Chris Richards BSc Physics, 1979

Founder Eco2 Ltd

I took up my place as an undergraduate at the University of Southampton in the autumn of 1976.

There is no doubt that my time at Southampton was one of the most enjoyable and enlightening of my life.

Reflecting over thirty years later on, on the many great experiences that have followed, there is no doubt that my time at Southampton was one of the most enjoyable and enlightening of my life.

In 2002, I set up a new independent renewable energy business called Eco2 Ltd.

Eco2 has subsequently gone on to become a very successful developer of renewable energy projects in the UK and overseas with over £500million of projects currently in various stages of development.

One point I’d make to young graduates preparing to set out in life, would be that despite the advantages that academic and professional qualifications clearly bring, it has been an understanding of people in the workplace, and developing my ability to communicate effectively, that has helped me to succeed.