In the Driving Seat: Andy Heaton, Perfect Sense Energy
Perhaps appropriately for someone working in the solar PV and battery storage sector, Andy Heaton’s transport exploits focus more on cycling than cars…
Name
Andy Heaton
Company
Perfect Sense Energy
Position
Partner Channel Manager
Why did you join the NAA?
The NAA actively highlights member capabilities and success stories through its events, forums and newsletters, providing an ideal platform to showcase solar projects as part of its wider innovation and sustainability narrative. By engaging with a network of businesses that serve the energy‑intensive automotive sector – prime candidates for commercial solar PV and battery storage – Perfect Sense Energy can position itself as a trusted, established specialist with proven results for organisations similar to NAA members.
Personal
Married – 25 years next year – and with a grown-up daughter I enjoy spending time with family. When I’m allowed out alone, I’m a keen road cyclist (albeit a fair weather one) and tend to get some pedalling in most Sunday mornings – always with a coffee and cake stop somewhere on route. I’ve cycled Mount Teide in Tenerife and The Route des Grande Alpes which takes in ten high mountain passes (several which regularly feature in the Tour de France) in the French Alps.
A good few years ago I briefly – and unwittingly – became involved in an Iron Man competition which was taking place along one of my regular routes. I joined the cycling stage for around five miles, being clapped all the way. I proudly posted on socials that I’d taken part in an Iron Man!
Favourite sport / team
I played amateur cricket at a reasonable level when I was younger – and have already been approached to “help out” this year if the team are struggling for numbers on a weekend… For my sins, I’m a Preston North End supporter….so success, football-wise, has alluded me.
Musical performer
Very varied and eclectic…but hardly anyone from the past 15-20 years. The Smiths / Morrissey, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Marillion and almost anything from the 80s.
Movie
Shawshank Redemption
Books
Not really a big book reader… although I’ve enjoyed a couple of Bob Mortimers (And Away and The Satsuma Complex) over the past few years.
Best motoring moment
Not really the “best” moment, but I remember, when I was seventeen and learning to drive, that my Dad let me drive everywhere – especially to Preston North End away games. We had been somewhere over in the North East and, with L plates on the car, we used A-roads everywhere. It was early January, freezing fog and with almost zero visibility. We came through Alston, with switchback / hairpin corners, which was terrifying. Then we climbed Shap on the A6 which, again, was an experience. I was keen to swap seats with my Dad…but he made me drive on.
Best business advice you’ve ever received?
Keep learning – review past calls, analyse what worked – refine your approach.
