Building a greener tomorrow, one graduate at a time
After completing her MSc in 2021, Deborah now leads work that’s helping one of the UK’s largest utilities move towards a low-carbon, climate-resilient future.
Meet Deborah – Cardiff graduate and Decarbonisation Lead at Thames Water. After completing her MSc in Sustainable Energy and Environment (Mechanical Engineering) in 2021, Deborah now leads work that’s helping one of the UK’s largest utilities move towards a low-carbon, climate-resilient future.
“I didn’t want to simply witness the world’s inequalities; I wanted to challenge them.”
Growing up in an environment where energy poverty and environmental issues were daily realities inspired Deborah’s drive to make a difference.
She began her academic journey with a degree in Chemistry before coming to Cardiff University to pursue a master’s that, as she puts it, “transformed my concern into capability, and my capability into impact.”
Career journey
Deborah’s journey into sustainability wasn’t a straight line, but a series of purposeful pivots.
Her MSc at Cardiff was a turning point, giving her the knowledge and confidence to connect science with social impact and, in her words, “my first taste of proper Welsh cakes (equally transformative).”
She discovered her current role as Decarbonisation Lead at Thames Water through LinkedIn, using the platform not just to find opportunities but to share her insights on decarbonisation, circular economy, and innovation. That visibility, combined with her technical background and community work, helped her stand out to future employers.
Alongside her professional career, Deborah founded REES Africa, a non-profit delivering clean energy to last-mile communities, and co-founded Vectar Energy, developing affordable, scalable energy access solutions across emerging markets.
“It’s not about who you know – it’s about who knows what you do.”
Deborah says that sharing her ideas and experiences on professional platforms like LinkedIn played a key role in connecting her to opportunities and communities.
As a holder of a Global Talent Visa, she also sees digital networks as essential for visibility and collaboration across borders.
Impact and responsibilities
In her role at Thames Water, Deborah leads efforts to tackle what she calls the “water trilemma”, delivering reliable, affordable, and low-carbon water and wastewater services.
Her work includes:
- reducing both carbon and non-carbon emissions across operations
- embedding climate resilience into infrastructure planning and design
- working with supply chains to lower Scope 3 emissions
- identifying circular economy opportunities that transform waste into resources
She applies a climate resilience hierarchy, prioritising demand reduction, nature-based solutions, and low-carbon technologies, while ensuring that affordability and equity remain at the heart of every project.
Skills in action
Deborah draws on systems thinking, stakeholder engagement, and strong technical knowledge in decarbonisation.
Her multidisciplinary background allows her to translate complex science into practical, scalable solutions and to embed sustainability thinking across teams and operations.
“The most rewarding part of my job is knowing our work touches everyday lives.”
For Deborah, the impact of sustainability isn’t abstract. Her projects help ensure that essential services like water are delivered sustainably and equitably, shaping a future where infrastructure supports both people and the planet. “No two days are ever the same,” she adds, “which keeps me constantly learning.”
Challenges and growth
One of the biggest challenges, Deborah says, is balancing long-term sustainability goals with short-term business pressures.
Embedding sustainability requires cultural change, influencing decisions across all levels, and sometimes challenging entrenched practices.
Her solution? Reframe sustainability not as a moral duty, but as a driver of innovation, efficiency, and long-term value.
Lifelong learning
A passionate advocate for continuous learning, Deborah has completed several professional courses, including Yale University’s Financing and Deploying Clean Energy programme, and regularly engages with the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA).
She believes upskilling is essential not just for knowledge, but for developing communication and systems-thinking skills that drive real impact.
“Sustainability isn’t just a career path – it’s a commitment to shaping better systems.”
Deborah’s journey from Cardiff to leading decarbonisation at Thames Water shows how education, purpose, and persistence can combine to create meaningful change.
Her story reflects a growing green economy and a new generation of graduates using their skills to build a more resilient, equitable, and sustainable world.
Advice for students
- See sustainability as a wide-open field. Every discipline has a role to play.
- Build depth and breadth. Develop expertise in your area, but understand how environmental, social, and economic systems connect.
- Communicate your work. The world needs storytellers as much as problem-solvers.
- Make use of Cardiff’s opportunities. Join sustainability societies, take part in enterprise or community initiatives, and connect with alumni.
- Start before you’re ready. Whether it’s volunteering, interning, or launching a small initiative, practical experience is invaluable.