As a boy, my grandfather took me to an air show where I saw the Avro Vulcan conduct a fly over. To me it was like watching something from out of space and the iconic ‘howl’ as the delta wing flew over where we stood was to define the direction of my life. I remember my grandfather stating that when I grew up, he thought that my wish would be to fly that one day to which I responded, “no, I want to be the person who could design and make it”.
Whilst I never became an aircraft designer, it defined my ambitions and a career in engineering was to follow. 
Following a traditional career path
Upon leaving school I joined the British Steel Corporation, Cookley Works as an apprentice tool maker where I was trained in the design and manufacture of stamping dies for the manufacture of electrical laminations for electric motors, and transformers. Like many others in my peer group, I went to night school where I achieved City and Guilds, TEC and HTEC in Mechanical and Production Engineering.
Upon completion of a four-year apprenticeship, I then went to Bradford University to study Industrial Technology and Management where I obtained a BSc(hons). I chose this course of study as it was ground-breaking at the time in that it offered a mixture of traditional engineering (mechanical and electrical) study, materials science (Metallurgy and Polymers), and management (which included management accountancy, economics, and industrial and trade union relations) which was to prepare me well for future career aspirations and opportunities.
The degree programme was a four year ‘sandwich’ structure and during the industrial placements I returned to British Steel where I worked as a Die Designer during the first placement, and a Mechanical Project Engineer during the second placement. During these periods I designed many press tools (progression and combination) and in the latter placement, worked with project teams installing coil process lines.
There then followed a period where I worked as a Control Engineer for British Steel Tubes division where I delivered various projects for welded tube manufacturing and process lines, and tube forgings and fittings.
In the mid 1980’s I joined a Contracting Company which designed, manufactured, and commissioned automotive stamping dies for all body and white parts and assemblies. The company had been started in 1969 by my father, so I guess it was always going to be my ultimate direction, and I became the engineering and technical director, whilst my younger brother soon joined me as commercial director. The customer base included General Motors, Ford, Jaguar, Land Rover (they were separate companies at the time), Saturn, Honda, Nissan, Toyota, and most of their tier one suppliers.
Unfortunately, the company fell to a deep recession and sector re-organisation in 2006, and due to a significant health issue resulting in not being able to work, I used the time constructively, getting an MSc in Engineering Management from Aston University, followed by a PhD in Integrated Vehicle Health Management introduction strategies for high value complex engineering products from Cranfield University.
There then followed three years as a research fellow and project manager at Cranfield University where I delivered several Through-life Engineering Services Projects, and published several peer reviewed journal and conference papers
Today, I am Head of Quality for Nuvia UK, a company which delivers engineering projects and services for the UK Civil and Military Nuclear Sectors.
Volunteering and Networking
I have been an active member of the IET for many years, first joining the Institution of Production Engineers, which became the ITEME, and which eventually merged with the IET. I serve on the Project Controls Network where I am the current Chair.
In addition, I am also a fellow of the Chartered Quality Institute and a registered Chartered Quality Professional. As part of my engagement with this institution I represent my employer as a Corporate Partner acting as Nuvia’s ‘voice’, and I also serve on the CQI Nuclear Special Interest Group working with the team to deliver Quality related projects and thought leadership to the sector.
I have also served as a School Governor over my career at several schools both at Primary and Secondary level working as an ambassador for STEM subjects.
Encouraging future engineers - Career Advice
I have been in schools and spoken to pupils asking how does engineering affect your life. Having selected a pupil I then go onto demonstrate that engineering affects everyone’s life by pointing out:
- Who makes the clothes you wear?
- How did you come to school [transport]?
- Who makes the medicines we take?
- Who makes the equipment that surgeons, doctors, firemen etc use?
- The building is in fact a machine – think about its services?
The final piece of advice I always offer is…..”Embrace each challenge. Keep your options open and acquire transferable skills. Remember that in challenge and failure there is great value and learn from it”.
Book Ending My Career – But not quite ready to finish yet!
In 2015 my partner purchased a ticket for us to go to see the Shuttleworth Collection at the Old Warden Aerodrome in Bedfordshire. Whilst there I saw the Vulcan fly on its “Farewell to Flight” season. It brought back memories of a 10 year old boy and even produced a tear in my eye!
