Get to Know Jai: Driving Sustainability Forward at IC24
Discover how Jai’s journey from Sustainability Administrator to Officer is helping shape a greener, more connected future for IC24.
by IC24
I have been with IC24 for two years, and in that time my journey has been fast-paced and exciting! I kicked off my career at IC24 a year after graduating and starting my Master’s in Sustainability. I first joined the organisation as Sustainability Administrator, tasked with collating our Scope 3 emissions for our annual carbon reduction plan, and liaising with our suppliers regarding their own net-zero plans. At the time this really kept me busy as we were somewhat starting from scratch!
After a year, I joined the Link24 employee network as I wanted to enhance our organisational sustainability culture and engage with the wider organisation. This contributed to me building valuable relationships with other colleagues beyond my immediate team, learning more about IC24, and strengthening my confidence within the organisation.
I have since progressed to Sustainability Officer, which has led me to become more involved in regulatory and compliance-related aspects, decarbonisation projects, and stakeholder engagement. All in all, my journey over the past couple of years has been extremely progressive in terms of growing my comfort, confidence, experience, and knowledge.
When I saw the role advertised, I immediately knew it was what I wanted as it combines my interests in economics, data analysis, and sustainability, enabling me to put my studies into practice straight away. What sold me even further was the nature and values of our organisation and how they align with my own, especially regarding provisioning healthcare within communities. I decided during my studies that I didn’t want to use my knowledge to drive profit, but rather to drive positive social value, which is exactly what I get to do in my job role, and is also reflected in IC24’s wider purpose.
The best thing about my role is working with our colleagues. To gather our data and implement initiatives, my role requires me to collaborate with colleagues across departments and regions constantly. I really enjoy being able to meet and work with new people, engage with a range of subject areas, and build valuable working relationships along the way.
One of the moments that made me feel proud of what I’m doing was re-establishing the Sustainability Focus Group earlier this year for colleagues to discuss organisational sustainability and ways to enhance it. I always feel fulfilled when sustainability communications and initiatives resonate with and interest my colleagues. Therefore, to have established a forum allowing colleagues to spearhead initiatives, and to have such a diverse range of colleagues take part and create ideas is incredibly rewarding. Many rich and unexpected conversations take place during these meetings, and having facilitated a space that allows them to happen, leading to collaborative action and insight, is a true honour.
One thing that sets IC24 apart from other companies is the innovative and knowledgeable nature of our workforce. We’re seeing a lot of technical innovation nowadays, but all systems and organisations are built on people, and people need to be at the centre of systemic change and improvement. At IC24, colleagues across the organisation combine a shared passion for serving our patients with individual knowledge and experience to drive improvements in the ways we work and deliver our services. Given this is all for the purpose of better serving our patients and communities, this sets our organisation apart, and makes every single one of us change-makers.
One of the most challenging projects I’ve faced was reforming our waste facilities in time for upcoming recycling legislation changes in April. It required coordinating multiple sites, aligning with suppliers, engaging with colleagues and reforming our existing facilities in compliance with new requirements. It was a steep learning curve that tested my project management and communication skills, but incredibly satisfying to see the improvements take shape and knowing that we’re contributing to more responsible waste management across the organisation.
The most rewarding part of my role is seeing tangible change come to life. Whether that’s through reducing emissions, embedding new sustainability initiatives, or seeing colleagues become more engaged and passionate about the topic, knowing that my work contributes to both environmental and social impact keeps me motivated every day. It’s also rewarding to know that my efforts help position IC24 as a forward-thinking organisation that truly values sustainability as part of its identity.
Overall, I'd described my role as dynamic, diverse, and fulfilling. I am so grateful for the opportunities I’ve had so far at IC24 and for all the colleagues who’ve supported me along the way. Sustainability is a collective effort, and every bit of engagement and enthusiasm from others makes a difference. I’m excited to see how our organisation continues to evolve and the positive impact we continue to create together!