Interview

A Day in the Life… Kensa Heat Pumps’ Dan Roberts

We’re pleased to welcome Dan Roberts, the technical director at Kensa Heat Pumps, to our feature that looks behind the lens at a day in the life of key people in the industry. 
 
Name: Dan Roberts 
Organisation: Kensa Heat Pumps 
Job title: Technical Director 
Location in the UK: Cornwall 

My alarm goes off at …  

7am but I am often woken by my wife’s alarm going off at 6:30am. 

The first thing I do each day is … 

I like to spend some time with my two daughters each morning. Five minutes spent bickering over getting ready for school and making lunches somehow fuels the day ahead like nothing else. 

I prepare for the day ahead by … 

When I get to the office, I like to review my to-do list, having prepared it the evening prior. I find writing down everything needing to be done and issues to overcome both cathartic and productive for planning my day ahead.  

I can’t leave the house without … 

My phone and wallet.

My typical day…  

The first thing I do is head straight for the coffee machine and get a pot on. I’ll drink my coffee while reviewing the day’s plan and responding to emails. After that, I’ll walk over to our technical support department for a catchup with the team.  

The rest of the morning is often taken up with planned meetings. Usually, these are with our R&D team, which has seen significant growth over recent years, and we have plans to continue that growth. 

The team is working on many improvements to our existing product range and exciting new products such as our Q Series of heat pumps. This new series of heat pumps is working up to a first production run in October of the 80Kw model, and I attempt to join the daily project meetings as much as possible.

The rest of the day is spent either in meetings with the wider Kensa Group or reviewing reports, fact sheets and other documentation. I am very lucky that my role gets to spend time with many, if not all, the departments within the Kensa Group.  

My most memorable work moment … 

There have been quite a few over the 15 years at Kensa, but the one that stands out was from one of my early projects working with Kensa Contracting.  

We were installing our shoebox heat pumps into 130 properties across 13 sites in the Midlands under the management of a local housing association. Whilst overcoming the challenges of a project such as that was momentous enough, it was the first time I witnessed the social impact of installing a GSHP in a property where a tenant was previously in fuel poverty.  

One tenant, in particular, stands out; unfortunately, they suffered from motor neuron disease and spent the winter months confined to the front room, the only room in the house they could afford to heat.  

Three months after installing a ground source heat pump, he was able to heat the full property, which proved to be a significant benefit to his health. There have been many more occurrences such as this over the years, but I will never forget the impact made to that individual on a personal level. 

The best part of my job … 

It has to be working with the team at Kensa, a group of individuals focused on delivering the best outcomes possible for the environment, our customers and each other.  

I relax after work by … 

Like most people, the evenings can be very hectic, but I usually manage to sit down at some point and watch a bit of TV with my wife, Claire, after the kids are in bed. As a family we like to relax at weekends by walking the dog, doing a bit of work in the allotment, watching my kids play rugby and, if I am very lucky, a spot of fishing.  

On my bedside table is … 

My Kindle, I really find reading prior to sleep helps me unwind after a hectic day. Nothing too taxing, historical fiction or something that usually offers a little escapism.  

The last thing I do each day is … 

Wake the wife, her having fallen asleep on the sofa, put the dogs out for a last visit to the garden and check the kids are still asleep.  

I’m normally in bed by … 

10pm, I’m definitely one that needs a good seven kip if I’m hoping to function the next day.  

Would you like to feature in our ‘day in the life’ segment? Drop us a line at natalie@andpublishing.co.uk and we’ll be in touch.