My Story
My Story
From a very young age, my world revolved around anything that moved. Growing up, my room was a mini showroom, with matchbox cars lined up neatly and books about cars, motorcycles, and trains stacked high. My fascination wasn’t just passive; it was a hands-on obsession, which was evident in how I spent hours each day building elaborate vehicles and structures from LEGO. This was more than play; it was a prelude to a life driven by creation and innovation.
Despite my clear interests, high school was a challenge. The traditional classroom setting felt restrictive, and I often found myself disengaged and bored, except in science and music. These subjects, in which I could explore, experiment, and express myself, were my academic lifelines. Outside school, my true education continued – I learned to drive at a young age (on private land), became a regular at local go-kart tracks, and as soon as I turned 17, I passed my driving test and explored every road I could.
After high school, I pursued a path that seemed a natural fit – bench joinery. I apprenticed at a local workshop, learning to one day master the craft of creating windows, doors, and staircases. However, just as I was beginning to shape my future, fate intervened dramatically. A sudden seizure while driving led to a car accident, thankfully without physical injuries, but the incident had profound repercussions. My driving license was revoked, and with it, my apprenticeship and future in joinery came to an abrupt halt due to my new diagnosis: epilepsy.
Faced with the possibility of never driving again or being able to use power tools, I had to rethink my career path. Remembering my high school interest in science, I turned towards engineering, a field that promised a new kind of creation and problem-solving. Without the conventional qualifications for university, I enrolled in an access course at the University of Bolton, where I discovered a passion for electronics. This new passion felt like a continuation of my childhood days of assembling and understanding the mechanics of LEGO creations. I studied Electronic & Computer Engineering at HND level, passing the course with distinction and winning a prize for outstanding academic achievement. I continued on to complete my Bachelor of Engineering and graduated with first-class honours.
My journey took another positive turn when the medication for my epilepsy stabilized my condition so well that I regained my driving license. The freedom to drive once more was exhilarating and transformative. Not only did I return to the roads, but I also completed the Direct Access Scheme and earn my full motorcycle license, further embracing my love for vehicles.
Since then, every car and motorcycle I’ve owned has undergone personal modifications. Each vehicle is a project, a challenge, and a testament to my never-give-up attitude and my love for making things unique. Whether adding a bespoke sound system or a one-off exhaust, the joy of knowing my vehicle is like no other is incomparable.
Today, as an electronic engineer, I apply the same principles of innovation and customization that I loved as a child and as a craftsman. I have had the great fortune to work on many exciting commercial projects, such as the smallest PTZ (Pan-Tilt-Zoom) camera in the world (no doubt there is a smaller one out now!), Counter-UAS (Unmanned Aerial Systems) products which are deployed around the world protecting critical infrastructure, and a ship-to-ship lifting system which has made offshore lifting safer and more efficient. I have also worked on many UK and EU grant-funded research projects in collaboration with partners including the police, fire brigade and the NHS.
I have maintained a keen interest in making and modifying things outside of work. Due to the nature of my career, I have generally steered away from projects involving complex electronics so that I can concentrate on developing my skills in other areas, widening my knowledge. Over the years I have worked on a variety of projects and have learned how to work with plastic, metal and fibreglass in addition to wood. I have become proficient in FDM 3D printing and have gained a basic qualification in TIG welding.
I took a leap of faith in 2023 and founded my own company, Apricot Electronics Limited. After 20+ years of experience on the tools, combined with the knowledge acquired from my university degrees, 10+ years of professional engineering experience and many hands-on special interests (including AC/DC TIG welding and 3D printing), I felt it was time to put my skills to the ultimate test and make something truly special.
My journey has been unconventional but driven by a consistent thread – my love for vehicles, making things, solving problems, and overcoming adversity. Life, much like engineering, is about finding solutions and pushing forward, no matter the obstacles in the road.
My Experience
2023-Present
Apricot Electronics Ltd
Founder / CTO
Apricot Electronics provides consultancy and design services to help you get your embedded hardware off the ground quickly and painlessly. From initial feasibility studies to final design reviews and every step in between, Apricot Electronics can help you make your idea a reality.
2015-2023
Rinicom Ltd
R&D Engineer, Principal Electronics Engineer
My work included the requirements analysis, system specification, and electronic hardware design and testing of both grant-funded and commercial projects in the Security and Medical sectors. I have worked at all levels, from crimping connectors and soldering components to EMC and CE testing.
2014-2015
RNC Avionics Ltd
Electronics Design Engineer
I was a part of an amazing design team that worked to design surveillance equipment for applications including border control, body-worn, Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) and Unmanned Ground Vehicles (UGV).
2011-2012
Rota Engineering Ltd
Electronics Design Engineer
I was involved in the improvement of Rota Engineering's hall effect linear transducers. I gained valuable experience testing prototype products with environmental chambers, and designing electronics that required ATEX certification.
My Education
2012-2013
Lancaster University
Master's Degree: MSc Microelectronics & System-on-Chip Engineering
2009-2011
University of Bolton
Batchelor's Degree: BEng(Hons) Electronic & Computer Engineering
Grade: First Class with Honours
2007-2009
University of Bolton
BTEC Higher National Diploma: HND Electronic & Computer Engineering
2021
Advanced Rework Technology Ltd
IPC CID (Certified Interconnect Designer, Basic)
2018
Lancaster & Morecambe College
Level 1 Award, Welding Skills - TIG
City & Guilds 3268-12
2003-2005
Lancaster & Morecambe College
Intermediate Construction Award, Wood Occupations - Bench Joinery
City & Guilds 6313-02 | Grade: Distinction