Episode 180 | Michael McGowan – Leading Sustainability Through People

In this episode of Energy Speaks Back, we meet Michael McGowan, former Sustainability Manager at Ibstock, who has built a remarkable career by combining technical insight with a people-first approach to energy and sustainability.

Our conversation explores how Michael has inspired large-scale reductions in energy consumption across complex industrial operations — not through technology alone, but by empowering people, building culture, and turning passion into performance.

From his early steps in manufacturing to leading sustainability strategies for one of the UK’s largest brick producers, Michael shares valuable lessons on leadership, collaboration, and driving measurable change in high-energy environments.