Ben Stocking
Founder of In-SynQ Solutions Ltd.
In 2015 I was at a turning point after 16 years in the employed world, so I stepped out of my comfort zone, became an entrepreneur, and haven’t looked back since! I wanted to work with likeminded businesses to help them grow in a sustainable manner that works In-SynQ with customers and other businesses. I believe that through building mutually beneficial relationships of trust, the business will flow. In addition, the In-SynQ way is to drive benefits to environmental and social initiatives.
Having worked within key industries that impact everyone and having witnessed first hand how businesses and regulators are often out of sync with customers, I know there is a different way.
Before I started my journey in sustainability, sales, coaching, team, and business transformation, I studied Biological Sciences at the University Of Leicester, the birthplace of DNA fingerprinting, where I focused on Environmental Biology, Conservation, Microbiology, Fisheries, and Evolutionary Sciences.
I wanted to save nature, having immersed myself in nature as a child, seeking solace and inspiration in its restorative mindfulness inspiring majesty. Then I lost my way and apathy set in, I got seduced by the dark side of the force and a stop gap job to pay my student debts in a mortgage broker, became 10 years.
I am now truly blessed to be working on projects that reconnect with my purpose and having transitioned through the emotions to action and hope, the latter drives me on with renewed optimism for 2023 and beyond. 7+ years on, I am blessed to now be working in biodiversity, green business transformation, energy transition, and regenerative food systems.
Having worked in financial services for over a decade within a large brokerage, post, and pre-regulation and then having co-founded and grown a business from scratch to 60 staff, that dealt with customer complaints against financial institutions, I have seen first hand both sides of the coin and encountered thousands of consumer interactions and journeys.
My experiences during my employed career provided many essential experiences and skills vital for business growth and transformation. Over 15 years I recruited, trained, coached, and nurtured hundreds of colleagues, built sales, telemarketing, customer service, and administration teams from scratch, whilst developing processes, CRM systems, HR protocols, Compliance, Training, and Development Suites and also identified and integrated new markets and products for businesses. I have extensive experience in B2C & B2B, also a vast network of diverse business owners, experts, and contacts throughout the UK and Globally.
My experience helps you to cut through the uncertainty, distil and catalyse your vision, and then accelerate the development of diverse business functions. Whilst I am not an expert at everything, I have a network of people who will most likely know the answer or at least provide a trusted option, I am a keen analyst and expert negotiator.
Only one thing is certain in business – failure to innovate and improve means going backwards! We live in unprecedented times, riding the wave of the fourth industrial revolution, bringing huge challenges and also opportunities. I have been within sizeable businesses when the market has changed, witnessed failure, transformation, and success more than once and I have a clear vision for staying a few steps ahead!
One of my first clients was a new market – energy – one, which was like financial services back in the dark ages! However energy is a vital sector, one that is pivotal to climate solutions, I focused on growing my knowledge and this business, developed a comprehensive understanding of the vital and complex energy industry and helped this business to flourish diversify, and grow.
Similar to financial services, everyone uses and needs energy, and elements of the industry remind me of financial services about 20 years ago because customers are often given a raw deal by the big companies!
I decided that it was better to be part of the solution, and have witnessed, and personally delivered some exciting innovative solutions for UK businesses. The market has evolved for the better with green energy solutions and the clean energy transition in the UK making progress. OFGEM came close to introducing transparency but this took a back seat when the very regulatory conditions they and UK governments created, caused the market to implode and most suppliers failing. Thankfully the alternative dispute resolution protocols were implemented and through Ombudsman Services micro business consumers can be protected and seek redress if mis-sold energy contracts. With my experience in complaints handling in financial services during the PPI redress saga, and later becoming a judge at the UK Complaint Handling awards, it did shock me this has taken so long and it will be interesting to see how many thousands or millions businesses reclaim. Contact me if you are worried or intrigued to see if you are due a refund!
The UK energy market entering 2022 was broken, yet my hope was that this could be a catalyst for positive change and the price shocks certainly made businesses from takeaways to manufacturers firstly panic and then seek ways to reduce energy usage, this is a silver lining as energy efficiency is a key area where most businesses can unleash huge savings, both financially and environmentally.
In the present, we have much more stable markets, and despite reduced competition, this is changing and we are in a ‘new normal’ with Gas and Electricity prices much higher than before the crisis, but not that far from where analysts expected them and the trajectory was upward for at least 7 years prior.
Suppliers like British Gas, Eon, SSE, Scottish Power and a number of others, who have survived, with new suppliers emerging, offering more competitive prices and also allowing deals to be agreed 6 months or more in some cases before current deals end, summer 2023 is a time when forward planning and opportunities need to be realised. Many businesses are still on tariffs agreed during the height of the crisis, and some (including most clients I was helping with procurement back in 2020/21) agreed longer deals and have enjoyed protection and still looking at a big increase., but glad to have saved a fortune avoiding the worst of the crisis.
It still surprises me how many businesses have a limited understanding of energy basics and even highly successful large SME manufacturers often don’t have insights or access from data, with those that do often saving huge amounts.
Wherever you are on your energy or sustainability journey we are delighted to support with a free and no obligation discovery call, and happy to answer your questions, just get in touch
So, saving energy is a key area we are passionate about, not only to help businesses with specialist consultancy and innovative technology partners but to stop the madness of wasted energy as we face the climate and ecological emergency, and grasp the opportunity to lead regeneration to build a sustainable future.
I am now focusing on holistic solutions to support transparency, education and awareness, to enable all stakeholders to make the informed decisions as we take urgent actions collectively to fight the climate emergency. Navigating the buzz words and greenwashing is a challenge and is getting harder, thankfully the Competitions and Markets authority is now actively targeting this phenomenon, I am working to keep learning and sharing, and empowering others, and blessed to have global experts in our ecosystem.
Energy, in some ways has a clear path and is more simple to fix – Solar, EV, Geothermal, Wind, loads of developing tech, but there is a massive amount we can do now and for free and focus on Regenerative design – behavioural change and green cultural revolution – it can also help get more sales, employee and community loyalty – provided no greenwashing!
Much of my focus since 2016 has been pro bono in third sector projects, network building, educating myself and continuing to seek answers, whilst finding those who know more than me in specialist areas to build a collaborative ecosystem ready to reimagine and build resilient initiatives for a sustainable future.
I am fighting to help more people and organisations to realise and fulfil their sustainability goals by directly supporting green and efficient energy strategy, developing awareness and access to biodiversity enhancement initiatives, nature ideas and regenerative food, to build their own regenerative future, it starts now, give me a call and let’s explore!
We can work together in a symbiotic relationship, just like nature intended.
This is why In-SynQ was born.
Email me or call me on 07805 925 664 for an informal chat about you, your goals, and the unique challenges you face?
Green Circle Nature Regeneration CIC
I was able to co-found a Community Interest Company in December 2020 focused on my passion and studies – helping and protecting nature, and enhancing peoples connection with nature.
- GC Mission
Our mission is to preserve and restore nature for future generations by physically removing pollution, implementing cost-effective solutions and education.
1.2 Overview
Our aim is to improve the health of our lakes, rivers and streams in the UK, starting with the River Soar through the City of Leicester.
We will take action – both proactive and reactive, to preserve and restore nature for the local communities and their children, our future.
This will be a two-pronged approach:
- Reacting to current problems by physically removing pollution and waste, preventing run-off, and implementing cost-effective solutions. We will take on the role of river guardians – similar to street champions.
- Proactively educating the next generation in order to prevent future issues, communities, regenerating nature (increased biodiversity in the local area and the encouragement of a healthier environment).
I was asked if I could help an awesome permaculture farm, and as it was a clear sign from the universe agreed to join as Sustainability Director.
Veg Van community Farm is a sanctuary to promote nutrition and wellbeing to children and young adults.
Our Permaculture farm is a 2-acre site in Belton, Leicestershire, providing an outdoor space to learn hands on nutrition and wellbeing skills.
We help people reconnect with our environment and fellow creatures, growing nutritious food, free from plastic packaging and chemicals.
Through after school and alternative provision services, coupled with our outreach and educational work, we are building up-skilled, connected and resilient communities.
Opportunity to learn growing food in balance with nature opens horizons, directly benefits mental, physiological and physical health, enabling reconnection with nature, self and others.
We can work together in a symbiotic relationship, just like nature intended.
This is why In-SynQ was born.
Email me – ben@in-synq.com or call me on 07805 925 664 for an informal chat about you, your goals, and the unique challenges you face?