Guiding Smarter Energy Decisions: A CFO’s Path to Strategic Efficiency
Introduction
In today’s economic climate, financial leaders are expected to do more than balance the books. They’re tasked with steering their organisations through rising energy costs, tightening regulations, and growing pressure to demonstrate environmental responsibility. For CFOs, energy strategy is no longer a back-office concern—it’s a boardroom priority.
As Sean Midgley, Managing Director of Hawley Energy, puts it: “CFOs are uniquely placed to turn energy from a cost centre into a strategic asset. The key is knowing where to look, what to measure, and who to trust.”
This guide outlines the practical steps CFOs can take to make better energy decisions—decisions that protect margins, reduce risk, and support long-term growth. Each step reflects the kind of support Hawley Energy quietly delivers behind the scenes: technical rigour, commercial clarity, and a commitment to measurable impact.
Step 1: Understand Your Estate’s True Energy Profile
Before any strategic decision can be made, CFOs need a clear picture of how energy is used across their estate. This means going beyond utility bills and benchmarking reports to uncover the real inefficiencies hidden in day-to-day operations.
Hawley Energy’s approach begins with detailed energy audits and post-occupancy reviews. These aren’t generic tick-box exercises—they’re tailored assessments led by accredited engineers who understand the nuances of commercial buildings. By identifying where energy is wasted and where performance falls short, CFOs gain the insight needed to prioritise investment and avoid costly missteps.
Step 2: Align Compliance with Commercial Value
Regulatory compliance is often seen as a burden, but for CFOs, it can be a lever for strategic advantage. ESOS audits, SECR reporting, and Display Energy Certificates aren’t just obligations—they’re opportunities to uncover savings, demonstrate leadership, and future-proof operations.
Hawley Energy helps clients meet these requirements with minimal disruption and maximum clarity. Their team doesn’t just file reports—they interpret the data, highlight risks, and flag opportunities for improvement. For CFOs, this means compliance becomes a source of confidence, not concern.
Step 3: Build a Culture of Energy Awareness
Financial decisions don’t happen in isolation, and neither do energy improvements. CFOs who aim for long-term impact know that internal alignment is critical. Without clear communication between departments—finance, facilities, procurement, and sustainability, carbon reduction efforts can falter, leading to missed targets, escalating costs, and conflicting priorities.
It’s not uncommon for capital upgrades to be commissioned without full visibility of lifecycle savings, or for behavioural campaigns to launch without technical input. These disconnects dilute impact and frustrate progress.
That’s why CFOs must go beyond setting strategy, they need to ensure the entire organisation understands the purpose, the goals, and the role they play. Hawley Energy supports this shift by embedding energy thinking across teams. Their Virtual Energy Manager service doesn’t just monitor data, it facilitates dialogue, interprets feedback, and helps organisations stay aligned. It’s a cost-effective way to maintain momentum and prevent siloed decisions that undermine performance.
Step 4: Plan for Low-Carbon Transitions
The move to low-carbon heating, cooling, and lighting isn’t just about sustainability, it’s about resilience. CFOs need to plan for future energy systems that are efficient, compliant, and adaptable to changing market conditions.
Hawley Energy’s thermal modelling and clean energy design services help CFOs evaluate options with confidence. Whether it’s LED upgrades, cooling redesigns, or preparing for heat pump integration, their advice is grounded in real-world experience and tailored to each site’s needs.
Step 5: Make Data-Backed Investment Decisions
Every pound spent on energy improvements should deliver a return. CFOs need to weigh upfront costs against lifecycle savings, carbon reductions, and reputational benefits. That requires robust data, clear modelling, and honest advice.
Hawley Energy prides itself on transparency. They disclose fees, avoid supplier bias, and tailor every recommendation to the client’s goals. Their engineers speak the language of finance as well as facilities, helping CFOs make decisions that stand up to scrutiny.
Step 6: Think Beyond the Contract
Energy strategy isn’t a one-off project, it’s an ongoing journey. CFOs who succeed in this space build long-term partnerships that evolve with their business.
Hawley Energy offers continued support beyond initial assessments. From renewal planning to performance tracking, they stay engaged to ensure strategies deliver over time. For CFOs, this means fewer surprises, better forecasting, and a trusted sounding board when new challenges arise.
Conclusion
Energy decisions are no longer just technical, they’re financial, strategic, and reputational. CFOs who take a proactive, informed approach can unlock real value for their organisations. But success depends not only on good data and sound modelling—it hinges on collaboration. When departments communicate, when goals are shared, and when energy becomes a cross-cutting theme, strategies hold up under pressure.
As Andrew Hawley, Founder of Hawley Energy, says: “Carbon reduction isn’t just about installing equipment, it’s about getting everyone on board. When finance, ops and tech teams work together, that’s when real change happens.”
For CFOs ready to lead with purpose, energy is no longer a cost to manage—it’s a strategy to master. And it starts with listening, aligning, and acting with clarity.
Written by: Andrew Hawley
Date: 31st July 2025
About Us
Turning Energy Insights into Sustainable Action
At Hawley Energy, we believe that sustainability isn’t just a goal; it’s a continuous journey. We partner with organisations to unlock the full potential of their energy systems, helping them thrive across the triple bottom line: people, planet, and profit.
Founded on the principle that insight drives impact; our consultancy is built around deep technical expertise and a commitment to measurable results.
Our team of accredited CIBSE and IET engineers conduct ongoing assessments to uncover hidden inefficiencies, reduce carbon emissions, and drive smarter, data-backed decisions.
Whether you’re looking to cut operational costs, meet regulatory requirements, or lead your industry in sustainability, we provide the tools, knowledge, and support to make it happen. From optimising building performance to streamlining energy and greenhouse gas reporting, we turn complex challenges into clear, actionable strategies.
But we don’t stop at systems; we help foster a culture of energy awareness across your organisation, empowering your people to be part of the solution.
If you’d like to find out more, you can check out the Hawley Energy Website www.hawleyenergy.co.uk and click on the Contact Me page, call them on +44 (0) 01484 929545 or email ‘hello@hawleyenergy.co.uk’.
