Fern Spencer
Biography
Fern has supported multiple organisations find solutions to their sustainability related challenges. This involves a wide range of work from carbon footprinting, to developing credible net zero roadmaps and science-based targets, to climate risk analysis.
Using her skills in analysis and engagement with clients and their stakeholders, Fern has not only helped to set ambitious and realistic targets but also demonstrated how decarbonisation can be achieved. This experience has ranged from working with small organisations to large parent groups and so Fern is able to tailor her work to each organisation, dependent on their own unique challenges and skills.
Story
What is your role at Ricardo?
I work across multiple areas within Ricardo’s environmental consulting business as a senior consultant. My home is the net zero team, helping clients to develop net zero strategies and get to the bottom of their emissions. I also work with our ESG team, helping organisations comply with Task Force for Climate-related Financial Disclosure (TCFD) requirements.
What does your average day at Ricardo look like?
No one day is the same in my role! Some days I am helping clients to understand where their emissions come from, and other days I am working with different technical experts across Ricardo to solve one of our clients most difficult challenges, to reduce emissions. I could also be conducting climate materiality assessments, scenario analysis or helping clients create resilience to climate-change through workshops.
What do you look forward to at work?
Working with so many talented and caring people is one of the things I look forward to the most. Ricardo’s remit spans across many technical areas and being able to learn from so many different colleagues is very rewarding. Everyone at the company really cares about the work they do and the impact it is having. Reducing the impact of the climate crisis is going to require input from everyone. Every job is a climate job, and being able to work collaboratively with colleagues and clients makes this possible.
What do you find most rewarding at work? / Are you proud to work at Ricardo?
One of my most rewarding experiences so far at Ricardo is being involved with climate reporting for Ricardo itself. I’ve played a key role in improving the companies GHG emission reporting and engaging with stakeholders across the whole organisation on climate risk and opportunities. Seeing the progress made has been extremely rewarding.
How have you developed your career at Ricardo?
I’ve learnt so much since starting at Ricardo and have been met with nothing but support and encouragement from my team leader and senior leadership. This has contributed significantly to me being promoted 3 times since joining as an analyst consultant. Ricardo has also supported me to become an IEMA Practitioner, demonstrating my expertise in sustainability. I am also a trained mental health first aider, which has increased my awareness of mental health and how I can support my colleagues.