Words are amazing things – they have the power to capture and shape and define and illustrate and illuminate the world around us. The words in our name, energy and ark, are both fine examples – both short, easy to say, known, recognisable, but equally, both can be interpreted and understood in different ways. Put together as energyARK, they create something new – they represent the beginning of our journey, our consultancy, our team, our values and our choice to do things differently.

Words are also inherently imbued with meaning – and what these words mean will be different for each person, influenced by experience, environment, perception and reality. Our words, energy and ark, are no exception. At the simplest level, energy can be explained as the ability to do work, and an ark can be explained as a place of shelter. Dictionary definitions add more detail, with energy being explained as “…the strength and vitality required for physical or mental activity”¹ as well as “…power derived from the utilisation of physical or chemical resources, especially to provide light and heat or to work machines”², and an Ark as being “…something that affords protection and safety”³.

When we consider these definitions together, we see words that capture the spirit of our aims and intentions in bringing this consultancy to life. Our vision for energyARK is one of a landing place for people to come together, a safe space in which they are valued, seen, heard and supported, a space in which there is conversation and collaboration and innovation, a place of restoration and regeneration, where we strive to be intentional in our actions, consciously choosing to take steps that we believe will make a difference. It is a space that is sustained by the energy of the people within our team – powered by a desire to contribute to the energy transition, a collective passion for change and to power progress and to challenge the status quo, ‘building cool stuff with care’.

As we reflect on what our name means, and how these two small words can create an image and perception of what it is that we do and what it is that we believe in, we are discovering other definitions, philosophies and ways of being that are weaving themselves into the fabric of our story. One of the most evocative describes the creation of spaces known as ARKs in the natural environment around us, conjuring an image of hope and positivity, brought about by intentional choices and actions, “…acts of restorative kindness”⁴:

ARK = Acts of Restorative Kindness

An ARK is a restored, native ecosystem, a local, small, medium or large rewilding project. It’s a thriving patch of native plants and creatures that have been allowed and supported to re-establish in the earth’s intelligent, successional process of natural restoration. Over time, this becomes a pantry and a habitat for our pollinators and wild creatures who are in desperate need of support. This takes time to happen but it begins to re-establish itself as a simple ecosystem very quickly and over time becomes a strong wildlife habitat and eventually a multi-tiered complex community of native plants, creatures and microorganisms.

In energyARK, we are creating our own ecosystem, one which we are all part of, one which will evolve and establish over time, where we are all connected and sustained and given the support to thrive and grow. After all, “…nothing in an ecology stands alone”⁵. This desire to do things differently and create something new has been further inspired by the ideas and principles of regeneration and regenerative leadership, a philosophy and way of being that we are excited to explore and follow as we develop. Our individual journeys and experiences will add to the diversity of our ecosystem and over time, new connections will grow – through conversation and collaboration with colleagues, partners and clients.

Our journey is just beginning, and there is so much to be done in meeting the demands of the energy transition and so much potential in seeking to find new ways of thinking to inspire solutions to the challenges that lie ahead. We believe that every step forward will make a difference, no matter how small that step may be, and, as the saying goes, ‘little by little, a little becomes a lot’⁶.