Syed has over 20 years experience working in the sustainable energy industry with a focus on decentralised energy issues, and the role that cities can play in helping tackle climate change. He was worked in a diverse range of sectors and organisations on these issues from environmental NGOs to industry trade associations, and from regional Government, working with the Greater London Authority, to a secondment into central Government at the Department of Energy and Climate Change.

Syed is a Director of the All Party Parliamentary Renewable and Sustainable Energy Group (PRASEG), Chair or Repowering London, and was also appointed by the Mayor of London as a Commissioner of the London Sustainable Development Commission (LSDC). He has previously been a Trustee for National Energy Action (NEA), and Board Member of Solar Energy UK. In 2017 Syed helped establish Community Energy London, where he is currently the Chair, He was awarded an OBE for his work in 2022.