Meet the Mantis team
At Mantis Energy we have curated a dynamic experienced team across multi disciplines. Our aim is to provide our clients with a full end to end design service all brought together by a desire to create a difference in attaining the governments Net Zero targets and bring a benefit to the environment. Our staff undergo a full training program as part of their induction to the company as well as ongoing professional development throughout the year to keep us up to date with all upcoming changes to the building sector. Find out more about our fantastic team below.
Mike Foat
Managing Director
Meet Mike
Mike is the Founder and Managing Director of Mantis Energy after discovering a need to make buildings more sustainable in the UK. Net Zero targets are fast approaching and new and existing buildings need to be decarbonised in a more pragmatic and standardised way.
Since starting Mantic Energy, Mike has been involved in sector wide low energy buildings projects from bespoke domestic homes to hospitals and everything in between. Mike is a chartered engineer and accredited project manager and spends most of his time looking into the latest sustainable technologies and engaging the team with exciting low energy building projects
Key skills
- Helping the UK meet Net Zero Targets
- Leadership and team building
- Researching the latest low energy and renewable technologies
- Providing a strategic overview of Net Zero Carbon Strategies
Interesting Facts
- In my previous career I used to design ships as a Chartered Naval Architect
Natalie Sedgley
Office Manager
Meet Natalie
Natalie joined Mantis Energy in 2021 with an ambition to help the company grow. After working in the fast fashion industry and seeing the environmental impact she decided to change industries to something more aligned to her personal philosophy. Joining Mantis Energy has provided her with a fulfilling role in all aspects.
Since joining she has been a key point of contact for both staff and clients creating a warm and friendly environment. Natalie supports the office by assisting in onboarding all new staff to help them integrate into the company culture and feel at ease, providing support to the full team in all administrative aspects and liaising effortlessly with clients on both commercial and domestic projects.
Key skills
- Multi skilled team player helping all of our team
- Keeps the team motivated
- Brings previous small business experience
- Interested in the environment and preserving nature
Interesting Facts
- I have fished my dog out of the Manchester canal on several occasions
Ella Carey
Graduate Energy Consultant
Meet Ella
Ella began her journey with Mantis Energy as an industry placement student. After graduating with a 1st in BSc Product Design Engineering Ella continued her journey with us and took on a Graduate Energy Consultant role and continues to advance her career here at Mantis.
Ella has continued to expand her knowledge by undertaking a PassivHaus designer course and Retrofit Co-Ordinator qualification. She is also a qualified SAP assessor and fully trained in DEA and DEC. Ella is one of our most widely trained and knowledgeable team members providing her expertise to the team and ensuring she works to the highest standards on client projects.
Key skills
- Interested in learning all aspects of Energy services
- Knowledgeable and supportive to the team
- Enjoys working on a variety of different projects
- Is interested in product design and innovation for the sustainable building sector
Interesting Facts
- You can find me in the gym squatting 1.5 x my own body weight
Nick Hinckley
M&E Design Consultant
Meet Nick
Nick came to Mantis after being an integral part of growth at MCS. We now get to pick his brain for our projects and utilise his expanse of knowledge on renewable technologies to help design high spec systems with the latest standards and technology. Nick is perfectly qualified for assisting in the M&E design of commercial and domestic buildings and provides his knowledge and advice to the rest of the team.
Nick is a self professed nerd and has continued expanding his knowledge with Mantis by undertaking a PAS2035 Co-Ordinator qualification and Heat Geek training. When it comes to learning he always has the latest industry guides and articles to hand and takes a keen interest in the renewables industry.
Key skills
- Likes to get stuck in with an excel challenge
- Engaging team member keen to share knowledge
- Excellent technical ability and likes to learn about latest renewables
- Currently using his organisational ability to set up our football team
Interesting Facts
- I raised over £1,000 for charity completing my first half marathon 2 years ago and a full marathon last year
Jack Castley
Graduate Energy Consultant
Meet Jack
Jack joined Mantis after completing his Masters in Renewable and Sustainable Technologies at Northumbria University and has hit the ground running. As a recent graduate he has up to date knowledge on the latest technologies and is able to easily discuss and recommend options for all types of buildings and projects.
Jack has undertaken several training courses during his time at Mantis and is extremally competent in all aspects of Energy Consulting. Jack recently completed his air tester training and will be out and about with his kit helping ensure buildings reach their air tightness targets.
Key skills
- Fountain of knowledge for up to date technologies
- Enjoys going on site surveys and visiting clients
- Friendly and social in the office with all of the team
- A keen problem solver
Interesting Facts
- I’ve flown and done aerobatics in a plane (I may or may not have ‘been unwell’ into the issued flying gloves)
Mahsa Seifhashemi
Senior Energy Consultant
Meet Mahsa
Mahsa is our highly knowledgeable and skilled Senior consultant who recently finished her PHD with the research topic of “The role of aesthetics in energy-efficient strategies: the case of solid wall houses in the UK”. Her learning journey has taken her from Iran to Australia and now to the UK where we are pleased to have her expertise on board.
Mahsa is our in house IES-VE expert and has extensive CAD knowledge in Revit, AutoCAD, InDesign, Sketch Up and more. Her experience with building models and the built environment makes her an integral part of our heat decarbonisation team for both commercial and domestic. Mahsa will be using her training skills to run building model demonstrations with the team to expand all our knowledge in IES-VE.
Key skills
- Always open to ideas and challenges
- Patient and calm demeanor in the office
- Good at structuring processes for team
- Fantastic teaching abilities
Interesting Facts
- I’ve had the exciting opportunity to live, study, and work in three far apart and fascinating countries
Amanda Benson
Assistant Administrator
Meet Amanda
Joining is from a University administrator role Amanda has brought her organisational skills and personable nature over to Mantis Energy
Bringing with her years of experience working on complex administrative projects all whilst maintaining a profession calm demeanor. She has quickly learnt the Mantis processes and procedures and can provide integral support on projects.
Key skills
- Warm and friendly member of the team
- Brings a wealth of experience to the administrative team
- Fantastic first point of contact
- Background in recruitment & marketing
Interesting Facts
- In my spare time I am Goal Keeper for a ladies football team
San Slaiwa
Placement Energy Consultant
Meet San
San joins us as on a industrial placement as part of his Mechanical Engineering degree with MMU. He is the 3rd placement we have had here at Mantis and is the latest to benefit from a year in industry with Mantis Energy. We extend at least 1 placement offer each year to a suitable student and hope our contribution helps to bridge the skills gap as well as spark interest in the industry in upcoming graduates.
San has spent the first half of his time with us training and learning the necessary skills to be an energy consultant with guidance from the team. He has also taken on surveying duties and can perform commercial and domestic surveys to a high standard. Recently he has been involved in the largest project of this quarter by shadowing and assisting the M&E team in the design of a heating system on a large scale.
Key skills
- Has a positive approach to learning about the industry
- Hard working always going the extra mile for clients
- Personable and engaged with clients
- Always open to learn from the team
Interesting Facts
- I speak one of the oldest languages in history – Aramaic – thought to be the language of Jesus
Dinkysaurus Rex
Chief Security Officer
Meet Dinky
Dinky has 8 years of experience in the security sector guarding both residential and commercial spaces. He has spent this time honing his barking abilities and making his team aware if anyone in high vis is approaching the office. As the office good boy he spends his days visiting each of his colleagues to collect his daily quota of ear tickles and provide them with moral support and a shoulder to lean on.
Key skills
- Chasing squirrels
- Woofing
- Excellent at fetch
- Napping on colleagues notebooks
Interesting Facts
- I have fallen into the canal so many times both chasing and being chased by geese…….ooops
Matthew Woodward
M&E Design Consultant
Meet Matthew
Matthew joins us with an MSc in Environmental Sustainability and Green technology degree accredited by IEMA and has previous experience working in a building consultants so we knew he would fit right in with the team here at Mantis Energy. He has spent the past few years working on improving energy efficiency and reducing carbon emissions in the built environment and he brings that expertise with him to the team.
Matthew is passionate about creating a change in the world through the building sector and is undergoing further training with Mantis to further enhance his already vast knowledge in both mechanical and electrical design.
Key skills
- A fantastic passion for the sustainability sector
- Bringing a calm and level approach to the team
- Excellent at maths
- Always has a smile and a can do attitude
Interesting Facts
- I once played the title role of Ebenezer Scrooge in my school musical Scrooge
Tom Brown
Placement Energy Consultant
Meet Tom
Tom joins the team as our 23/24 industrial placement as part of his Chemical & Energy Engineer degree with The University of Leeds.
With a solid educational background in energy engineering systems and technology he brings a fresh set of eyes to the company and a willingness to learn about the industry. Studying modules in Wind, Solar, Hydro, storage systems, heat pumps and energy policy we are certain he will go far in his year in industry.
Key skills
- Warm and friendly
- Passion for creating change
- Keen to learn about the industry
- Eye for detail
Umais Saeed
Placement Energy Consultant
Meet Umais
Umais joins the team as he second of our 23/24 industrial placement as part of his Electro Mechanical Engineering degree at Coventry University.
Achieving a first in all his first & second year modules Umias is a keen learner and has taken to his training courses with ease. As part of our placement programme we fund the OCDEA and DEA training courses as the first port of call to give our placements basic knowledge in Energy consulting before moving on to more complex tasks
Key skills
- Warm and friendly
- Passion for creating change
- Keen to learn about the industry
- Eye for detail
Interesting Facts
- I previously worked in the security sector and have apprehended criminals caught in the act