Building Opportunity Through Resilience: From Retail and Automotive to Retrofit Leadership

For many working in retrofit and energy efficiency today, the journey into the sector is rarely straightforward. For Daljit Kaur, Co-founder of Eco Efficient Home Solutions, her career has been shaped by resilience, adaptability and a determination to build something meaningful.

“My career hasn’t followed a traditional path,” she reflects. “But it has always been driven by a desire to create opportunities and make a difference.”

Daljit began her career in the jewellery industry, where she spent over twelve years developing her skills in management, customer experience and team leadership. Working in a fast-paced environment taught her discipline, attention to detail and the importance of building trust with people.

Alongside this, she explored a property start-up with her father, an early introduction to the built environment that would later influence her career in unexpected ways.

She later moved into the automotive sector, continuing to build her commercial and leadership experience. Growing up in a family environment surrounded by strong male influences, she developed confidence operating in traditionally male-dominated spaces, something that has stayed with her throughout her career.

A defining moment

The turning point came during the pandemic.

Like many, Daljit witnessed industries come to a halt and people around her lose their livelihoods. It was during this time that she and her husband, Raja, made a conscious decision not just to start a business, but to build something with purpose.

“We wanted to create opportunities, support communities and be part of something bigger,” she explains.

Together, they transitioned into the retrofit and energy efficiency sector, beginning with the Green Homes Grant and a clear focus on helping households while contributing to the UK’s journey towards net zero.

Those early days were intense and deeply personal.

“I still remember completing project lodgements the night before giving birth,” she says. A moment that reflects both the challenge and determination behind the business.

As a mother, balancing family life with building a company became a defining part of Daljit’s journey.

“I remember bringing my daughter into the office and creating a space where work and family could exist side by side,” she reflects. “That experience has shaped not only how I lead, but what I stand for.”

Since then, Daljit has grown Eco Efficient Home Solutions into a PAS 2030 and PAS 2035-certified, TrustMark-registered contractor, delivering large-scale retrofit projects across the South East.

A career built through change

Daljit’s journey into leadership has been shaped by her ability to adapt and build through uncertainty.

The skills that have proven most valuable; resilience, people management and the ability to lead teams through change have been critical in a sector as fast-moving as retrofit.

“It’s not a sector where you can stand still,” she explains. “You have to be ready to adapt and move forward.”

Leadership through people and culture

Daljit’s leadership style is firmly people focused.

“I believe in being approachable, present and leading from the front,” she says. “It’s important that my team feel supported and able to come to me openly.”

At Eco Efficient Home Solutions, this has translated into a culture built on trust and strong relationships.

“We’ve created an environment that feels more like a family than a traditional workplace,” she explains. “People stay because they feel valued and supported.”

The reality of the sector

While retrofit is often seen as a male-dominated industry, Daljit’s experience has been more positive.

“Confidence, consistency and knowledge earn respect regardless of gender,” she says. “I would encourage more women to step into the sector with that in mind.”

However, she is clear that one of the biggest challenges facing the industry, particularly for SMEs, is consistency of work.

“Retrofit pipelines are shaped by funding cycles and frameworks, and they can change quickly,” she explains. “You can go from steady delivery to long quiet periods, which makes planning and investment difficult.”

For smaller and women-led businesses, this volatility can be particularly challenging.

What has helped her navigate this is building a resilient team, diversifying across funding streams, and maintaining strong relationships with clients and communities.

“It’s also shown me that inclusion isn’t just about bringing women into the sector,” she adds. “It’s about creating the stability that allows them to stay and progress.”

A national opportunity

Looking ahead, Daljit sees the Warm Homes Plan as a significant step forward.

“What excites me most is the long-term commitment it brings,” she says. “That visibility gives businesses the confidence to grow, invest in people and make a lasting impact.”

She expects to see continued growth across retrofit delivery, project management, customer engagement and technical coordination roles, alongside increasing demand for digital and data skills.

For women in particular, Daljit sees strong opportunities in roles that draw upon communication, organisation and people management.

“These are highly transferable skills,” she explains. “There is real opportunity for people from different backgrounds to enter and succeed.”

Creating pathways into the sector

Daljit is passionate about making the sector more accessible.

“You don’t need a traditional construction background to succeed,” she says. “Many of the most valuable skills come from other industries.”

Her advice for those looking to enter the sector is to start with roles that provide exposure and build experience over time. Roles such as customer liaison, project support or retrofit coordination.

“With the right mindset and willingness to learn, there is a clear path to progression,” she explains.

She also highlights the role of employers and the wider sector in making these pathways more visible and sustainable.

“It’s about awareness, training and creating environments where people can build long-term careers,” she says.

Looking ahead

For Daljit, the future of the sector is closely tied to its ability to attract and retain a diverse workforce.

“Success means creating an industry that reflects the communities it serves,” she says. “Where people feel confident entering, staying and progressing.”

What gives her optimism is the growing momentum behind sustainability and green skills.

“There is a real opportunity here. Not just to build careers, but to make a meaningful difference,” she explains.

A message for the future

For the next generation of women considering a career in the sector, Daljit’s message is clear:

“Don’t be afraid to step into spaces that feel unfamiliar. You don’t need to have all the answers from the start.”

With confidence, curiosity and a willingness to learn, she believes there is space for more women to lead and shape the future of the industry.

“There is a place for you in this sector,” she says. “And more importantly, there is a need for you.”