4Ward Energy

Forward Thinkers

Well-respected and established as leaders of energy-saving innovation, Paul West and Dawn Cutler are the founding directors of 4Ward Energy Ltd. They spotted the potential of LED lighting some years ago when they were directors of a start-up company specialising in energy-saving products. Winning numerous innovation awards, the company grew to a value of £9 million and was subsequently sold to an AIM-listed company. With their proven track record in product design and development, as well as supply and delivery, Paul West and Dawn Cutler bring technical expertise and business understanding to their new venture as 4Ward Energy Ltd – signalling the maturity of low-energy technologies such as LED lighting and wireless automated blinds.

Paul West

Managing Director

From early beginnings as a draftsman and project manager, Paul West set up his first company, Westco Ltd, in 1995, designing and installing air conditioning systems in the commercial construction industry. Its rapid success was acknowledged in 2001 when Westco reached number ten in the Sunday Times/Virgin Atlantic Fast Track 100 league table of Britain’s fastest growing unquoted companies and, in 2003, when it was ranked number 26 in the Real Business/Vantis Hot 100. When Paul went on to found IES Mechanical Ltd as well, he created a group generating revenues of up to £28 million per annum over five years. In 2009, Paul left the construction industry and was invited to become managing director of a start-up business in the newly burgeoning energy-savings sector. Growing the business nationally and internationally over six years, Paul expanded the product portfolio and created a diverse client base to include corporate giants, government institutions, commercial buildings and retail sectors. Now, as well as 4Ward Energy Ltd, Paul acts as an independent business consultant, is a speaker at green energy and sustainability conferences, and is on the board of the Thames Gateway Tiger Fund.

Dawn Cutler

Operations Director

As an experienced business consultant, Dawn Cutler started her career in recruitment. She has been involved in the formation and management of businesses in industries as varied as aviation, textiles and high-tech health equipment, and was instrumental in effecting cost reductions during the acquisition phase of a large distributor of electronic equipment. In 2008, recognising the impact of soaring electricity costs on companies’ profit margins, Dawn became a co-founder of a new start-up specialising in energy-saving technologies. As operations director, Dawn was responsible for – amongst other things – project implementation and delivery, client liaison and client satisfaction. Since the industry itself was still in its infancy, Dawn played a crucial role in helping businesses embrace the commercial advantages and opportunities represented by low-energy technologies. With her involvement in educational projects for schools, funded by the European Union Social Fund, Dawn continues to advance the acceptance of sustainable technologies at all levels.