Career Profile: Francisco Domínguez MIEMA, CEnv, Quintas Energy
Why did you become an environment/sustainability professional? I did a degree in geography, specialising in geographical information systems (GIS), at the University of Seville (Spain). I also studied mechanical engineering at the University of Avila (Spain).
What was your first job in this field? After my degree, I worked as a technical engineer and project manager in the environmental department at Ayesa.
How did you get your first role? Ayesa was looking for someone with my skills to lead its environmental department. Before joining Ayesa, I had done some training in environmental management, auditing and law.
What does your current role involve? I’m responsible for all health, safety and environment (HSE) related activities for Quintas Group. I look after internal HSE policies, procedures and systems, and am the main point of contact for our clients for HSE-related activities, incidents, and so on. I’m in charge of creating and implementing Safe Systems of Work in my organisation, as well as developing an HSE management system that I’m planning to certify to the ISO 14001 and 45001 standards by 2025. One of the biggest projects I’m currently working on is environmental, social and governance (ESG) reporting.
How has your role changed/progressed over the past few years? Working in construction and manufacturing abroad has given me the opportunity to progress as a recognised professional in the solar industry. When I worked in Newcastle, UK, I drove the environmental sustainability strategy at British Engines Group, which was a challenge.
What’s the best part of your work? Achieving the objectives in the environmental strategy that I developed. I also enjoy mentoring people and watching their progress.
What’s the hardest part of your job? Time management and project prioritisation are difficult when you have too much to do on a day-to-day basis yet also want to implement improvement initiatives in the organisation.
What was the last development event you attended? ‘Are You Ready to Work? The Importance of Competence in Construction Quality’, an event organised by the Chartered Quality Institute.
What did you bring back to your job? Some great processes regarding carbon emissions disclosure, environmental sustainability strategies and best practice ESG reporting.
What is/are the most important skill(s) for your job? Persistence, time management and adapting to change.
Where do you see the profession going? Environmental legislation is evolving more quickly than any other legislation and, therefore, it will be key to continue developing environmental professionals so that companies keep up to date with legal and non-legal requirements. It will be interesting to see how companies evolve over the next few years with the focus on reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
Where would you like to be in five years’ time? I’d like to be in my current organisation, continuing to develop ideas and improvements to keep it as the first choice for our customers, and mentoring other employees to help create a better and sustainable world.
What advice would you give to someone entering the profession? Be patient, continue developing and the benefits of this profession will come.
How do you use the IEMA Skills Map? It helps me evaluate my desired skills and development needs for the future.
If you had to describe yourself in three words, what would they be? Steadfast, analytical and open-minded.
What motivates you? Learning and mentoring. I’d like my kids to enjoy nature as I did when I was a kid.
What would be your personal motto? We are the first generation to feel the impact of climate change, and the last generation that can do something about it.
Greatest risk you have ever taken? When I worked in Italy as QHSE manager for Sunpower, I was threatened by the mafia when managing the construction of six photovoltaic power plants in Sicily. Switching from the solar construction industry to work in manufacturing was also a big challenge, but I now think it was the best move because I’ve been able to develop myself in this sector, too.
If you could go back in history, who would you like to meet? French naval officer, explorer, researcher and marine biologist Jacques-Yves Cousteau. I’m passionate about his legacy and documentaries.
Read more from the latest issue of Transform Magazine here.