Paul

Qualifications

• Technician Education Council (TEC) and Higher TEC (HTEC) in Electrical/Electronic/Telecommunications Engineering
• B.Sc. (Hons) in Electronic Engineering from the University of York 
• M.Sc. in Telecommunications and Information Systems from the University of Essex - Distinction for Dissertation on Coding for optical fibre systems
• Executive Leadership programmes and Short MBA at London Business School and IMD (Lausanne)
• International Coaching Federation (ICF) Certified Coach (ACC)
• Chartered Engineer (CEng)
• Fellow of the Institute of Engineering and Technology (FIET)
• Fellow of the British Computer Society (FBCS) - the Chartered Institute for IT   
• University of Life - Ongoing…

Length of time in engineering

I started my wonderful Engineering journey as an Apprentice leading to working at Satellite Systems used for Presidential Summits and Royal Weddings, the first transatlantic optical fibre submarine cable and introducing internet, broadband and wireless services to the UK and globally.

Academic knowledge and key skills important to your role

Coding, Agile, Cybersecurity, Design Thinking, Leadership, Business, Finance, Coaching (Psychology)

A great Engineer should have a positive mindset, a curious mind-committed to continuing to learn plus a commitment to global stakeholders we serve and sharing best practice with the global engineering community.   

What inspired you to pursue a career in engineering

A desire to understand the world around me plus make it better for this and future generations.

My favourite part of my job now is Advising/Coaching/Mentoring Engineering entrepreneurs, leaders and companies who are making a difference delivering for example better patient outcomes with innovative and secure HealthTech, FoodTech and LifeSciences solutions.

Project that you are proud of

Bringing the Internet and first broadband services to the UK with the first Transatlantic and Cross-channel Submarine Optical Fibre Cables.

Creating and getting International agreement for digital transmission standards

Sharing thought leadership with keynote addresses on engineering innovation and entrepreneurship in Kuala Lumpur, Mexico, Honolulu, Mauritius, New Delhi, Bali, Sydney, Cape Town, Cairo, UN HQ in New York, and all across Europe.

Typical week

Working with exceptional start-ups, scaleup teams and leaders to develop strategic plans, bring on new customers, partners and people, motivate teams - for example bringing new beautiful, sustainable plant-based meals for people with specific nutritional needs.

Other teams you work with

Sales, Marketing, PR, Finance and Legal to get Engineering Innovation(s) to market ASAP and in use to improve people’s lives. Growth Funding/Capital Teams - Grant bodies, Angels, Venture Capital, Private Equity. Government and regulators to enable safe, secure engineering innovations. Professional bodies to share knowledge, best practice and continue to learn to be the best I can be. 

What have been the biggest changes in the engineering

Optical fibre, Internet, 1G-5G Mobile devices, Integrated Circuits continuing to follow Moore’s Law; putting a person on the Moon with 1970’s, Covid-19 Vaccines, AI, Machine Learning.

The biggest challenges in the sector

Climate Change, Cybersecurity, Aligning multi-disciplinary global teams. 

Predictions for 50 years time

• A more diverse and inclusive Engineering industry and mutual support of the Arts (STEAM).
• Plasma reactors operating globally.
• Green, Driverless Mass transportation.  
• Robots doing vital but dangerous/mundane work.
• Brain controlled Iron Man exoskeletons.
• Personalised healthcare including food/nutritional need based on individual DNA.
• Quantum computing underpinning massive speed increases in computing.