The chemical engineering training that I received at the University has given me a more rounded and multi-disciplinary approach.

I was unable to get a job in my chosen field of Industrial Microbiology and did a number of temporary jobs, until I enrolled on a government scheme to introduce graduates into small companies. I worked on a BS5750 quality system for a Sheffield company called Panel Systems Ltd. They employed me full time after completion of my three-month project to help the company obtain BS5750 accreditation for their sandwich panel manufacturing operation. After seven years and retraining in quality systems I needed a new challenge, and began working in chemical cleaning and descaling, particularly Legionella control.

This lead to a job as a chemist with Cleanaway Ltd, who were the market leader in technical waste management. After seven years I began building and operating a chemical treatment plant for Parkwood Group, a local waste management company. They were taken over by Viridor Waste Management Ltd in 2003, and I now have a national role in organic treatment environmental compliance, which I really enjoy.

My current role with Freeland Horticulture allows lots of opportunities to look at new challenges in applying state of the art biological knowledge in the recovery of waste materials within a circular economy. I’m working on Black Soldier Fly (Hermetia illucens), methylotroph bio-chelates for rare earth metal recovery and peat-free growth media use in urban greening.

What is the best thing about your current role?

I have great freedom to follow my own path with daily guidance from my managing director, who takes a real interest in R&D. It is great to meet and discuss ideas with academics in a range of disciplines. It is really hands-on, and it is great to do real applied research.

What made you interested in your current role?

I’m at the end of my career, and I wanted to do something that might have an impact on the mess we are all in. Small companies are more able to response to external changes and can change at a blink of an eye. I feel like I’m using my knowledge in a way that is likely to result in the best outcome for Freeland and me.

How has your career developed since graduating from the University?

I didn’t have much success getting a job after completing the MSc, so I opted to do a PhD in wastewater treatment, and it was a project with industrial sponsorship from Thames Water.

Though not initially helpful in finding a job, it has served me well over the years, because I understood chemical engineering principles. My time on the PhD made me a stronger person and more able to deal with failure in the context of new ideas and experimental trails. This tough mental attitude has served me well.