Meet Sam Seaton, Site Manager at Simpsons

The construction of our new energy centre at Simpsons Malt in Berwick-upon-Tweed is moving forward rapidly, with the first-of-its-kind electric boiler delivered to site this week. 

While the site is still under development, Site Manager Sam Seaton has been fully immersed in the project, working closely with our contractors, Vital Energy, on the installation and commissioning of both the biomass and electric boilers.

Sam joined us in July, and in her role, she oversees the entire operation of the energy centre, managing both the boilers and the additional plant installed on-site. The Simpsons energy centre is a first for AMP, combining both biomass and electric boilers. The 12MW electric boiler is powered by curtailed wind energy, which would otherwise go to waste during periods of excess renewable generation. Meanwhile, the 3x 6MW biomass boilers are fuelled by locally sourced, low-grade woodchip.

As the project nears completion, Sam has taken the opportunity to engage directly with the Simpsons Malt team, building invaluable relationships with their staff. Her productive meetings with the site manager and production team, along with a behind-the-scenes look at the malting process, have given her a deeper understanding of their expectations.

The site team is now complete, with the latest recruits joining this month. Sam will be supported by two mechanical engineers, Danny Knotman and Toby Smith, as well as Ray Beaton, an electrical engineer.

Looking ahead, Sam’s long-term goals include ensuring consistent boiler performance, hitting operational targets, and focusing on the development and upskilling of her team. As a Berwick local, she is also committed to making a positive impact on the community while continuously exceeding client expectations.

Our project at Simpsons is truly groundbreaking, and with Sam and her team on board, we’re confident everything will run smoothly.