Tomas Badia
2026 Saltire Scholar
Energy Markets Intern, Brookfield Asset Management
BSc Statistics, University of Glasgow
Going into my final year studying Statistics at the University of Glasgow, I knew I wanted a summer experience that would push me. What really drew me to the Saltire Scholars Program was the massive alumni network and the fact that the host companies were so global. The idea that Scottish students were being hired for roles all over the world, from America to Canada, was incredibly inspiring to me. I also really valued the community and leadership aspects of the programme, which focus on helping you excel in whatever profession you choose. My main goals were to gain broad, in-depth experience from my host company and to make friends from other Scottish universities who shared a similar entrepreneurial mindset.
Hitting the Ground Running
I spent my summer as an Energy Markets Intern at Brookfield Asset Management in London. Right from the first week, I had to hit the ground running – I was handed a large project. Getting involved early on allowed me to feel part of the team, and gave me the confidence to start making meaningful contributions to our projects almost immediately
I spent a lot of time getting an in-depth understanding of energy markets across Oceania/Australasia, Europe, and the Americas. My statistics degree ended up being essential here. I used my statistical knowledge and coding skills, alongside a university course I’d taken on the principles of large language models (LLMs), to spot trends and do financial modelling. My main project was streamlining large datasets from different regions and presented my findings back to the business. This huge dataset laid the foundations for a powerful AI product that was Brookfield Energy team specific.
Building Tools and Building Relationships
One of the things I’m most proud of is how my work saved my team time. By the end of the summer, I took all these large metrics and complex data sets and used Codex to produce a personalized AI agent. Now, instead of spending hours fetching specific datasets or charts every week, the team can find exactly what they are looking for at the click of a button.
I would’ve never guessed that this summer I’d be building a working AI agent for a major asset management firm. Seeing all that effort come together into a functioning tool was the most rewarding part of the internship. There were definitely hurdles, for example, I had a complex problem with a specific metric called the Market Heat Rate – essentially a measure of how efficiently a power plant converts fuel into electricity. Because this metric is calculated completely differently depending on the continent, knowing all the intricacies and nuances was essential. I was regularly in communication with team members in New York and Toronto to come up with the best course of action. I was also talking to S&P Global to verify our sources and ensure accuracy. It took a lot of hard work, but I was blessed to correctly model this formula for over 50 regions worldwide. Having multiple colleagues approach me towards the end of my internship to tell me that the AI tools I had built would be "beyond useful" for their daily operations was incredibly validating.
But it wasn't all just data and coding. My team was quite large, and the open-plan office made it easy to chat with multiple people every day. Everyone was incredibly kind, and my manager, Emily, was brilliant. She made sure to introduce me to someone from every single department, team, and vertical at Brookfield. Beyond my daily project work, Emily pushed me outside my comfort zone by having me attend external S&P Global events. One standout was a conference discussing geopolitical tensions in Iran and the ripple effects on oil, gas, and power. Having the privilege to network with and learn from the high-level executives at these events was an incredible opportunity.
Broadening My Horizons
Without a doubt, this experience helped me grow exponentially and far exceeded my expectations for a single summer. Professionally, I was constantly inspired by my team to work hard and deliver results that went beyond just meeting the basic requirements. Knowing that my performance reflected not just on me, but on the Saltire program itself, gave me an extra drive to stay focused, even during a few late nights working at the office.
Before this internship, I always figured I would likely stay in Scotland after graduation because I love it there – who doesn’t? But living in London and being surrounded by the program’s global mindset really broadened my horizons and showed me how many international opportunities are out there. It has given me the confidence and motivation to aim high when applying for graduate roles.
Paying It Forward
If I were starting my internship from scratch, or giving advice to future Saltire Scholars, my biggest tip would be to talk to as many people as possible. I know it sounds simple, and it may seem daunting given you’ll be in a completely new environment – perhaps far from home and surrounded by new faces. But whether it's your host company colleagues or fellow scholars, I haven't met a single person who wasn't helpful and an absolute pleasure to speak with.
The people are easily the best part of this internship, from the host company colleagues to the Saltire team supporting you every step of the way, to the amazing scholars you meet. Some of my favorite memories from the summer involve stepping away from the desk to play darts or grab after-work pints in central London with fellow Saltire Scholars. Being a Saltire Scholar means being part of a lifelong strong community, and it's something I hope and plan to be a part of forever!
