MSSL Managing Director joins Energy UK panel on SME energy efficiency

MSSL Managing Director Sean Smith joined a panel of industry leaders at Energy UK's Electrifying Growth conference in Westminster.

He discussed with experts from across construction, energy and finance to discuss how smaller businesses can manage the transition to cleaner, more efficient power.

A keynote address from Michael Shanks MP, Minister for Energy, set out the urgency of accelerating electrification to support the energy transition and underlined the central role it will play in strengthening the UK’s long‑term energy security.

The conference brought together senior figures from politics, industry, charities and consumer groups to examine how policy, investment and innovation can work together to accelerate change.
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Sean said that it was a privilege to share MSSL’s experience alongside such a strong panel and to discuss how barriers can be removed so more businesses can take action.

“SMEs represent around 99% of UK businesses and are at the heart of the country’s supply chains,” he said.

“Our experience at MSSL shows that practical, consistent investment in electrification and sustainability delivers real returns - cutting costs, strengthening competitiveness and reducing emissions.”
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Focus on SME transitions

Sean spoke on the Managing Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) Transitions panel, alongside Chris Carr (Carr & Carr Builders), Jenny Jarvis (Energy Saving Trust) and Adam Oliver (Ortus), chaired by Aled Humphreys of SSE Business Energy.

The discussion explored barriers to investing in new equipment, the skills and finance SMEs need, and which electrification and efficiency measures currently offer the strongest commercial returns.

Sean emphasised MSSL’s carbon‑cutting progress, the need to build future sustainability skills, and stronger policy and finance support for SMEs.

The panel also highlighted practical steps SMEs can take now, including upgrading building services and switchgear and improving monitoring and controls, to manage energy price volatility and prepare for future regulation.

For larger facilities, this increasingly includes modern low‑voltage switchgear and control panels that support safer, more efficient power distribution - an area where MSSL has extensive experience across healthcare, logistics, education and data centre projects.
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Michael Smith Switchgear’s route to net zero targets

Sean drew on MSSL’s experience, where sustained investment in technology, buildings and processes has helped cut carbon emissions by more than 60% since 2018 while maintaining growth.

MSSL achieved Carbon Neutral status in 2022 and tracks full Scope 1–3 emissions - running several years ahead of the Make UK Net Zero roadmap for manufacturers.

Operations and Finance Director Emily Smith said: “ Our commitment to sustainability goes beyond compliance - it is built into how we run the business each day.

“By continually improving our process and standards, we’re making meaningful progress for our people, customers and the environment.”

This sustainability work led to MSSL receiving the King's Award for Enterprise in Sustainable Development - one of only 27 UK businesses recognised in the category -  and being highlighted as a case study by the UK Government’s Net Zero Business Champion during COP26.