Graduate recruits help growth at SmartCarbon

A Northumbria graduate initially recruited as an intern at a North East start-up business has not only secured permanent employment but has accelerated through the ranks to become a Lead Consultant.

Anindya Chatterjee joined Newcastle-based SmartCarbon Ltd in 2021 as part of a funded internship programme managed by Northumbria, and has contributed significantly to the company’s rapid expansion.  With a Master’s degree and distinction in Environmental Management, Anindya had the skills and knowledge to work on major projects for SmartCarbon – helping its clients across the UK measure and reduce their carbon emissions. At the end of his internship he gained permanent employment and now, as a Lead Consultant, he is responsible for working across many key accounts including the Newcastle Hospitals Trust, construction company Esh Group, Durham Cathedral and a number of social housing providers.

SmartCarbon was established in 2016 by Anna-Lisa Mills, a Chartered Environmentalist and highly regarded carbon expert with more than 30 years of experience in sustainability and carbon reporting. Under her guidance the business experienced strong demand from clients looking for technical help in carbon management and the ability to recruit local, highly skilled graduates with funding support was critical.

SmartCarbon says bringing Anindya in has been hugely beneficial and that he has become an integral part of the company's growth. Working at SmartCarbon has also given him the opportunity to continue to learn under the mentorship of Anna-Lisa Mills. And following Anindya’s success a second Northumbria graduate Jacinta Lepcha has now been recruited as a carbon consultant. Jacinta graduated in 2022 with an MSc in Disaster Management and Sustainable Development.

SmartCarbon’s relationship with Northumbria has also been strengthened further through a partnership to deliver a number of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) courses, where companies can develop employee skills in carbon reduction and accounting.

Commenting on the support from Northumbria Lee Jackson, SmartCarbon Managing Director, said: "As a North East-based business we are fortunate to have one of the country's leading Environmental Management courses delivered locally, which gives our organisation access to highly skilled talent able to support our growth aspirations as a business.

“It's a testament to the quality of Northumbria University's graduates and the proven success of a recruit like Anindya that SmartCarbon has subsequently recruited a second graduate, Jacinta Lepcha, who studied Environmental Science as an undergraduate and went on to complete a Masters in Disaster Management and Sustainable Development."

Anindya added: "Securing a role with SmartCarbon was a fantastic opportunity when I first joined the business in 2021 and I'm thankful that I've had the opportunity to develop within SmartCarbon and gain promotion to Lead Consultant in my time here.

"Having the opportunity to be part of a business doing important environmental and sustainability work with a range of interesting, motivated and enthusiastic clients gives me great satisfaction."

Northumbria places more graduates into highly skilled jobs in the North East than any other university, helping to power the regional economy, supporting businesses, and opening up life-changing opportunities for students.

For more information please visit www.northumbria.ac.uk/graduatefutures