There was a time when everyone talked about sustainability without taking action. The reasons, according to Jenny Jarvis, an accomplished leadership practitioner, author of the bestselling book ‘Lead with Confidence: Essential skills and strategies to succeed and shine as a female leader,’ and the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Energy Saving Trust, were many.
Over the past few years, leaders like Jenny have changed this scenario for the better. With over 20 years of experience in leadership roles, she is dedicated to supporting the cause and promoting professional growth, both beyond university and through her attendance at three business schools, as well as her active participation in professional networks and forums.
Jenny’s extensive network has shaped her development and enriched the advice in her writing. Her career spans roles such as COO, MD, and CEO in public and private sectors, focusing on change, operational, and transformational leadership. Starting as a temporary administrator and rising to directorial positions, she exemplifies the journey to senior leadership, overcoming challenges with authenticity, inspiration, and innovation.
Reassuring Transformational Sustainable Leadership Approach
In a complex and fast-moving environment, Jenny’s leadership philosophy centers on two key dynamics: being both transformative and supportive. Jenny believes it’s essential to set an inspiring vision that provides clarity and simplicity, alongside hope and drive. She combines this with being a supportive leader, doing everything she can to enable her colleagues to thrive. “I ensure that I draw on their expertise in our important sector.”
Passionate about organizational behaviour and creating thriving environments, Jenny brings a global perspective to her work as an avid traveler, reader, and lifelong learner. Her open and engaging leadership style, combined with her empathetic approach, helps others build leadership confidence, overcome professional challenges, and understand the range of tools and techniques that can enhance their capabilities as leaders.
When asked about her inspiration for entering the field of energy efficiency, Jenny says she has been fortunate to work in roles focused on supporting the most disadvantaged individuals in public services. Over time, she saw a common theme emerging across her work, which was the importance of the environment and sustainability in all our lives.
Since joining Energy Saving Trust almost two years ago, Jenny has drawn on a sustainable leadership approach, “Necessitated due to the breadth of our work and our highly ambitious mission to address the climate emergency. Leadership in this context requires us to look externally and consider the links between environmental, social, and economic challenges, as well as their implications for our work. Internally, it’s important to bring together colleagues in a collaborative way to enable the transformation we need to deliver on our purpose,” she informs.
As the COO of Energy Saving Trust, Jenny oversees alignment between the organizational vision and the UK’s broader net-zero goals. She reveals that her colleagues have close relationships with leading industry bodies across the energy and renewable sectors. Being members of associations, such as UK100, the National Retrofit Hub, and the Aldersgate Group, is imperative to their work. Being aligned with the goal to address the climate emergency ensures they’re at the forefront of innovative industry developments and part of an impactful and united voice to drive change and influence government policy.
Leading the Charge Toward a Greener, Smarter Future
Jenny has always viewed leadership as a force for transformation, both for individuals and the planet. While her journey from a temporary administrator to an influential thought leader has already made her a role model for aspiring women leaders, Jenny’s story continues to evolve with her pivotal role in an organization addressing one of the most urgent issues of our time: the climate emergency.
At the heart of Energy Saving Trust lies a bold and purpose-driven roadmap—one that aligns not just with organizational goals but with the broader vision of a net-zero future for the UK. Within the leadership team, Jenny has played a central role in developing Energy Saving Trust’s strategic priorities to expand the accessibility and impact of energy efficiency advice across households, businesses, and regions. A significant portion of this expansion is focused on scaling up activities in England, ensuring that the benefits of energy efficiency reach more communities, particularly in the face of rising energy costs and growing environmental concerns.
Navigating the ever-evolving and shifting policy and technological landscapes is an ongoing challenge that, alongside the leadership team, Jenny tackles with deliberate strategy and clarity. This includes empowering a dedicated Policy team to filter complexity into actionable intelligence. This keeps the organization’s initiatives grounded in what’s relevant, timely, and impactful.
Simultaneously, she champions innovation through digital transformation. Jenny has overseen significant work to enhance the Trust’s digital channels, ensuring that expert advice for its partners, consumers and businesses is easily accessible, particularly in a sector where understanding and engagement are vital. Leveraging data insights and emerging technologies, she’s overseeing teams to build solutions and customer journeys that reflect modern needs and future possibilities.
Internally, Jenny recognizes that no transformation can succeed without the involvement of people. Her leadership focuses heavily on nurturing a culture of shared knowledge, continuous learning, and open collaboration. Through regular intelligence-sharing forums and expert-led sessions, she ensures that staff across all levels remain engaged, informed, and inspired to lead change from within.
Jenny’s brand of leadership is both reflective and action-oriented—a seamless balance of purpose, precision, and people-first thinking. As she continues to guide Energy Saving Trust in shaping the future of sustainable living, she not only brings clarity to complex systems but also empowers those around her to believe in their capacity to make meaningful contributions.
Her journey is proof that impactful leadership is not about loud proclamations, but about consistent and courageous action. In Jenny’s world, it’s not just about saving energy—it’s about energizing people and ideas for a better, brighter tomorrow.
Championing Innovation and Impact on the Road to Net Zero
Jenny’s leadership at Energy Saving Trust is deeply rooted in the belief that innovation and impact go hand in hand, especially when driven by purpose, expertise, and empathy. As COO, she plays a pivotal role in shaping an organization that not only responds to change but actively drives it, both within the UK and internationally.
Internally, Jenny aligns with and demonstrates the organizational values of expertise, collaboration, and a continuous drive to improve. She has championed initiatives like the Sparks Innovation forum—a dynamic, “Dragon’s Den”-style platform that encourages staff to pitch new ideas to enhance the Trust’s mission. It’s one of many ways she ensures that innovation isn’t just a buzzword, but a practice embedded in daily operations. Her approach empowers staff to contribute boldly, creating a workplace where creativity and impact go hand in hand.
Externally, she has helped strengthen partnerships with global thought leaders and environmental networks. Collaborations with organizations such as the European Energy Network and the Global Logistics Emissions Council extend the Trust’s influence beyond borders, enabling the delivery of renewable energy solutions and sustainable practices to communities worldwide.
Jenny’s leadership is profoundly shaped by her past experiences across education, health, employment, and social impact sectors. In each role, she has embraced a person-centered philosophy—believing that meaningful change starts with understanding the lived experiences of the people affected. At Energy Saving Trust, this is evident in her hands-on engagement—listening to energy advice calls, visiting community projects, and hearing directly from those whose lives have been changed by sustainable support.
For Jenny, aligning strategic priorities with government goals is just one part of the mission. More crucial is ensuring those strategies reflect the needs of consumers and communities. By listening, learning, and championing what truly matters, she is helping to steer Energy Saving Trust toward a more inclusive, innovative, and impactful path to net zero.
Leading with Purpose, Shaping a Sustainable Future
In a field where progress unfolds over decades, Jenny Jarvis remains undeterred, drawing strength from a deep-rooted belief in the importance of her mission. As part of a dynamic leadership team, she is driven by determination—a core organizational value—and the unwavering knowledge that their work has a tangible, long-term impact. The challenges are immense, but Jenny finds resilience in the collective purpose, shared evidence, and the steadfast support of colleagues who are equally committed to creating a net-zero future.
Looking ahead, Jenny envisions an even more ambitious and inclusive phase of growth for Energy Saving Trust. She is particularly energized by the organization’s transformation into a more agile, impact-focused entity, organized around centres of excellence that foster cross-disciplinary collaboration. This evolution positions the Trust to scale solutions rapidly, tackle increasingly complex environmental challenges, and provide vital support to local authorities, businesses, and communities navigating the UK Government’s Warm Homes and Local Power Plans.
In the years to come, Jenny sees Energy Saving Trust continuing to play a pivotal role in shaping both policy and public behaviour. As the climate emergency intensifies and energy bills remain a pressing concern, the organization’s decades of expertise will be indispensable. From empowering households with accurate, practical advice to informing policy frameworks that ensure a just and equitable energy transition, Jenny and her colleagues are helping define the next chapter of environmental leadership.
For Jenny, this work is deeply personal and purpose-driven, but she is equally passionate about nurturing the next generation of leaders, especially women. Drawing on her journey from temporary administrator to boardroom executive, she urges aspiring female leaders to step forward boldly. Confidence, she believes, is not about having all the answers but about having the courage to start and the tenacity to grow. Her bestselling book, Lead with Confidence, is a call to action for women to claim their space, amplify their voices, and shape a better world.
To Jenny, the sustainability sector isn’t just a career path—it’s a calling. And with every policy shaped, every household empowered, and every emerging leader inspired, she is building a legacy rooted in hope, equity, and enduring impact.
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