In this #PeopleFirst interview we speak to Gerry McBeth. Starting with us on site as an Electrician 12 years ago, Gerry has seen Kirby’s growth first hand. Now an Operations Manager, he leads a team of Project Managers delivering around 20 projects a year for SP Energy Networks.
The substation electrical and balance of plant works overseen by Gerry form part of Kirby’s wider framework agreement with the energy network provider, which also includes design and build substation construction projects.
He’s part of Kirby’s growing Power and Renewables team working across the UK and Ireland to support clients as they upgrade the grid and work towards net zero.
Our Power and Renewables team delivers substation design and build projects for Electricity Transmission Owners (TOs), data centre and life sciences clients, alongside private connections for battery energy storage systems (BESS), solar and wind projects.
Delivering Upgrades to the Electricity Grid
Gerry was on site at our Windyhill project in Glasgow as SP Energy Networks announced its £12bn investment in the central and southern Scotland electricity grid, as part of its RIIO-T3 programme of works.
Windyhill is one of many projects being delivered as part of the once-in-a-generation investment, with the construction of the new 400kV gas insulated substation designed to ensure large amounts of renewable energy can move across the grid.
“It was a privilege to be part of that monumental moment,” says Gerry. “The delivery of this critical infrastructure upgrade is already creating high‑quality, skilled jobs across Scotland.”
Kirby continues to invest in teams and grow its operations to support SP Energy Networks, moving to a larger office in Glasgow and boosting its engineering apprenticeship programmes in Scotland.
“We currently employ 180 people across our sites and two offices locations – Inverurie and Glasgow,” adds Gerry.
Award-Winning Partnership
It’s not the first time in the spotlight for Gerry. Just last year, he was in Spain as we were awarded the Global Supplier of the Year Award by Iberdrola – SP Energy Networks’ parent company. The award recognised our long-standing partnership and expertise in delivering complex high voltage network projects.
Having worked with SP Energy Networks over a number of years, Gerry says, “We have grown alongside them, and work very openly to ensure we deliver on our commitments.
“Openness and transparency are key to the relationship we have. We will never overpromise and will always operate within the span of our control. We have built a relationship of trust based on those principles,” he adds, explaining our core values underpin everything we do. With People, our core primary value, followed by Safety, Quality, Delivery and Value.
It’s work he knows inside out, having started his career on the tools for Kirby. Along the way he has been supported in his progression, whether that’s through training and development or opportunity, and the ladder Gerry climbed is still giving a step up to people following in his footsteps.
“I had the privilege of being able to promote a site member recently, and a number of my team have come up from the tools.
“Kirby has always invested in its people, and we have a large proportion of direct labour, compared to many others, which means we can take on apprentices, graduates and electricians with the view of developing the project managers and leaders of tomorrow,” says Gerry, who started his career as an Electrical Apprentice.
Growing and Building High-Performing Teams
Gerry is building teams at work and at home, training and coaching his local junior football team most evenings and on the weekend.
“Kirby was the first to sponsor their kit as a new team. It means so much to the kids and the parents. Grassroots teams often struggle in the first few years as they establish.”
A Career in the Renewable Energy Sector
For Gerry and the team, a career with Kirby is rewarding. With people at the core of its ethos, he and the leadership team spend a significant amount of time developing, mentoring and supporting our people to be the best they can be.
And, as Gerry explains, it goes beyond the standard approach of many companies. “I don’t know of many companies that would invest in people to the level Kirby does. I have been put through a number of courses, in Ireland and the UK, but its more than that. People can see, through my journey and a number of others, that if you work hard, there is no limit to the investment Kirby will make in you as a person.”
Are you looking for a career in the renewable energy sector? Go to our careers website to see our vacancies across sites and offices in Inverurie and Glasgow.
