Where are you from? I originally come from Kettering in Northamptonshire, but have lived in Birmingham since 1973.
Education: I went to Kettering Grammar School, which at the time was famous for tracking Russian satellites. This inspired me to study for a BSc in Physics at Liverpool University.
Career: I started as a computer programmer at British Gas in the days when one computer filled several rooms. I distinctly remember the awe at our new disk drive the size of a filing cabinet that could store 60Mb of data! I worked my way up the hierarchy, and finally took redundancy with the demise of the regional HQs in 1997. I’ve been contracting as a Delivery/Project Manager since then, most recently working on a Smart Metering project at National Grid.
Interests: Anything technical or land speed related: technical AND land speed related is a bonus!
A surprising fact that others may not know! I once took part in a rally with 3 friends and drove from Nordkapp (northernmost point of Europe) to Terifa (southernmost point) in just over 60 hours, keeping within speed limits at all times … and in a Skoda! I did manage to get it to about 120mph on the autobahn though, which was a bit hairy!
What do you do on the project? I am Web Manager, which means I have editorial control of the website, acting as a focal point for the team and working with our friends at ETB (The Engineering and Technology Board) who actually do the changes.
How did you get involved? I was part of the ThrustSSC team, helping out with the website and the Mach 1 Club, and have been involved with various land speed projects since then. I am webmaster for richard-noble.com, as well as the Speed Record Club and the Bluebird Supporters Club. I was between contracts (real work, that is!) when Richard asked me to join the team in January 09 – a dream job and an opportunity I couldn’t turn down!
What have you learned from the project? Richard Noble’s management style hasn’t changed!
