Profile
Brian Buckman
Curriculum Vitae
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Education:
My Infant & Primary schools were in Red Lion Road, Tolworth, My Secondary School was Southborough Secondary Modern. After leaving school I did Block Release and evening classes at Wimbledon Technical College, followed by a Sandwich course at City University, London
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Qualifications:
5 ‘O’ levels: Maths, Technical Drawing, Physics, Biology, Geography, English. C&G Elementary Telecoms Practice, ONC Electrical Engineering, BSc(Hons) Electrical & Electronic Engineering
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Work History:
1. GPO (General Post Office) Trainee Telecoms Apprentice (TTA), GPO Technician IIA, British Telecom Executive Engineer, BBC Telephone Systems Engineer, ICL Project Manager, ICL Senior Project Manager, Harris DTC Sales Support Manager, Butler Cox & Partners Consultant, Freelance Telecoms Project Manager, Director of Flow-Line Communications (own company), Freelance Project Manager
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Current Job:
Freelance Project Manager, specialising in the provision of telecommunications services to remote locations, especially in Africa.
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Employer:
I now work for myself. I sell my services to various large companies who need the services I can provide
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About Me
My first job was as a telephone engineering apprentice, but both technology and I have moved on. I am now a freelance project manager working on satellite communications projects. I am married and work from home in the East Midlands. I have no intention of retiring, the work keeps me young
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My Work
I help build systems to provide the Internet to people in very out of the way places; often in Africa
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My Typical Day: I am lucky, I work from home. No long journey to work; just a short walk across the garden to my office in the garage. I work with people in many countries, so I send a lot of emails, make a lot of phone calls, and use Zoom. I also use apps such as WhatsApp, and Twitter. I have no fixed work hours, I have to fit in with my colleagues and clients. Some days I work 8 o'clock to 5 o'clock. But sometimes I have to get up at 2 o'clock in the morning to have a conference call with a client.
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My Interview
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How would you describe yourself in 3 words?
Experienced, Problem-solver, Comedian
What's the best thing you've done in your career?
Provided telephone service to very rural parts of the Sudan
What or who inspired you to follow your career?
My father
What was your favourite subject at school?
Physics
What did you want to be after you left school?
Telephone engineer
Were you ever in trouble at school?
I got into trouble a few times, but I rarely got caught
If you weren't doing this job, what would you choose instead?
Actor
Who is your favourite singer or band?
Sandy Denny
What's your favourite food?
Steak & Kidney Pudding
What is the most fun thing you've done?
Water skying in Greece; I was awful
If you had 3 wishes for yourself what would they be? - be honest!
To be less of a perfectionist - To get more hobbies - To enjoy myself more
Tell us a joke.
Not a joke, but a very relevant quote: "For every problem, there is a solution that is simple, direct, and WRONG!
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