Company Personnel

Simon M Woodward - Chief Executive

Simon graduated in 1987 with a 2:1 BSc (Hons) degree in Energy Technology and Management from Swansea University and spent four years working with WS Atkins engineering consultants in Epsom on energy management projects. In July 1991 he joined Utilicom as Engineering Manager spending his time in this position designing and managing the construction of extensions to the Southampton District Heating scheme, including the connection of the RSH Hospital and the DeVere Grand Harbour Hotel, together with other capital works for Utilicom Limited. Following a review by the Board and a restructuring of UK operations he was appointed Chief Executive in July 1996.  Simon is still actively involved in the Company’s projects and qualified as a Chartered Engineer in July 1997.

Mike Smith – Non-Executive Director, Public Sector Advisor

Mike joins Utilicom from Southampton City Council, he was formerly Executive Director of Southampton City Council – a position he held for 19 years and previously Director of Finance for the Southampton City Council.

Mike is a Chartered Public Service Accountant, holds a Diploma in Management Studies and is a Chartered Manager.  He is a former Vice President of the Combined Heat and Power Association, the Local Government Champion for the Combined Heat and Power Club, and a Director of Southampton Sustainable Energy Limited.

Mike’s role within Utilicom is to provide consulting advice, representation at Local Authority level and facilitate dialogue with the Public Sector.  Mike brings a wealth of experience in terms of meeting Public Sector Sustainability aspirations and the successful delivery of the UK’s largest commercially viable district energy scheme – the Southampton City CHP/District Energy Scheme in partnership with Utilicom.

Vaughan Furniss – Commercial Manager

Vaughan joined Utilicom in 2005, having spent 8 years working for Windsor Engineering Group Ltd in Australia, North and South America in the sale, design and commissioning of large industrial heat exchangers, timber drying kilns and biomass energy systems. Since joining Utilicom, Vaughan has rapidly established himself as a leading authority on district energy schemes, focusing on financial and commercial viability of UK based schemes. Vaughan worked closely with Simon in securing the energy supply agreements (Birmingham City Council, Aston University and Birmingham Children’s Hospital) leading to the formation of Birmingham District Energy Company Limited, as well as Housing & Community Authority Low Carbon Infrastructure Fund grants (Birmingham & Southampton), plus numerous energy supply connections to Utilicom’s Southampton and Birmingham district energy schemes.

Vaughan has a BE (Hons) degree in Mechanical Engineering, is a Chartered Professional Engineer (CP Eng: Decentralised energy schemes/sustainable and renewable energy systems), International Professional Engineers Register, a member of the Institute of Professional Engineers of New Zealand and an associate member to the Energy Institute.

Paul Laidlaw – Chief Operating Officer

Paul joined Utilicom in 2007 as Chief Operations Officer having spent over 12 years working at BAA plc in various Design, Engineering Management, Facilities Management and Operational roles at Gatwick and Heathrow Airports. Prior to BAA plc Paul spent 5 years working as a Project Manager and Construction Manager at Babcock Energy Limited on numerous Power Station and other heavy engineering projects in the UK and overseas.

Paul has a BEng (Hons) Degree in Mechanical Engineering and became a Chartered Engineer and member of the Institute of Mechanical Engineers in 1997. He is also a member of the British Institute of Facilities Managers (2006).

David Culver – Chief Design Engineering

David joined Utilicom in September 1992 having previously worked for Schlumberger and the Building Research Establishment. He has a BSc (Hons) degree in Mechanical Engineering from Bristol University and an MSc in Energy in Buildings. David joined as the Operations Manager for the Southern region in 1992 and held this position until September 1996 when he was appointed as Utilicom’s Engineering Manager.  In December 1997 David’s team of graduate based design engineers were formed into a Design & Consultancy practice in their own right. 

Luke Thomas - Construction Manager

Luke joined Utilicom in 2002 as a Project Engineer carrying out feasibility studies, energy audits and completing designs for conventional and district energy systems. Luke progressed into construction and has a wealth of experience in the design, construction and handover of district energy systems and associated heat and power plant. Luke recently led the in house Construction Team to deliver Birmingham’s first combined heat and power led district energy scheme, heating several of Birmingham’s most prestigious buildings. Luke has a BEng (Hons) Degree in Mechanical Engineering.

Luke was promoted to the position of Construction Manager in 2007, and leads a team of experienced project managers in delivering new schemes and energy connections to Utilicom’s Southampton, Birmingham and London schemes.

Carol J Bostock – Human Resources Manager

Carol joined Utilicom as a Consultant in 2001 and accepted a permanent position in October 2003.  Carol has more than fifteen years experience in HR, training and general management including two years on the prestigious BOC HR Renew project.  Carol works with Michael Watts to ensure our staff receive high quality training, and she is also responsible for implementing the company’s Equal Opportunities policy.