The secret of my success, Trewin Restorick – Global Action Plan

Last month our cover story was an interview with Trewin Restorick, chief executive of independent environmental charity Global Action Plan. The charity, which Trewin founded in 1993, runs programmes to reduce carbon emissions, energy consumption and waste with businesses, schools, community organisations and households. Restorick is the chair of the Environmental IT Leadership Team (EILT); a trustee for Sustainability and Environmental Education; and co-chaired Defra’s Compact Group. He has been trained as one of Al Gore’s UK Climate Change Ambassadors and is a frequent media commentator on environmental issues.

Here he reveals that while perhaps he’s no ICT expert, he does enjoy Channel 4 sitcom The IT Crowd and the odd pint… and he has certainly got serious ambitions!

 

VitAL: Name, company and job title please? Married? Kids?

Trewin Restorick: Trewin Restorick, CEO, Global Action Plan.

VitAL: Married? Kids?

TR: Married to Saskia with two children Giselle (15) and Callum (12).

VitAL: What got you started in IT?

TR: I got interested in Green IT when we produced a report called ‘The Inefficient Truth’. I was shocked at the level of carbon emissions caused by ICT, surprised by the overall inefficiency of the sector and intrigued by the potential ICT offered in helping to cut carbon emissions in society.

VitAL: Was there any one person or organisation that was your inspiration?

TR: There were a few people who really got the agenda quickly and who gave me great ideas. They were Gary Hird at John Lewis, Chris Gabriel at Logicalis and Rakesh Kumar at Gartner.

VitAL: What was your first IT job, what was your first major IT triumph?

TR: I have never had an IT job, unless you count watching the IT Crowd. Instead I have tried to provide a connection between the fast changing environmental agenda and associated legislation and ICT managers. Successes have included ‘The Inefficient Truth’ report and undertaking some major research for Cisco looking at the barriers that exist in the public sector for the introduction of green IT initiatives.

VitAL: Did you ever make any embarrassing mistakes? What did you learn from them?

TR: I am constantly making mistakes due to my limited ICT knowledge.  Chris Gabriel at Logicalis once said that I thought a virtual server was something you get at Yo Sushi. I have learned to stick to what I know best and steer clear of overly technical conversations.

VitAL: What do you like best about your job?

TR: I have created and run an environment charity that employs 55 staff. I like the fact that the charity is very practical, innovative and making a tangible difference. I also like the fact that we working with all sections of society.

VitAL: What is your biggest ambition?

TR: To stop catastrophic climate change.

VitAL: What are your hobbies or interests?

TR: My body is slowly falling apart and taking longer to heal but despite that I play football, tennis and squash regularly and cycle as much as possible. To counter-balance any hint of healthiness I drink too much and eat loads.

VitAL: What is the secret of your success?

TR: Stubborn determination and a wry smile.

VitAL: Trewin Restorick, thank you very much.

www.globalactionplan.org.uk