Adastral Park
Careers & Education   >   British Science Week 2023   >   Meet the team
Meet the team
Photo of Abi
Abi (host): Here are profiles of people who created the content for this event.
Photo of Luke
Photo of Luke
Luke
STEM Engagement & Customer Showcases Research Manager, BT.
Key qualifications: BSc (Hons) in Digital Technology Solutions - Network Engineering.
What does your job involve? My role in Research is split into two. One half of that is presenting to customers across our range of technology showcases at Adastral Park, demonstrating new innovations that can help to solve their business problems or open up new opportunities. The other half of my role is in the Education team, working with teachers and organising/running events to help inspire the next generation through STEM-based activities.
How did you get into your current role? Initially I wanted to be a doctor, but after failing to get into medical school first time around I came to a BT Apprentice assessment centre to help with some interview practise. When I then got offered a role I was in a quandry. But my interest in tech won through and I've not looked back. Since joining I've had roles in physical and virtual network engineering, people management and Secure Platforms. I've met so many brilliant people and been able to do loads of cool things so I have no regrets at all.
What did you want to be when you were younger? A footballer, but sadly I wasn't a natural! I then moved onto thinking about accountancy and teaching before arriving at wanting to get into medicine.
What do you do outside work? I've got a season ticket at Norwich City football club which I enjoy going to with my Dad (only when we win!). Since completing couch to 5k a few years ago I've got into running but my real favourite recently has been road cycling with friends. We get to go to some cool places, eat lots and not feel guilty as you're burning it all off!
Photo of Shane
Photo of Shane
Shane
STEM Engagement & Customer Showcases Research Manager, BT.
Key qualifications: 1st Honours Degree in Digital Technology Solutions - Software Engineering, Foundation Degree Network Technologies.
What does your job involve? My role involves demonstrating amazing technology innovations, such as robots and holograms to some of BT's biggest customers. The other half of my role is in the Education team, working with teachers and organising/running events to help inspire the next generation through STEM-based activities.
How did you get into your current role? I started my career with BT as an apprentice working in the Network Operations Centre, helping to manage the UK's broadband connectivity. As a result, I won the National Apprenticeship Services' 'Apprentice of the Year' award in 2011. I then became an Apprentice Coach, mentoring the next generation of apprentices. In 2014 I moved into a new role working in BT TV, helping to manage the testing and build of software and hardware which ultimately gives our customers a great viewing experience at home. But my current job is the job I was made for and I absolutely love it!
What did you want to be when you were younger? I've wanted to be a fireman, an astronaut and an architect. After work experience at the BBC I thought I wanted to be a cameraman, but in the job I do now I find myself mostly in front of the camera instead!
What do you do outside work? I love exploring the world when I can, be that walking, climbing mountains or running marathons. I'm a huge fan of Marvel and Star Wars and I like being creative too, be that photo or video editing, drawing, building things out of clay (and Lego!).
Photo of Pam
Photo of Pam
Pam
Community Engagment, BT.
Key qualifications: BS(Hons) Computer Science.
What does your job involve? Inspiring the next generation and their teachers with interactive and engaging Face to Face and Virtual STEM enrichment.
How did you get into your current role? I spent a year on placement at BT Labs as part of my degree course which gave me a real insight into the exciting and diverse range of opportunities, so after completing my degree I applied for a full time role. I have worked on many different types of projects including the dialogue design for what is now known as 1571 and working with universities. How did I get my current role? I got a phone call from a senior BT person and was asked to find out all the things that BT does to support STEM education – I was given a week!
What did you want to be when you were younger? Occupational Therapist – I even secured a place for my training before at the last minute switching to studying a computer science degree.
What do you do outside work? Scouting, craft, and walking.
Photo of Carol
Photo of Carol
Carol
Head of Academic and Research Partnerships at BT.
Key qualifications: MSci degree in Natural Sciences, specialising in physics.
What does your job involve? I'm responsible for BT's research relationships with over 40 universities, so I get to see lots of the exciting work our partners are doing. I also work with schools to get students excited about STEM subjects and the sorts of rewarding careers they can lead to.
How did you get into your current role? I came to BT Adastral Park on a summer internship during my degree and liked it so much that I came back when I graduated! I've worked in a number of different roles, starting as a researcher looking at healthcare monitoring, then moving into roles involving the commercialisation of our research and management of our research programme.
What did you want to be when you were younger?I didn't have a plan, but I always liked maths, science, understanding how things worked and why they worked that way.
What do you do outside work? I love to read, walk my dog and I try to garden (I'm best at growing weeds though!).
Photo of Sarah
Photo of Sarah
Sarah
University Programme & Education, Research Strategy Specialist, BT.
Key qualifications: BTEC Business & Finance; many secretarial qualifications including shorthand!
What does your job involve? I work in BT's university and schools programme. I see my role as a "conduit" role! I enjoy listening to people's ideas and problems and then introducing them to key academia and industry partners who can solve those problems, or make things easier! The best thing is bringing people together and making the magic happen. The role also involves marketing and communications. I enjoy celebrating and communicating success stories from our university and schools & education programme, so that everyone gets to hear about the wonderful things we do. Spreading the word!
How did you get into your current role? I joined BT whilst studying to be a legal secretary – I was offered a job whilst working at Adastral Park during my summer holidays. The job meant I could continue my studies in business & finance plus earn money at the same time! I then worked my way up from a clerical assistant to a senior secretary then onto the management career ladder to where I am now. I've worked on interesting projects including time at MIT in the USA, a Global Round the World Yacht Race and organising the Suffolk Show presence for Adastral Park. I was offered the role in the university programme after having my first child – it was a part time role which worked perfectly as a new mum.
What did you want to be when you were younger? I had quite a few ideas - as long as I could keep my own horse! I was really interested in law and working in the London law courts, but I was also interested in joining the Police in their mounted or dog division. So a job where I could help people and use my organisational and communication skills.
What do you do outside work? Family takes up a lot of my time - I love the outdoors and enjoy family dog walks with our lovely dog called “Flapjack”! My children have got me into Marvel movies! I own a couple of horses – one who is now retired and one who is a young ex-racehorse. My favourite holiday was a trip to Canada and we all want to travel back there again very soon!
Photo of Penny
Photo of Penny
Penny
Business Support, BT.
Key qualifications: HNC in Business Studies.
What does your job involve? I provide business support to the Schools Enrichment Team and Innovation Martlesham tech cluster.
How did you get into your current role? I joined BT after A levels and have had many different support and personal assistant roles within BT since. I've been in my current role for 5 years.
What did you want to be when you were younger? Theatre Stage Manager.
What do you do outside work? I love the Theatre - particularly musicals and I have produced several local amateur shows. I also like gardening and walking my 2 dogs.
Photo of Kevin
Photo of Kevin
Kevin
Articulation and Concept Designer, BT.
Key qualifications: BSc Design and Tech Degree, CCNA level 4.
What does your job involve? I produce things like flyers, banners, animations and 3D mock-ups for any of the ongoing projects Research Accelerator has going. The best part is the animating, it's a skill I've picked up recently and by far the most rewarding.
How did you get into your current role? Out of university I was a designer for Micro Mart magazine as well as Xbox magazine, so it's something that I've always gravitated towards. But my role in BT…I became an Openreach engineer to get my foot in the door to BT, waiting for the right role.
What did you want to be when you were younger? Aerospace engineer.
What do you do outside work? I was very active doing MMA and going to the gym before I broke my foot and had a child. Fun fact, my favourite thing now is sleeping.
Back to homepage