Following the global celebrations of World EV Day™, it’s not just the future of electrified transport we’re looking at, but also the celebration of a new chapter at Connected Kerb. Steering the company’s finances is Claire Howling, recently appointed as its Chief Financial Officer.
With a career that’s seen her guiding high-growth tech start-ups, navigating the financial turbulence of a global pandemic in the transport sector (London St Pancras Highspeed/HS1), and building strong, empowered teams along the way, Claire knows what it takes to keep businesses moving forward.
As Connected Kerb continues to expand its mission of delivering accessible, sustainable charging infrastructure across the UK, Claire shares her thoughts on the opportunities and challenges in the EV sector, the role of finance in enabling the transition, and the importance of diversity in shaping the future of the industry.
What made you want to join Connected Kerb and jump into the EV space?
I’m drawn to businesses that make a real-world impact, and the EV space is all about that. It’s a rapidly transforming industry, and you can feel the energy and momentum. What drew me to Connected Kerb specifically was the team’s passion for supporting sustainability and net zero. I saw a company that’s already making a huge difference, leading the industry, and I felt I could add real value to its next phase of growth.
Finance can sometimes feel like the “back office” side of things, but in a sector like EV, it’s central. How do you see your role in driving the transition?
The role of Finance has changed significantly, especially with the ability to automate a lot of “back office” processes. I see Finance as a key support function, ensuring companies can make the right business decisions and grow in an effective way. Finance should be a growth engine, not just a control function.
The CFO role is a broad one, both strategic and operational. I hope to ensure Connected Kerb can rapidly grow but in a resilient way, scaling our network whilst ensuring we can deliver on the commitments we’ve made to our customers. I want to ensure we have robust internal processes and actively manage risk.
The EV world is moving fast, and it’s a landscape of both challenges and opportunities. What’s at the top of your mind when you think about the road ahead for Connected Kerb?
While the EV world is moving fast, there’s still a long way to go. The biggest challenge is scaling our charging network quickly and ensuring it’s truly accessible for everyone. This will require significant private and public investment, along with an efficient rollout of infrastructure.
Ongoing government support is vital to keeping up momentum. By working together to not only meet but accelerate key milestones, we can deliver the robust and resilient infrastructure the UK needs.
We also need to keep pace with technological developments and navigate evolving regulations to ensure we can continue to offer EV Drivers affordable charging prices.
Strong teams are at the heart of innovation. How do you see diversity and inclusion shaping the EV sector’s future?
To scale the EV industry to the level our society needs, we have to be agile and find creative solutions. Diversity brings fresh perspectives, which will be key to unlocking that creativity. I’m really encouraged by the change I’ve seen in my career so far, but women and other groups are still underrepresented in both the transport and finance sectors.
I believe in mentoring and opening doors for the next wave of leaders. I’ve seen how businesses that commit to a diverse workforce gain a real competitive advantage.
Why do you think initiatives like World EV Day™ are so important?
I think initiatives like World EV Day™ are so important because they serve a dual purpose. They are a day to celebrate the incredible success and progress the industry has already made, while also effectively raising awareness of the EV transition and its critical role in ensuring a more sustainable transport sector. It’s a powerful platform that encourages collaboration between industry, government, and the public, ultimately inspiring everyone to see the bigger picture and take action.
