Leading Lights
Leading Lights is an inspiring new exhibition of portraits by award-winning photographer Richard Cannon. It showcases 19 STEM Ambassadors from all over the UK who are using science, technology, engineering and maths to push the boundaries of what is possible and to make the world a better and more exciting place to live.
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Graham Gannon is certainly not your average scientist – he did a degree in Business Management at the University of East Anglia in Norwich, but had been fascinated with computers since he was a child. While at university he teamed up with a computer science student to start Lime Websites – a web design business which provides companies with content management and e-commerce systems, so that their products can be sold on the internet.
Graham loves the problem solving aspects of his job – he also enjoys working in local schools in Norfolk as an Ambassador. “The young people I visit in schools have some fantastic ideas – we run brainstorming sessions with them on some of the real-life technical problems we face as web designers. I like to show them that science, creativity and enterprise can, and should, go together.”
Graham is pictured with a section of binary code. Binary code is the underlying mathematical structure that represents everything in computing.
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Rachel Gerrard is a civil engineer working in flood risk management. Working for the Environment Agency in Cumbria, Rachel is involved in the development of new flood alleviation schemes within the area. In addition, Rachel is part of a round-the-clock team that monitors, warns of and responds to potential flood risks.
Flooding has become a greater threat to people and property across the UK in recent years and with rainfall patterns changing and rain intensity increasing, flood protection measures play a vital part in the safeguarding of homes and lives.
Rachel was investigating a flood alleviation scheme prior to Carlisle being flooded in 2005. This is now nearing completion, and will greatly reduce the future risk of flooding to the city. Her innovative work ensures that, despite increased rainfall, Cumbria’s flood defences can cope.
Rachel is pictured in the River Eden in Cumbria.
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John Gray is a specialist engineer for the BBC where he plays a crucial role in making sure that the programme production system used by local radio stations across England is working properly. John was at university studying for a degree in Computational Physics when he first worked for the BBC during the summer vacation.
Problem solving is one of the reasons John loves his job. He relishes the challenge of identifying faults and working out how to tackle them. His job is fast-paced, time critical and never the same from one day to the next. John’s next challenge is to implement new systems that will help to combine television, radio and online production as part of the Digital switchover. John says “One of the best parts of my job is being able to improve the quality of service to the public, so I’m thrilled to be able to help the BBC do this.”
John is pictured at a transmission site in the Midlands.
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Niamh Hyslop is a business analyst for British Telecom where she works on internal business improvement and transformation. Although her first degree was in Law, Niamh was attracted to the fast-paced nature of the technology industry and decided to do a Masters in Computing.
Niamh works in business improvement, where she identifies how the company can do things better, simpler and faster in order to improve BT’s service to its customers.
Talking about her work as a STEM Ambassador, Niamh says: “I want to inspire young people to think about working in technology. It is a fantastic area to work in as I never do the same thing from one day to another.”
Niamh is pictured at the BT Showcase, where the company demonstrates its information and communications technology solutions to potential customers.
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Oliver King is a senior consultant at Faber Maunsell|AECOM, an energy efficiency consultancy. He works in the Sustainable Development Group, and helps organisations become greener and save money.
Oliver studied Earth Sciences at university, and went on to do a Masters in Advanced Environmental & Energy Studies within Buildings. Oliver now works to improve the energy efficiency of all types of buildings, from modern office blocks to ancient cathedrals. He and his team look at how energy is used through lighting, heating and computers, and develop strategies to reduce this.
Oliver is passionate about his role as a STEM Ambassador: “I think I can make a difference and help young people begin to think about what sort of thing they want to do.”
Oliver is pictured with an energy saving lightbulb at Southwark Cathedral, where he has been working to reduce the building’s carbon footprint.
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Graham Gannon
Managing Director, Lime Websites Limited
Rachel Gerrard
Civil Engineer, Environment Agency
John Gray
Specialist Engineer, BBC
Niamh Hyslop
Business Analyst, British Telecom
Oliver King
Senior Consultant, Faber Maunsell|AECOM
