Employer: Orion Product Development Limited - Mechanical Engineering Design and Product Development Consultancy.

Course of Study: BEng(Hons) in Mechanical Engineering at Newcastle University

Current: Kevin has worked in process and product development roles at senior management level for most of his career, founding his own product development consultancy in 2007. He provides a diverse range of clients with tailored product development support, most recently in F1 and the marine energy industry.

Kevin is a Chartered Engineer with the IMechE, and spends his spare time travelling as much as possible with his wife, photographing wildlife, watching motorsport, or observing the skies in his self-built observatory at their home in North East England.

Apprenticeship: Technician Apprentice at Michell Bearings

Employer: Rolls-Royce Plc

Course of Study: BEng (Hons) Mechanical and Computer Aided Engineering, Sheffield Hallam University 2006-2010.

Current: Working as a Supplier Quality Manager in the Civil Aerospace function at Rolls-Royce, Derby. Previously worked as a Quality Manager for Winbro Group, with prior roles held as a Manufacturing Engineer and Six Sigma Black Belt for Siemens Industrial Turbomachinery Ltd. Chris's spare time is spent with his wife and two children as well as racing with his local cycling club.

Apprenticeship: Advanced Technical Apprenticeship, Siemens Industrial Turbomachinery Ltd, Lincoln.

Employer: Amplified Futures Ltd - Start-Up & Scale Up Business Advisor

Course of Study: MEng(Hons) in Mechanical Engineering at Cardiff University

Current: James has worked in the entrepreneurial space for nearly 20 years, having scaled five start-ups to-date (the largest to 50 people & £12m turnover). He has more recently put his engineering and systems oriented mind to helping others scale their business through his business coaching & online training programmes.

James spends his spare time travelling to the coastline of the UK and overseas with his wife and two boys, to enjoy surfing, kitesurfing & stand-up paddle boarding when not in his home city of Bristol.

Apprenticeship: Technician Apprentice at Honeywell

Employer: Munitor Engineering Services Limited - engineering and project management consultancy.

Course of Study: BEng(Hons) in Physical Electronic Engineering at University of Lancaster

Post Graduate Studies: PhD at Aston University, Birmingham - thesis entitled "Mechanisms for Triggering High-Voltage Breakdown in Vacuum".

Current: Working with UK innovators and Universities on multiple new proposals and projects. Brian is a Chartered Engineer and Chartered Physicist, and Fellow of the IET and the Institute of Physics.

Apprenticeship: Technician Apprentice at EEV Limited.

Employer: DAL-Finance - Management consultancy & Owner/Director of Ecolite - LED lighting designer, manufacturer and installer with guaranteed electrical savings

Course of Study: BEng(Hons) in Mechanical Engineering at University of Southampton

Post Graduate Studies: Engineering Doctorate - thesis entitled "Thermochemical hydrogen production from the sulphur-iodine cycle powered by solar or nuclear sources".
Executive MBA from Henley Business School - Management Challenge entitled "A Qualitative Investigation into the Financing of Energy Performance Contracts in the UK"

Apprenticeship: Toolmaker at Parker Pens Ltd and Technician Apprentice at BOC Edwards

Employer: GOM UK Ltd

Course of Study: Beng (Hons) Mechanical Engineering, Nottingham Trent University

Current: Lee is responsible for Business Development in the Aerospace sector for GOM globally. In previous roles he was a Metrologist within the Structures and Transmissions Aerospace division of Rolls-Royce Plc accountable for measurement, inspection and calibration activities in the Rolls-Royce factories and external supply chain. Lee has also carried out a number of Manufacturing Engineering roles at Rolls-Royce and Bentley Motors prior to specialising in the field of metrology. Lee has a wife and two children and enjoys spending his spare time with them as well as being a keen triathlete.

Apprenticeship: Technical Engineering Apprentice, Rolls-Royce Plc, Derby

Employer: University of Sheffield

Course of Study: MEng (Hons) Mechanical Engineering, Sheffield Hallam University.

Post Graduate Studies: PhD, Sheffield Hallam University

Current: I served a 4 year mechanical apprenticeship with Shell UK in their fine chemicals division, before embarking on a part-time mechanical engineering degree at Sheffield Hallam University. After graduating with 1st Class honours I went on to study a full time PhD which focused on developing a zero energy ventilation system. Upon completion in 2009 I was elected a Whitworth Senior Scholar and took up an academic post at Heriot-Watt University on their Dubai campus. In 2011 I returned to the University of Leeds as a Lecturer in Building Physics, then promoted to Associate Professor in 2013, and in 2015 I joined the University of Sheffield as a Reader in Energy where I currently lead a built environment research group focused on developing low energy technologies ranging from low energy residential heating systems to the Qatar 2022 world cup thermal comfort criteria.

Apprenticeship: Mechanical Engineering Apprentice at Shell UK

Employer: Drax Power Ltd

Course of Study: MEng (Hons) Mechanical Engineering, University of Sheffield.

Current: Working as an Shift Operations Technician at Drax Power Ltd. Previously worked as a Maintenance Engineer in various departments at Tata Steel, Scunthorpe. Scott is a Chartered Engineer with the IMechE. Scott's spare time is spent enjoying family life with his wife and two young boys as well as cycling and motorcycle trials riding.

Apprenticeship: Mechanical Engineering Apprentice at British Steel, Scunthorpe.

Employer: University of Birmingham

Course of Study: MEng (Hons) Mechanical Engineering, University of Birmingham

Post Graduate Studies: PhD (Tribology), University of Birmingham

Current: Lecturer, School of Mechanical Engineering, Principal research interests focus on mechanical design and tribology. Karl has published papers in journals and conference proceedings in multidisciplinary research areas that include engine and component lubrication and durability, the physical and chemical properties of fuels, the characterisation of polymer and polymer composite machine elements and the development of spinal implants. His research covers both fundamentals and industrial applications.

Apprenticeship: Technical engineering apprenticeship at Assa Abloy Ltd

Employer: Coventry University

Course of Study: BEng (Hons) Manufacturing and Business Studies.

Post Graduate Studies: PhD title "A methodology to link strategic quality requirements to operational activities in manufacturing"

Current: Associate Head of Engineering Management department, Principal lecturer in quality management, research topics include international students and PG studies; implementing ISO 9000 in educational institution; quality improvement methodologies. Gillian is a Chartered Engineer with the IET.

I spend my spare time with my family and friends; enjoying Pilates and Gardening.

Apprenticeship: Engineering Technician at Dunlop Aviation, Coventry

Employer: Springfields Fuels Ltd

Course of Study: MEng specialising in Electrical and Electronic Engineering, University of Cambridge.

Current: Working as a Six Sigma Blackbelt within a process improvement function at Springfields. David is a Chartered Engineer with the IET.

Apprenticeship: Electrician and Instrument Mechanic at British Nuclear Fuels Ltd (BNFL), Springfields Works.

Employer: QinetiQ Limited Malvern, Worcs

Course of Study: Double Engineering degree in UK and Germany - MEng(Hons) in Mechanical Engineering at University of Newcastle Upon Tyne + Dipl.-Ing(FH) Fachhochschule Osnabrueck Germany

Post Graduate Studies: Institute of Sales and Marketing Management Diploma in Strategic Sales + Legal training (LLDip Post Graduate Diploma in Legal Studies + Legal Practice Course at the College of Law)

Current: Following a project management and commercial role at Allen Gears, an Engineering Programme Lead role on Joint Strike Fighter at Rolls Royce, plus legal training part time during evenings and weekends, a move into the current Commercial Manager role at QinetiQ followed, where one of the main outputs is Intellectual Property - a great combination of engineering, law and business. Hobbies include piano, bricklaying (City and Guilds!!), teaching maths and music, travel, socialising, and most importantly competing with my horse.

Apprenticeship: Techncial apprenticeship at Allen Gears Ltd (a Rolls Royce company until 2008) - BTEC National Certificate, Higher National Certificate.

Engineering profession promotional activies: Young Enterprise (aimed at A level students), Engineer Ambassador (all school ages).

Employer: Doncasters Bramah

Course of Study: BEng (Hons) Automotive Engineering Design

Current: Lead Engineer manufacturing prototype exhaust casings for the Joint Strike Fighter Liftsystem. Hobbies include cycling, climbing, historic wargaming, brewing, song writing and a 1972 VW campervan.

Apprenticeship: Prototype Sheet Metal Worker at Park Sheet Metal Co Ltd, Coventry.

Employer: Cavendish Nuclear

Course of Study: MEng Mechanical Engineering - University of Leeds

Current: A Business and General Manager for Cavendish Nuclear with responsibility for a Design Office in West Cumbria. I enjoy swimming and cycling on a regular basis, training and coaching at Cockermouth Swimming Club.

Apprenticeship: Mechanical Technician with Davy McKee (now Jacobs), Stockton-on-Tees

Employer: Sony Semiconductor

Course of Study: B.Eng (Hons) Electronic Engineering

Post Graduate Studies: OU Technology Management - Operation Management (MBA Module)

Current: Leading an IC design team (hardware and software) located at several sites around the world. Application area is mobile TV. Married to Alyson. Hobbies include digital landscape photography, hill and coast walking, cycling and a keen interest in the history of technology, particularly domestic valve-based radio receivers.

Apprenticeship: Electronics Technician with Rediffusion Flight Simulation, Crawley.

Employer: Ioko365 Ltd - An IT Consultancy

Course of Study: Electrical and Electronic Engineering

Post Graduate Studies: OU Professional Diploma in Management Studies

Current: Busy with family life, two young children and a lovely wife. Hobbies include photography, travel and historic war novels.

Apprenticeship: GEC Avionics. Following this I moved to NatWest Bank and spent 10 years in IT culminating as a Programme Manager. Since then I have worked in Project and Programme Management for a number of consultancy companies.