I coordinate a team of engineers and scientists to develop the next generation of Ceres Power's world-leading Solid Oxide Fuel Cell and Solid Oxide Electrolysis Cell technology. As Research Fellow I have considerable freedom to initiate R&D projects where I think useful improvements to the technology could be achieved.

What is the best thing about what you are doing now?

I have been instrumental in the development of Ceres Technology since the very beginning of the company when it was a tiny spinout from Imperial College London 20 years ago. Thanks to a combination of the outstanding technology we have developed and the urgent need to reduce CO2 emissions, the technology is now being commercialised at a large scale and the company is now a multibillion-pound enterprise. Whilst there is always room for improvement (hence my day-to-day work), that comes with a considerable sense of achievement.

How did your time at University help you start your career?

The technical content of my degree was a key enabler for the series of career steps leading to my current role.

What made you interested in your current role?

I have been passionate about climate change issues long before it was fashionable, and always wanted to do something in the energy industry to reduce emissions. I also have a real passion for research, and my current role enables me to do both.

How has your career developed since graduating from the University of Birmingham?

I graduated from Birmingham in 1997 and went on to do a PhD in electrochemical engineering at Imperial College London. Largely by chance, I started working on solid oxide fuel cell technology at ALSTOM in Stafford, who then had a corporate research project on it. After a couple of years, one of my PhD supervisors at Imperial set up a spinout to develop some novel SOFC technology, which I moved to join. I have been pretty much instrumental in the development of that technology from a non-functional (it turned out after I joined!) lab prototype to today's volume production by household-name companies, so I never left and have had a series of senior technical roles ever since. I'm now also a Fellow of the IChemE and do some voluntary work for the institution.

What motivates you?

On both a personal and professional level, I believe passionately in the development of a fairer and more sustainable economy. I also drive steam trains in my spare time....