research to assess commercial building performance – work that inspired her interest in building energy performance. 

What brought you to Robertson? “After graduating I set up my own architectural practice then went on to spend a few years working in offsite timber construction to develop mass timber and timber-frame homes. A few years later, Robertson asked if I'd be interested in a new role as technical manager for Robertson Timber Engineering in Elgin. It was a great match, in a great area, and I’ve been here ever since.” 

You’re now our Net Zero Project Lead? “Yes, I’ve always been interested in sustainability. As we moved forward with our net zero ambitions as a business, it opened up a new job opportunity and I was delighted to be appointed.”

What progress have you seen in the industry in terms of carbon reduction? “There’s been a real shift in attitudes in recent years. Sustainability measures are no longer optional in construction. Net zero ambitions are linked to funding and legislation, and supporting the sustainability agenda is now essential to securing a place on procurement frameworks. Today's customers are far more informed too, and clear in their requirements. Through these efforts to reduce environmental impact, we're creating far healthier building environments for people which is great.”

Looking ahead, what are the challenges and opportunities as we progress our net zero ambitions at Robertson? “Technology is helping us overcome some big challenges. For instance, smarter tools have come to market which means we can better assess if buildings are performing as designed. Take a Passivhaus building which is designed to rigorous energy-efficiency standards. By using energy balancing tools and a thorough quality assurance process with the aid of 3D headcams, we can assure that the building won’t use more energy for heating and hot water than expected.”

"New low carbon technologies such as heat networks are opening up huge opportunities – these networks supply heat to buildings from a central source, so omit the need for individual gas boilers. It's a growing area for us."

Everyday sustainability

Nicola picked up the Net Zero Champion Award at our 2024 Robertson Outstanding Contributions Awards, an event to celebrate employees recognised by colleagues for their exceptional achievements. 

In her ROCAs nomination, Nicola was described as ‘an exceptional leader of net zero principles both personally and professionally’. Here are a few ways she's creating a more sustainable lifestyle:

A low-energy home: my house was built offsite using timber frame, has solar power, is highly insulated and airtight. It also has a mechanical ventilation heat recovery (MVHR) system which avoids the need for trickle vents in windows – this cuts out almost all ventilation heat loss in the house to provide a healthy indoor environment. 

I've also built a garden workshop from bio-based materials including locally-sourced larch timber, wood fibre insulation and clay boards – there was virtually zero waste in the construction, with any offcuts going into our compost.

Pro-actively low carbon: I cycle wherever I can. I’m also the Sustainability Officer at a local snowsports club with over 250 members, where I look how and when we should travel to the mountains, promote repairing ski and snowboard equipment, and making the most of the current resources we have at the club.

An appetite for sustainable food: I buy local wherever possible and grow some of my own food. I thoroughly recommend investing in a polytunnel which really helps extend the growing season – especially in the north of Scotland! And the Fork Ranger app is great for tips and recipes using sustainably-produced foods.