08 October 2024
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Megan Gotobed shares her journey from humble beginnings to becoming Head of Operations for the Residential Product Group at Mitsubishi Electric, discusses the challenges facing the industry, and asks: “Why wouldn’t women consider joining the heat pump industry?! It’s an incredibly exciting time as we stand on the cusp of tremendous growth, bringing with it lots of opportunities."
What was your first job?
My first job was as a Silver Service waitress at a hotel when I was very young, and I loved it! Every weekend, I was immersed in the lively atmosphere of weddings, functions, and the hotel restaurant. The fast-paced environment kept me busy and energised, and I enjoyed the variety of working with different people every day.
I've always been highly motivated to work and earn money, so I took on as many shifts as possible, balancing them around my education. This job gave me a fantastic foundation for building my customer service, communication, and people skills which have been invaluable throughout my career.
How did you get into the heat pump industry?
I stumbled into the heat pump industry quite by accident! My journey began in 2007 when I joined Mitsubishi Electric on a 12-month maternity leave contract in an administrative role. At just 19, I was the youngest member of Mitsubishi Electric’s Living Environmental Systems division, which was solely an air conditioning department at that time. The Ecodan heat pumps had not yet been introduced.
Shortly after I joined, Ecodan heat pumps were launched, and the Heating department began to take shape. The company was looking to recruit its first one-to-one (121) Heating Account Manager, a position in internal sales.
Initially, I wasn't keen on applying because I had a misconception about what a career in 'Sales' entailed and I didn’t think it would be for me. However, I decided to take the plunge and was successful in becoming the first 121 Heating Account Manager. Initially, I had no existing customers, so my job was to cold call Plumbing and Heating companies across the UK, introducing them to our new 'Air Source Heat Pumps'—a concept unfamiliar to many. This role required me to educate potential clients about this upcoming technology.
Over the next few years, my role evolved, and I advanced to the position of National 121 Manager, where I grew the team of 121 Account Managers. After maternity leave, I transitioned into the role of Heating Operations Manager, focusing on establishing and centralising a dedicated Heating Operations team to better support our heating partners.
Following my second maternity leave, I continued to enhance the Operations team and eventually progressed to Senior Operations Manager. In April 2024, I took on my current role as Head of Operations for the Residential Product Group. Throughout my tenure at Mitsubishi Electric, I have been instrumental in setting up and growing two key teams within the Residential Heating Product Group.
What does your current role involve?
As Head of Operations, I oversee the operational activities within the Residential Product Group at Mitsubishi Electric. My primary responsibility is to ensure that we provide the best customer service and operational support in the HVAC industry.
Leading the Operations teams, my focus is on elevating customer service and centricity. I constantly review our existing services and processes, looking for ways to strengthen these to support the company's strategy and growth plans.
The Operations team is a customer focused, central hub within the residential heating group. We manage orders, deliveries, and stock, and provide vital support to the Sales team.
It's a varied and fast-paced role — which I love. I enjoy being busy, having a wide range of tasks, and interacting with different people and teams every day.
Do you have any mentors or anyone who inspires you?
Throughout my career at Mitsubishi Electric, I’ve been lucky enough to work with some fantastic people. In my early years as the 121 National Sales Manager, I had the privilege of being mentored by Michelle Coombe. She has been an inspiration to me since I joined the company. Michelle started her career in a very similar entry level role to mine and progressed through various management positions, eventually becoming the joint LES Divisional Manager.
What truly inspired me was watching her continuously advance her career while starting a family. She showed me that a career doesn’t have to stop after having children. As a young and inexperienced manager in a predominantly male industry, Michelle was instrumental in building my confidence and helping me navigate challenges, shaping me into the leader I am today.
One piece of advice from her that has always stuck with me is, “Be curious.” It’s a simple yet powerful reminder to ask questions and seek knowledge.
I’m inspired by people who start from the very bottom and work their way up. I hope to inspire others as well, showing that it doesn’t matter where you start, you can always progress and further yourself.
What do you see as the challenges facing the industry?
The rollout of heat pumps and the decarbonisation of home heating are critical if we are to achieve net zero. This means the retrofit of existing homes and ensuring new homes are built with heat pumps.
At Mitsubishi Electric, we are committed to manufacturing Ecodan heat pumps. However, a significant challenge is the need for more trained heat pump installers. If the Government’s target of installing 600,000 heat pumps per year is to be met, this gap must be addressed.
Increasing homeowner uptake is another challenge. Consumers need greater awareness of heat pumps and their advantages over fossil fuel boilers, such as efficiency, lower running costs, and sustainability. Many people are still unaware of what a heat pump is, how it works, and why it’s a better option for home heating than gas or oil.
Additionally, reducing electricity costs to make heat pumps more attractive and affordable for households is essential. This is especially important in the current cost-of-living crisis, where volatile gas prices are impacting household utility bills.
What would you say to other women who are considering coming into the heat pump industry?
Why wouldn’t anyone consider joining the heat pump industry?! It’s an incredibly exciting time as we stand on the cusp of tremendous growth, bringing with it lots of opportunities.
There’s a common misconception that you need a technical qualification or a technically minded to succeed in this field, but that’s absolutely not the case. If you have adaptable skills, are motivated by continuous development, and are driven to make a positive impact, then I would recommend joining our industry.
It’s extremely rewarding to know that what we do today is helping future generations and shaping how our world will look in years to come.
What do you like to do outside of work?
With two young children, much of my time outside of work is spent entertaining them and enjoying family activities. However, when I do get some time for myself, I have a few passions that I love to indulge in.
I’m a big fan of the theatre, and so far, Moulin Rouge has been my favourite show. I also enjoy diving into suspense and thriller novels—Verity and The Housemaid series are among my top picks. Recently, I’ve been keen on improving my cooking skills, with my air fryer getting plenty of use. I have recently taken some cooking classes to learn new recipes and techniques, which I’m excited to continue exploring!
