Matthew Richards

[email protected] • 07419323798

LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/matthew-richards

PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY

Results-driven Senior Environmental Officer with over four years of experience in energy management and sustainability initiatives. Expertise in environmental legislation compliance and the implementation of innovative energy solutions to reduce carbon emissions and enhance biodiversity. Proficient in stakeholder management, fostering effective relationships with teams and external partners to drive sustainability projects. Proven capability in data analysis and reporting, enabling informed decision-making and strategic planning. Committed to promoting environmental awareness and behaviour change through engaging events and comprehensive policies.

WORK EXPERIENCE

Senior Environmental Officer

04/2024 - Present

South Wales Police

• Energy management software review and complete overhaul (including gap analysis, setting up of usage alarms/alerts)

• Legislation management – keeping up to date with current laws and ensuring compliance

• Implementation of gas/water data loggers (to manage consumption and link to alarms)

• Relationships – Establish/Maintain effective working relationships with the mechanical/electrical team to ensure faults are fixed, and excess energy/water consumption is managed. External liaison with National Grid and electrical contractors

• Reporting – Carbon scope emissions, biodiversity – government framework reporting

• Content creation/promotion – Monthly/Ad hoc environmental awareness events to enable behaviour change across the police force

• Biodiversity – tree planting events, liaison with local authorities to establish funding for estate projects

• Reporting systems – Develop accurate data recording methods for carbon/waste data collection

• Audits – Participation/enabling of environmental audits to maintain accreditation

• Strategy – writing and implementation

• Grant applications/bid writing – Experience with heat networks/EV install applications

• Project management experience - Solar canopy projects, battery storage

Energy and Sustainability Officer

11/2022 - 03/2024

University of South Wales

• Energy management software (Systems Link) use (invoicing and usage analysis)

• Environmental events organisation and promotion – Green Week, Sustainable travel events, student engagement events

• Records management (biodiversity log, Carbon data)

• Reporting – Carbon emissions/biodiversity

• Data analysis – energy usage and improvements

• Development and implementation of sustainability projects/Policies

Finance Advisor

03/2021 - 11/2022

BAE Systems

• Sales order input, review, amendment and reconciliation

• Raising/reviewing & distributing sales invoices

• Cash forecasting

• Updating databases

• Management of shared team mailboxes

• Obtained SC vetting clearance for role

EDUCATION

MSc Environmental Management

07/2025

Open University GPA: Merit

BSc (Hons) Economics

09/2015 - 06/2019

University of Plymouth GPA: 2.1

SKILLS

CERTIFICATIONS

IEMA – Student level membership

CDM – Contractor management certificate

Carbon/Water literacy courses – certification achieved