Duncan McCombie is the CEO of YES Energy Solutions CIC, which supports householders escape fuel poverty and reduce climate change. He is also a participant on the Help to Grow: Management course. 

Can you give a brief overview of what your business does?
We support householders escape fuel poverty and reduce climate change – saving energy and greenhouse gas emissions – and making their homes cosy. As a CIC with no shareholders, we reinvest back into the communities where we operate.

Why did you sign up to the Help to Grow: Management course?
To provide a greater focus on the business and not in the business. I needed to update and improve my skills and knowledge to support the business taking the next step to expand further and evolve our services.

How are you fitting the programme around your work?
I am committed to get the best out of the course and have carefully planned time across the whole course to reduce distractions and maximise benefits.

What has been the most useful part of Help to Grow: Management course so far?
The targeted and concise modules focused on specific elements (with the supporting background details) allows me to immerse in a subject.  

How has your mentor and peer network supported your learning and overall experience of the course? 
The ability to share the learning with colleagues to hear their direct views, challenges, and thoughts in a confidential and safe environment, allowing more refined thinking and discussion with mentors, targeting the right solutions to optimise possible opportunities.

Which module have you found the most interesting or challenging?
Strategy session (Module 1) coupled with the vision and mission session (Module 4) allowed the purpose and direction of the business to be considered on a more holistic scale to really crystallise what we are trying to achieve and how we will do it.

What would you say to other business leaders who are about sign up to the course?
Don’t delay. This course supports you to make change, helping you to maximise opportunities in your business, your thinking or approach, allowing you to grow a more sustainable business.

Is there any other feedback on the programme you would like to provide?
Whether you are a seasoned leader or someone needing to build some new skills, this course will develop your thinking and support you to explore options and consider broader possibilities.

Duncan McCombie 
CEO of YES Energy Solutions CIC