Scottish Engineering Mentoring Programme
Mentoring can inspire, support, and motivate people to realise their potential and achieve their dreams. In our careers, as in life in general, we can sometimes reach that point where we are unsure of how to progress, or maybe we are just looking for that “spark” to help move us to the next stage in our personal development. This is where mentors come in.
A mentor helps accelerate growth by providing unique perspectives, advice, and encouragement. By reflecting on their own experiences, they can help their mentee avoid the same mistakes they have made and provide the confidence and courage to explore new ideas and ways of working.
Our Mentoring Programme is open once again for new candidates looking for support in building their careers. Our inclusive programme is open to all, whether in technical/engineering roles or key support functions; whether apprentices, technicians, experienced professionals, or managers. This Programme is included through Membership, so there’s no additional cost to Member companies. All of our mentors are recently retired/semi-retired senior professionals from the engineering and manufacturing industry, and all boast a wealth of experience in professional engineering, project management, and leadership roles. The Mentors work on a volunteer basis and are extremely passionate about transferring their knowledge and experience to the next generation of professionals.
Meet Our Mentors
harlie brings extensive international senior executive experience across major industrial sectors with a primary focus on Aerospace and Defense. Charlie has a MBA from the University of the West of Scotland and has been leading, and restructuring businesses in the Aerospace & Defence sector for over 43 years through a variety of senior leadership roles with, among others, Airbus, BAE Systems, Goodrich / UTC, GKN and Esterline Technologies. Most recently Charlie served as CEO of a technology start-up engaged in developing a wireless Li-ion BMS and before that as President of Esterline’s Advanced Sensors business with manufacturing and aftermarket service facilities in France, UK, Asia, USA, and Mexico. Charlie’s experience ranges from Manufacturing Engineering, Operations, General Management, Program Management, Business and Product Development, Commercial / Contracts, Aftermarket Spares & MRO, and Lean / Continuous Improvement. Since 2018, Charlie has been supporting the Aerospace & Defence sector in an advisory capacity. ...
Charlie Johnston
harlie brings extensive international senior executive experience across major industrial sectors with a primary focus on Aerospace and Defense. Charlie has a MBA from the University of the West of Scotland and has been leading, and restructuring businesses in the Aerospace & Defence sector for over 43 years through a variety of senior leadership roles with, among others, Airbus, BAE Systems, Goodrich / UTC, GKN and Esterline Technologies. Most recently Charlie served as CEO of a technology start-up engaged in developing a wireless Li-ion BMS and before that as President of Esterline’s Advanced Sensors business with manufacturing and aftermarket service facilities in France, UK, Asia, USA, and Mexico. Charlie’s experience ranges from Manufacturing Engineering, Operations, General Management, Program Management, Business and Product Development, Commercial / Contracts, Aftermarket Spares & MRO, and Lean / Continuous Improvement. Since 2018, Charlie has been supporting the Aerospace & Defence sector in an advisory capacity.
Gordon Black. Gordon spent 27 years working for British Telecom in and around London, in roles covering: product management, international marketing, bid management, sales and business development for BT’s Corporate Incubator. Upon returning to Scotland in 2008 he co-founded babyHydro, created to provide design and development service in hydropower to landowners across Scotland. In 2015 he started a second company, Learning Hydro, to provide training services on hydropower in the UK and around the globe. Gordon is a passionate STEM Ambassador and mentor with MCR Pathways. Gordon grew up in East Kilbride and now lives in Largs....
Gordon Black
Gordon Black. Gordon spent 27 years working for British Telecom in and around London, in roles covering: product management, international marketing, bid management, sales and business development for BT’s Corporate Incubator. Upon returning to Scotland in 2008 he co-founded babyHydro, created to provide design and development service in hydropower to landowners across Scotland. In 2015 he started a second company, Learning Hydro, to provide training services on hydropower in the UK and around the globe. Gordon is a passionate STEM Ambassador and mentor with MCR Pathways. Gordon grew up in East Kilbride and now lives in Largs.
Prior to his retirement, Brian had 35+ years within the electric power industry. During this time Brian gained experience across the full spectrum of the industry inclusive of engineering, sales & marketing, business development, construction & project management, and consultancy. Beginning his career as a project engineer with James Howden in Glasgow, Brian had spells with John Brown Engineering Ltd (Glasgow), Stone & Webster Engineering Consultancy Ltd. (Milton Keynes), and ended his full-time career as Head of Projects for Scottish Power’s electrical network business. Following on from this Brian took up project management consultancy within the petrochemical sector at Grangemouth and the off-shore wind power industry in Scotland. Throughout his career, Brian worked on projects in many different parts of the world including Japan, China, Malaysia, India, the USA, and Australia. Brian was born in Glasgow and is married with a grown-up son and is currently living in Paisley. His interests are football, travel, cooking, and skiing. ...
Brian McNaught
Prior to his retirement, Brian had 35+ years within the electric power industry. During this time Brian gained experience across the full spectrum of the industry inclusive of engineering, sales & marketing, business development, construction & project management, and consultancy. Beginning his career as a project engineer with James Howden in Glasgow, Brian had spells with John Brown Engineering Ltd (Glasgow), Stone & Webster Engineering Consultancy Ltd. (Milton Keynes), and ended his full-time career as Head of Projects for Scottish Power’s electrical network business. Following on from this Brian took up project management consultancy within the petrochemical sector at Grangemouth and the off-shore wind power industry in Scotland. Throughout his career, Brian worked on projects in many different parts of the world including Japan, China, Malaysia, India, the USA, and Australia. Brian was born in Glasgow and is married with a grown-up son and is currently living in Paisley. His interests are football, travel, cooking, and skiing.
