Love Local with The List: Vent Ltd

When a career in finance no longer sparked joy, local entrepreneur Greg Zimmerman decided to rebuild his life - quite literally - from the ground up.

The result? Vent Ltd, a Guernsey-grown business built on craftsmanship, strong values and a refreshing take on what makes a great team.

Read Greg’s story here.

 

 

'Our two non-negotiables are safety and happiness. Everything else flows from that.'

 

Who I Am.

I’m Greg. I'm 40 years old and, honestly, I feel like I’m in the prime of my life. I’m a father, a husband, a brother, a friend - and I love sport, food, music and people (and all their nuances).

I have been around the block a few times and I’m pretty direct by nature. I get that directness from my mum - a lot of my best qualities come from her. She taught me, from a really young age, the most valuable lesson I’ve ever learned: to see the good in everyone, no matter their background or story.

I’ve always been someone who loves routine and structure, and that runs through the heart of what we’ve built at Vent. It’s a business built on relationships, on showing up and doing things properly - for our clients, our team, and our island.

 

How It All Began.

Looking back, it was all about timing, mentors and a lot of energy.

In my previous life - I’ve had a few! - I worked in private equity, both locally and in Scotland and London. I was good at the client relationship side and not a bad Company Secretary either, but after more than 15 years it became clear that financial services and I needed some time apart.

During a period of gardening leave, my wife and I had an honest conversation about my low moods and lack of drive. After some tears and a lot of soul-searching, I realised it was time for a change. So, I went back to school and revisited my childhood love of construction and building things (my tattoos tell a bit of that story). I also finally got my driving licence (at the age of 37) and sent my CV to everyone in construction I could think of, hoping someone would give me a chance.

That someone was C8 Ltd, a prominent local mechanical and electrical firm. Ian and Nick, the founders, gave me the opportunity to join them and to form what became the C8 Specialist Ventilation Compliance Department. I started out on my own, decontaminating kitchens and learning everything I could about ventilation, compliance and safety through specialist colleges and hands-on work. 

Before long, with Ian and Nick mentoring me and giving me access to education, the business grew. With a growing team it became clear that with focus and the right people, we could stand on our own. With Ian and Nick’s continued support, I wrote a business plan and pitched the idea of a standalone company. They said yes. And that’s how Vent Ltd - C8’s younger, disruptive (in the positive, modern meaning of the word!) sibling - was born.

We launched on 1 June 2025. Since then, we’ve grown to a team of ten, opened a manufacturing facility to produce ductwork locally, launched our website and branding, and hired our first admin team member (thank goodness!). It’s been one of the best experiences of my life.

 

 

'It’s a business built on relationships, on showing up and doing things properly - for our clients, our team, and our island.'

 

Our Ethos.

Our two core values are simple: Safety and Happiness.

Those were my non-negotiables when I started this second career, and they remain at the heart of everything we do. Quite simply, it is something the team and I live and breathe every single day. My job is to keep the team safe - and their job is to keep me happy by being safe!

All jokes aside, Vent has only grown because of the people who make it what it is. We respect each other, our clients and the islands we work in.

Sustainability is also a big part of how we operate. Our entire fleet is electric, and we work with local partners wherever possible, from sourcing recycled cleaning rags from a local laundrette to buying tools from island suppliers instead of ordering online. Small changes, but they add up.

 

 

'Vent has only grown because of the people who make it what it is.'

 

Our Team Culture.

Our ethics come directly from our values: manners, respect and honesty.

The quality of our work flows from those behaviours. My promise to the team is the same one Ian and Nick gave me: access to education, an opportunity to gain qualifications, and a positive environment to come to work in every day. In return the team gives me their time and energy, and their commitment is unwavering. It inspires me every single day.

At certain times of the year, we work 24 hours a day to meet deadlines. I’ve turned up to job sites at 2 am - that shift runs 9 pm to 4 am - just to check in on the guys. The smiles and the welcome I get at that hour are genuinely heart-warming.

Everyone has families and commitments outside of work but because we all talk and care about each other I know what the teams’ personal situations are, and I make sure this is considered every single day. Our age range runs from 20 to 70, and that mix of experience and energy makes us stronger. Each one teach one is a phrase we live by.

I also make a point of sending a weekly WhatsApp message celebrating what everyone’s achieved. When I'm writing those messages, it's a really nice time to reflect on how quickly we are growing and developing as a business and individuals. It is easy to overlook these granular moments in a new business, and what started as a bit of Friday motivation has turned into a two-way gift. It reminds all of us to pause and appreciate how far we’ve come.

 

 

'At its heart, Vent is about people. It’s about building something lasting, for the island, for the team, and for the families behind it all.'

 

The Best Bits.

The best thing about working at Vent is the team. Every single time.

Sam is one of the kindest, happiest people I have ever met in my whole life. Jonathan has the best manners and consideration for people and has taught me more lessons than he knows. Jack is a bundle of energy and has a sense of humour and ability to laugh at himself, which I hope to learn. Ant has a work ethic that matches mine and stoic view on life that humbles me often. Uncle Keith (our more experienced team member) is like the oracle of everything basically and can take anything apart and fix it.  Jamie has a wonderfully analytical mind and level of intelligence. Ollie is so balanced and considered, he helps me every single day. Morgan is a fantastic technician and ultra reliable. 

And then there’s Ian and Nick, two of the best mentors I have ever had. I am fortunate to have them as business partners and team members. Together, they’ve been the best guides anyone could ask for.

Writing this down makes me realise how lucky I am to work alongside each and every one of them. At its heart, Vent is about people. It’s about building something lasting, for the island, for the team, and for the families behind it all.

 

 

'I’m proud that we’re building something local that supports local, and we’re proving good business and good values can go hand in hand'

 

The Challenges.

Of course, there are challenges along the way - the main ones we face are time and logistics.

Time, because there’s never enough of it. Logistics, because I’m still learning. When we set up our manufacturing facility, I realised the day before our three-tonne plant arrived that my forklift wasn’t big enough to unload it.

But we turned it into a positive problem-solving process, and I met three new local businesses along the way. That’s the beauty of working in Guernsey - the community is strong, and people want to help each other succeed. 

 

Local Life.

I truly believe Guernsey is a great place to live and work. I love the community, the togetherness, the food, the beaches, the nature - and, most of all, the people I share it with. My family, my wife, my friends, and my team.

Of course, island life has its challenges - travel connections, logistics, housing - but for me, the positives far outweigh the rest. I’m proud that we’re building something local that supports local, and we’re proving good business and good values can go hand in hand.

Outside of work, I’m happiest when life’s simple and I love the "3 S's": Sheffield Wednesday, Snooker, and Shoes! I collect Adidas trainers and have over 35 pairs - even a bright pink Neon pair of ZXs. I used to collect all brands of trainers and had over 100 pairs at one stage - but that's a different story!

 

Why The List Loves Vent.

Greg has such an unwavering commitment to creating a business and team that makes us proud to love local. His honesty and focus on mental health and happiness is one to applaud and his attitude to his work is just admirable.

 

Vent design and deliver advanced ventilation systems that improve air quality and create healthier spaces. Everything they do is built around three pillars - Manufacture, Install, Comply - ensuring seamless integration, full compliance, and standout performance. 

Get in touch to discover a fresh approach to workplace wellbeing with high-performance ventilation systems tailored to your needs.