Meet Mark Wagstaff, S2e’s Principal Electrical Engineer
Mark joined S2e in July 2023 after a varied career including being Principal Electrical Projects Manager for Jaguar Land Rover, working all over the UK and Europe.
He was lead electrical engineer for the new generation of Range Rovers and led the refurbishment of the company’s build hall in Solihull, which required plenty of his legendary problem-solving acumen. Mark left school at 16 to become a technician apprentice for Dunlop Aviation then moved on to work across the commercial and industrial sectors as an electrical engineer for contractors and in consultancy. His skills include condition surveys, technical studies, legislative compliance and energy performance. He qualified as a Chartered Electrical Engineer and is a Fellow Member of the Institute of Engineering Technicians, part of the Institute of Electrical Engineers.
Mark chose S2e for the chance to make a difference. “Engineering in the manufacturing sector was becoming increasingly cut-throat whereas now I am helping to build better schools to give pupils a better future,” he says. “The transition to academies means there are many schools who need the expert support S2e can provide.”
Role at S2e
As Principal Electrical Engineer Mark's appointment has allowed S2e to bring electrical engineering in house for the first time. He works alongside our building surveyors on electrical and mechanical heating, lighting and ventilation projects with an increasing focus on renewables, from solar panels to electric vehicle charging and air source heat pumps.
Recent projects
Mark is currently working on a project to strip out an eyesore abandoned school swimming pool which has been rotting for 20 years. It involves full demolition of the building and removal of boilers and the heating and lighting infrastructure before making good the land, remediation and installing a gleaming new structure. “Next year the school will have a fully functioning teaching block that gives the pupils a brilliant learning environment,” Mark says.
He adds: “I love to go and meet our customers, solve the toughest problems and follow a project through from conception to delivery, because I really know we're making a difference. I also manage the budget, which is of paramount importance for our customers.”
Energy performance
Another area where Mark can bring significant value to schools is through energy performance monitoring. “Many schools have never considered their energy consumption before and this can be game-changing for them,” he says.
He visited one site at 7am in September where the heating and lighting in the kitchen were already running at full blast and gas burners had been lit – although no cooking would begin until 11am. The kitchen was like a furnace as the school burnt through its budget.
In contrast, an upbeat project is the work S2e is doing with the King Edward VI Foundation in Birmingham, implementing a lighting programme for 13 Victorian schools and the trust’s headquarters. By converting from inefficient fluorescent tubes to LED lighting, the trust has saved 60% on its lighting bill. Mark explains: “They are over the moon with better lighting so children can learn better, a more comfortable environment, better aesthetics, no flickering fluorescents that have the potential to trigger epileptic fits and a system that is cheaper to run.”
He concludes: “I'm as delighted with the result as they are, because this is something I feel really passionate about.”
About Surveyors to Education (S2e)
Surveyors to Education (S2e) work solely in the education sector to provide estate strategy, funding and surveying expertise to MATs and academies, giving trustees the information they need for making effective decisions. For more information on sustainability and how we can help you develop the optimum learning environment for your pupils, contact us today to find out more at 0116 5070130 or email enquire@s2e.org.uk.
