Meet the Team: Ben Cole, Commercial Executive

With 2022 well underway, our Commercial Executive, Ben, chatted to us about his role, his interest in the renewable energy industry, and his great passion for music.

Meet the Team: Ben Cole, Commercial Executive

Ben joined Moixa seven months ago as a Commercial Executive, and his role involves supporting the commercial team via project work relating to Moixa’s strategic business decisions and growth.

Before joining Moixa, Ben worked in financial services for around two years following graduation. Before that, he gained experience in financial asset management through summer internships.

Ben holds an MSc in Chemistry from UCL (University College London). His course, sparking his interest in the renewable energy space, focused on several environmental modules, including green chemistry, the chemistry of batteries, and PV solutions.

How did you first hear about Moixa?

I found Moixa when searching on Google for the top 100 UK based renewable energy startups. I outlined that the renewable energy industry had an overlap with my degree, was driving towards a clear end goal, and aligned with my values of wanting to learn. Moixa stood out to me due to its case studies in flexibility services and virtual power plants (VPPs), which interested me as a newcomer to the industry, and these topics now come up a lot within my role.

What made you want to take the job?

It was definitely a no-brainer. I could sense through the hiring process that this was the team I wanted to work with. Paired with Moixa’s cutting-edge technology, such as our GridShare software, I felt this was the right fit for me.

What elements of Moixa and our business are you most passionate about?

There are multiple elements. Firstly, the fact that Moixa is working in a sector that is in its infancy and constantly innovating means the learning opportunities are never-ending, which is what I value in my daily work.

Secondly, I love the culture. I get on with everybody in the team, and everyone is very open to conversations to talk about their particular business area and collaboration. I also love the fact that Moixa’s culture is very inclusive, and there are a lot of initiatives going on to support inclusion and the team’s wellbeing.

What is the most interesting thing you have learnt whilst working at Moixa?

Probably the breadth of projects that we have worked on and continue to work on, and how many applications our GridShare software can be used for.

GridShare is our customisable cloud-based software platform that connects storage devices to the grid to enable smart energy management. We work with a wide range of clients, from utilities and social housing associations to fleet operators and distribution network operators, helping them deliver value to their customers while supporting a greener grid.

Find out more about our partnership with DNO UK Power Networks to unlock flexibility at a domestic level by leveraging our technology.

What are the essential skills you need to be successful in your role?

In general, if you have the skills to complement your colleagues and provide a viewpoint different to theirs, I regard this as the key to success, not only in this role but businesswide.

Other than this, I have always had an ability to pick up intricate details like a sponge, which was useful for my degree and I now use this skill day to day for my research projects within Moixa.

What motivates you?

Learning is definitely a key driver in my day to day life. The renewable energy industry provides the perfect platform to integrate learning into a role because of the mixture of new developments, technical details, policy and commercial implications.

What is the one thing we should know about you that isn’t on your CV or LinkedIn Profile?

This is a bit of a cheat because it is on my CV, but my DJing & musical side is definitely a big part of my life outside work.

I couldn’t live without music. I’m currently enjoying Soichi Terada’s new album ‘Asakusa Light’. He is an interesting guy as he used to write songs for video games and was a real crowd-pleaser when I saw him live in Paris at La Machine du Moulin Rouge.

Ben deejayed at our last company party and got everyone to the dance floor! 🙂

What is one great piece of career advice you have been given?

Find what your unique combination of skills is.

A huge thank you to Ben for taking the time out to discuss his life at Moixa. You can connect with Ben on LinkedIn here.

If you would like to hear more about available roles at Moixa, visit our Careers page or get in touch directly with our Talent Acquisition Manager Gail Solomon.