International Women’s Day provides an opportunity to recognise the women shaping industries that are critical to our future. As OCS strengthens its Energy Services capability, the focus remains clear: combining engineering expertise with trusted customer relationships to deliver practical, measurable progress in decarbonisation, asset performance and long-term resilience.
For Mishka Scott, who joined OCS at the start of this fresh path, the launch represents more than a business development opportunity. It matches her career path.
“When we turn up as our authentic selves, whether that’s shaped by motherhood, culture, or lived experience, we strengthen the profession. You’re hired for being you, not for being a version that feels more palatable. And when you progress, you carry others with you. That’s how we create lasting change.”
Mishka Scott
Energy Engineer
From Plumbing to Mechanical Engineering
Mishka started her career as a plumber before studying Mechanical Building Services. She was later accepted onto a master’s programme based on her extensive industry experience and her status as a Chartered Building Engineer. She achieved her chartered status through practical, industry experience rather than the traditional academic pathway. That early, hands-on experience developed her understanding of how buildings operate in practice.
She went on to study mechanical engineering and progressed through roles in construction delivery and senior project management. Much of her early career was site-based, managing technically complex residential environments with demanding programmes and top-quality standards.
Over time, Mishka gained experience across the full construction lifecycle: early feasibility, engineering optioneering, estimating, pre-construction planning, and handover to delivery teams. For Mishka, it is important to follow a project all the way through, from early feasibility to commissioning, making sure the solution does what we said it would do.
That vast knowledge now shapes how she approaches energy projects.
A Turning Point
The disruption to working patterns of COVID-19 prompted a period of reflection.
While her work in high-end residential construction was technically challenging, Mishka began to question where her skills could have a greater impact. Mishka wanted to focus her experience somewhere that could make a wider contribution, moving into energy and renewables felt like the right direction for her.
She transitioned into energy-focused roles, concentrating on how systems perform, how buildings consume power and how early engineering decisions influence lasting operational outcomes. Over the past five years, Mishka has specialised in pre-construction energy engineering, shaping solutions that support performance, efficiency and carbon reduction.
That experience led her to OCS.
Joining OCS During the Energy launch
Mishka joined OCS just weeks before this interview, becoming part of the Energy Services team.
Whilst the sector is still evolving, processes are being defined, and capability is expanding. For an engineer who enjoys building and improving systems, that environment is energising.
“I really enjoy being part of the creation of something,” she says. “That’s the engineer’s remit, building things, fixing things, coming up with solutions.”
Energy Services at OCS is designed to complement our already established facilities management model. With long-standing customer relationships already in place across public and private sectors, teams understand the assets, operational pressures, and performance expectations.
The work covers everything from feasibility studies, energy assessments, option analysis, and cost planning through to validation during commissioning. It reflects OCS’s Best Service Excellence framework: applying best practice and experience to deliver the Best Outcomes for customers.
Technology supports this approach, but it is our people who remain central to decision-making and delivery.
Balancing Career Progression with Parenthood
Alongside her role in Energy Services, Mishka is a parent to three young children, aged seven, four and four months. Multitasking, managing competing demands and thinking creatively under pressure, are all skills that translate directly into engineering.
Her earlier career was heavily site-based. As her family grew, she made a conscious decision to change the way she worked.
“I wanted to be a very present parent,” she says. “That meant moving away from being fully site-based and working in a way that gave me more flexibility.”
Whilst working primarily remotely, attending site visits when needed and staying closely connected with colleagues and clients. This flexible approach lets her maintain strong on-site relationships while also being present for her family.
Authenticity in Engineering
Energy and construction remain industries where women are underrepresented, particularly in technical roles. Throughout her career, Mishka has often been one of the few women in engineering environments.
Within OCS Energy, she is part of a team that includes three women across engineering and sales leadership roles. It is the highest level of female representation she has experienced.
“You’re hired for being you,” she says. “You bring your own abilities and background. That’s what adds value.”
She is open about the pressure that can come with being seen as a representative of wider communities.
“You can’t feel responsible for speaking for everyone,” she says. “You do your best, and you try to help the next person up.”
Her perspective strengthens a practical, inclusive form of leadership grounded in genuineness.
Continuing to Develop
Mishka’s progression continues. In September, she will begin a part-time master’s degree in humanitarian engineering with a sustainability focus.
The programme will deepen her understanding of resilient systems and sustainable design. It builds on her delivery and pre-construction experience, strengthening her ability to support a longer-term energy strategy.
“I’ve worked on site, in design and in pre-construction,” she says. “Bringing those together with sustainability allows me to support how we plan and position energy capability for customers.”
Spending time to development benefits both the wider business and Mishka’s growth. As OCS continues to develop its Energy Services offer, colleagues with cross-disciplinary experience and specialist knowledge will play a key role.
Engineering That Makes a Difference
For Mishka, the relaunch of OCS Energy represents alignment between professional skill and personal purpose.
Her progression, from plumbing to mechanical engineering, from site leadership to energy strategy, reflects the evolution of the sector itself. Technical skill is still essential. So does context, collaboration and long-term thinking.
As OCS continues to develop its Energy Services capability, colleagues like Mishka are helping shape a sector built around performance, sustainability and people, ensuring customers, communities and teams are empowered to help make people and places the best they can be.
