We’ve recently welcomed Ben Kershaw to the Wave team as our Head of Metering, who’ll be working closely with our new Director of Operations, Pamela.
Ben heads up our Metering department, the team that looks after our customer’s meter reads as well as our meter reading contractors. We wanted to get to know Ben, so we asked him some questions about his new role.
Q: Welcome to Wave, Ben! Tell us about your role and responsibilities as Head of Metering.
A: Thanks, it’s great to be here. The role has a key focus on Smart Metering . I’ll be working with wholesalers and customers to define how Smart Metering will support more accurate water bills, increase the number of actual meter reads we get and I’ll be overseeing the overall metering strategy at Wave. The team has made some great achievements over the last several years so I’m looking forward to working with them and the rest of the business to continue this success.
Q: Have you worked in utilities before?
A: Before joining Wave, I spent five and a half years at Water Plus developing the metering function, and before this I worked at Siemens Managed Services overseeing the United Utilities read contracts for domestic and non-households before the market opened. This time in the industry has helped me create relationships with other retailers, wholesalers, suppliers and contractors which helps me have diverse conversations and work to make improvements in the market.
Q: What do you enjoy about working in the water industry?
A: There’s so much to learn in the water industry that every day is a learning opportunity. The open water market is still relatively new compared to other utilities, so there’s a unique opportunity to be involved in defining how the market should operate, working through challenges and identifying where customer service and data can be improved.
Q: What is it about Wave that made you want to join us?
A: When I saw the role, I knew it was a chance to join a business whose values aligned with my own. It gives me the opportunity to focus on integrating Smart, increase the number of reads we obtain and help improve bill accuracy for our customers.
Q: What have you learned from your first few weeks with Wave?
A: Everyone has been incredibly welcoming and willing to take the time to talk me through their role and what they are working on. Wave promotes a very people-focussed culture and it’s been great to see how well each team works.
Q: We’d love to know more about your life outside of work, what do you enjoy doing?
A: I live just outside of Derby with my rescue Patterdale Terrier, Charlie. In my spare time I love to read – I’ve actually set myself a goal to read 52 books a year! I also like to spend time away with Charlie in my campervan.
Q: Is there any advice you’d give to someone looking to join the water industry?
A: I’d say developing your network and relationships with people across the industry is invaluable. The terminology in the industry is vast, so don’t be afraid to ask what specific phrases mean and how it works. People in the industry have been some of the most supportive and informative I have ever worked with and are more than willing to explain and educate.
If you’re looking to join an award-winning water retailer, we’ve lots of opportunities to start, shape and grow your career. Take a look at our latest positions and how we support our people on our careers page.
