BSc (Hons) Engineering Science 1979 From Aberdeen to Steering Global Energy Transformation
Your Time at Aberdeen
Why did you choose to study at Aberdeen? Aberdeen had an excellent reputation for engineering.
Why did you choose your particular course? The course was flexible, gave you exposure to many different engineering disciplines in the first two years, and you could choose your specialist subjects in years 3 and 4. I specialised in Power Electronics.
What did you most enjoy about your time at Aberdeen? Did you have any particularly memorable student experiences? The City of Aberdeen was a fantastic venue and Old Aberdeen has significant character. The student life in Aberdeen was such that trips home became a rare event. Your family became those you lived and studied with.
If you were involved in any clubs and societies as a student, what did you enjoy most about them and what benefit do you think they have for students? The Engineering Society was very active, fund raised, undertook challenges and most importantly, it was great fun.
If talking to a group of prospective students, what advice would you give them to help them make the most of their time at the University of Aberdeen? Embrace yourself in the City and student life. Jump in with both feet and get involved in whatever interests you. Study hard, play hard and have fun.
Your Time After Aberdeen
What was your first job after graduating from Aberdeen? I was an Engineering Assistant, Operations Networks with North of Scotland Hydro Electric Board (now SSE). I was working on the electricity network, fault finding and repairs, extending the network (Aberdeen was booming in the 1980s), calculating network capacity, supervising teams and being out and about on the network.
What is your current job? I have five roles! I’m Board Chairman and Non-Executive Director with United Kingdom National Nuclear Laboratory, NG Bailey Group, Anglian Water, Hitachi Europe, and Imperial College London, supporting and governing their executive management teams. I’m home based in Edinburgh but travel all over the country.
Please briefly describe the journey from your first job after graduating to where you are now I loved engineering (still do) and loved working with people. I worked my way through engineering roles in organisations then, realising that I wanted to work with people, moved into management in engineering companies. I've travelled the world, experiencing many different cultures, and that body of experience has allowed me to work with the businesses I currently work with.
Was your degree at Aberdeen essential for getting to where you are now? If so, in what way? Aberdeen was the foundation. Without that, I could not have built the career I have had. Unless you pursue an academic career, it is likely that the topics you study at university will have a finite shelf life. That’s not important - what is, is that what you learn and how you learn it, gives you the knowledge and skills to develop your career.
Have you been involved with the University since your graduation, e.g. guest speaker, ambassador or mentor? I’ve been involved with class reunions.
One Top Tip
Please share your one top tip that you think is most important for our current students or recent graduates that will help them when starting out on their career paths. The answer is yes. Now what was the question? Just do it, you will be amazed at what you are capable of.
