Collaborative Consultancy for a Cooler, Greener Future: Tackling School Energy Waste Across a Multi-Academy Trust
In a time of growing financial pressures and climate responsibilities, a large 8x school multi-academy trust embarked on an ambitious energy efficiency project across it’s Surrey-based estate. With a combined utilities bill of over £780,000 a year and mounting concerns over carbon emissions, the Trust sought expert guidance to uncover meaningful savings.
This opportunity was sparked through the Foodservice Consultants Society International (FCSI) network. Glenn Campbell of Cohesion Consulting – an experienced FCSI professional with deep roots in school procurement and catering – had attended an FCSI networking event where he connected with Dr. Sam Mudie, co-director of Hospitality Energy Saving & Sustainability (HESS). What followed was a textbook example of sector collaboration for good.
Glenn explains: “I’m always looking for trusted FCSI partners to create practical, credible solutions that help my clients reduce operating costs and meet sustainability goals. When I met Dr Sam and learned about her PhD research and HESS’s specialism in energy-saving for kitchens and schools, I knew it was a perfect fit. I don’t work on commission – it’s about matching the right people to the right problems.”
Together, HESS and Cohesion supported the Trust through site audits of all foodservice operations, lighting, heating, ventilation, small power and control systems. The results were striking. Across the estate, 46,000 kWh of annual electricity use was being wasted simply from fridges and vending machines left running during school holidays. Over £24,000 of energy waste was identified through inappropriate setting to air conditioning units. Kitchens showed examples of combi ovens run on ‘continuous override’ – a setting that can triple their energy use unnecessarily. Lighting systems in some schools had yet to be upgraded to LEDs and were performing well below modern standards.
The final report identified over £209,000 in potential annual savings – roughly equivalent to 6x M1 band teachers – representing a 26% reduction in this large overhead AND almost 300 tonnes of CO2e savings per year. These opportunities spanned capital upgrades like improved building controls and lighting, as well as a total saving of over £50,000 of free interventions such as behavioural changes such as setting timers correctly or switching off unused appliances. HESS achieved thousands of pounds worth of savings during the visit by adjusting thermostats, controls, timers and temperature settings throughout the estate, providing immediate savings. Schools were also benchmarked to identify the worst performing kitchens and buildings, supporting a more strategic approach to prioritising future investments.
Dr. Sam Mudie notes: “This project exemplifies what’s possible when FCSI members collaborate. We didn’t just measure waste – we translated it into a plan of action, with costs, carbon, and compliance in mind. And most importantly, we showed that change doesn’t have to mean compromise: it’s about efficiency, resilience, and smarter operation – leading to a more comfortable environment for the students and staff.”
Moving forward, this work will underpin the Trusts “Climate Action Plan”, and potentially ongoing energy management services, procurement and investment strategies. This includes roadmap development, funding guidance, and project management for works such as insulation, controls upgrades, or solar PV.
In a sector that often operates on a famously tight budget, this project demonstrates that sustainability is no longer a ‘nice to have’ – it’s a vital lever for financial survival and educational responsibility. And thanks to FCSI networking, it all started with a conversation over lunch.
