Chris Poulton and the power of raising the bar

One year on for Chris and the difference is clear

This month marks one year since Chris Poulton joined eEnergy as Operations Director for Lighting – and from day one, things started to shift.

Chris didn’t arrive quietly. He brought questions. Lots of them. Not to disrupt, but to understand. To challenge. To see if we could go further and do better – without compromise. Backed by over 25 years of experience in the lighting industry, he’s used to leading from the front, solving problems practically, and getting stuck in. But what truly sets Chris apart is the way he brings people with him – creating teams that care deeply about quality, customer experience, and doing things properly.

Over the last 12 months, Chris has helped us transform how we approach every part of our lighting delivery. He started by building from the ground up – hiring internal surveyors so we could take full ownership of quality, and bringing in a dedicated warranty engineer to make sure aftercare was never an afterthought. He restructured the operations team to be more agile, more accountable, and more connected to our customers. And with two new apprentices joining the ranks, he ensured we were also looking forward – investing in the next generation of talent.

Chris has a firm belief that great projects begin with great communication. That’s why today, every project kicks off with a call between our delivery team and the client. Weekly calls and daily updates keep everyone aligned, and every completed project is handed over with full O&M documentation. No loose ends. No ambiguity. Just clear, consistent service – from first conversation to final sign-off.

He’s also made it easier for our teams to do the right thing. Project managers are now empowered to track costs, challenge variations, and hold regular site audits with contractors. And with the introduction of production and cost trackers, we’ve got a clearer line of sight from proposal to delivery – improving visibility and supporting better decisions across the board.

Chris didn’t just change the process. He changed the mindset.

He’s built a culture where speaking up is encouraged, where laughter and high standards go hand-in-hand, and where every win – no matter how small – is celebrated. Whether it’s improving cashflow through tighter project closeout, or installing 90 EV chargers alongside 160,000 luminaires, it’s the team spirit behind it all that stands out most.

The impact has been noticed – not just inside the business, but by the clients we serve:

“It’s been the best service turnaround since we started with eEnergy – exactly what was promised from the start.” – Robert Hutchinson, Christchurch CE Primary Academy

“To get all of that work done, in such a smooth way, and with no impact on teaching and learning, has been ideal.” – Richard Vaughan, Headteacher, St Mary’s CE High School

“The team at Westfield were helpful, polite and went above and beyond.” – Grant Collins, Westfield Primary Academy

“The speed and proactivity you’ve brought to these schemes has been phenomenal.” – Will Mumford, LocatED

Harvey Sinclair, CEO of eEnergy, said:

“Chris has brought depth, clarity and heart to our operations. He’s helped us raise our game, not just in process, but in purpose. His leadership is a blend of expertise, empathy, and a relentless drive to deliver better. It’s no surprise our customers feel the difference.”

Before joining eEnergy, Chris held senior roles at Primesight and Mitie, where he led major LED rollouts and maintenance programmes for national retailers. His first LED project – converting 200 pharmacy stores in 2009 – sparked a passion that’s shaped the rest of his career, including high-profile projects like a 150-store rollout for Sports Direct.

Outside of work, Chris is a proud dad of three – one of whom is currently on trial at Arsenal (despite Chris being a lifelong Spurs supporter). He enjoys carp fishing, walking the dogs, and unwinding at country pubs. Not many know he once cycled from Kent to Paris and back at 14 – or that he once auditioned for a boy band.

His mantra? “There are always two sides to a story.” It’s a line that says a lot about how he leads – with curiosity, fairness, and a belief in understanding before acting.

Chris reflected on the past year, saying:

“Joining eEnergy has been one of the most rewarding chapters of my career. It’s been a year of listening, learning, challenging and improving. I’m proud of the culture we’re building – one that puts the customer first, values teamwork, and isn’t afraid to have a bit of fun along the way. There’s still more to do, and I’m excited about what’s ahead.”

We’re proud to celebrate Chris and the difference he’s made. And we hope his story inspires others across eEnergy – and beyond – to ask more questions, raise the bar, and believe that even the smallest changes can make the biggest difference.