Summary
I joined the Department of Mechanical Engineering in 2003, originally to support the teaching of design & manufacture, and then to also manage the workshops & technical services.
After graduating from Surrey University in 1985 with a 1st Class BSc Hons in Mech Eng my first employment was as a Rehabilitation Engineer working on the design of mobility and therapy aids for profoundly impaired adults and children at The Royal Hospital for Neuro-Disability in Putney. I left the hospital in 1989 to join Redland Engineering, which was part of the Redland international building products company. During my 12 years at Redland I moved from design, to installation and finally into Manufacturing where I became a Director. Redland was bought out in 1998 and the Engineering business was dissolved soon after. I spent the next 3 years as Operations Manager for an SME sub-contract manufacturing company specialising in the sectors of aerospace and motor-sport. The industrial experience I gained from these last 2 companies has equipped me in the leadership & delivery of undergraduate courses.
In 2017 I went part-time and since 2021 only teach one module, the 3rd/4th year optional Manufacturing Technology & Management module.
My special interest is the tools and techniques of the Lean philosophy. These methods are now widespread in all areas of business process development: technical, financial & administrative. I cover Lean in my 2nd term of my module and take great pleasure in teaching the Lean tools students will encounter in their future employment.