Profile

I live on my own in Walsall in the West Midlands. I own a cat named Ginger who to be fair runs the place. I have a classic mini called Dottie who I spend more money than I should looking after. During the summer months she has taken me all round the country to different Mini fairs. I have moved around for my career within the UK finding different interesting problems to solve. I have a close circle of friends and the newest addition to that is my Godson Michael. I love DIY but hate glossing.

I am primarily a mechanical engineer but have recently moved into managing a small diverse team of engineers. We are responsible for the design and development of hardware and software solution for improving the treatment of skin cancer.

As a mechanical engineer I am responsible for ensuring the hardware of our systems is safe and is fit for purpose. This can involve calculations, the use of CAD or having conversations with people.

Through my role I have gained some experience with electrical engineering to better understand the restrictions electrical can have on a mechanical design.

Managing has been an interesting new horizon where learning about other people, how they work best and ensuring they can achieve their potential. As this is quite a new endeavour I am still learning.

My day is split between project work and maintaining product.

Project work is mainly planned work which is based heavily on the next new innovation to maintain our market edge and continue to supply systems which not only help treat skin cancer but also improved the customer experience, where the customer for me is both the user of our systems as well as the patient undergoing treatment.

Maintaining product can be a little more unpredictable and exciting. This is mainly down to dealing with people other than engineers. I do not recall a week where I haven’t been asked for a thingamajig which is able to do something completely wacky. This could be a user wanting something special on their system which no one has ever asked for before or our sales team asking for variations on items we have done a million times. It is my job to risk assess and come up with viable solutions which meet both the need of the customer as well and as the quality the company portrays

A picture can say a thousand words and making and doing paints a thousand pictures. During my time as a STEM ambassador I have noticed a positive trend between engagement and stuff to play with. With the money I would use it to put together some “stuff to do” resources. Building and making both increases creativity as well and team building and communication.

So I would use the money to put together a kit of parts which I could take into schools to engage students in solving problems together.