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
Alister has almost 40 years’ experience as an enthusiastic, dedicated Engineer & Technical Sales professional from Technical Apprentice through various progressive roles leading to Business Director. He has held various senior management roles within Global companies including managing a European technical Sales team and has a successful track record in presenting strong value propositions, promoting and selling technically advanced companies, products, and services…from Submarines to Semiconductors! Alister is proficient at building strong relationships with both internal and external stakeholders. Knowledgeable & experienced in Business Development (planning), forecasting (models), mergers, acquisitions and change management, contract estimation, planning and tendering, along with managing teams and personal development skills. In retirement Alister is now focussing on helping & supporting others and embracing an altruistic future. He is also mentoring care-experienced or disadvantaged youngsters through MCR Pathways school program. He enjoys quality family time/holidays, walking (Scotland’s scenic routes), and football. ...
Alister Miller
Alister has almost 40 years’ experience as an enthusiastic, dedicated Engineer & Technical Sales professional from Technical Apprentice through various progressive roles leading to Business Director. He has held various senior management roles within Global companies including managing a European technical Sales team and has a successful track record in presenting strong value propositions, promoting and selling technically advanced companies, products, and services…from Submarines to Semiconductors! Alister is proficient at building strong relationships with both internal and external stakeholders. Knowledgeable & experienced in Business Development (planning), forecasting (models), mergers, acquisitions and change management, contract estimation, planning and tendering, along with managing teams and personal development skills. In retirement Alister is now focussing on helping & supporting others and embracing an altruistic future. He is also mentoring care-experienced or disadvantaged youngsters through MCR Pathways school program. He enjoys quality family time/holidays, walking (Scotland’s scenic routes), and football.
David has extensive experience in the energy sector and retired in early 2016 with more than half of his 32-year career in renewable energy. His career was wide and varied and involved the development and management of multiskilled teams. He has held leadership and management positions with Scottish Power (Iberdrola), Weirs, Sgurr Energy and the Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult. His expertise covers engineering, compliance, Health and Safety, O&M, M&A and the development and delivery of large-scale energy projects. From 2012 to 2016 he ran his own energy renewable energy. He is married and enjoys golf, walking, travel and cuisine. ...
David Arnold
David has extensive experience in the energy sector and retired in early 2016 with more than half of his 32-year career in renewable energy. His career was wide and varied and involved the development and management of multiskilled teams. He has held leadership and management positions with Scottish Power (Iberdrola), Weirs, Sgurr Energy and the Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult. His expertise covers engineering, compliance, Health and Safety, O&M, M&A and the development and delivery of large-scale energy projects. From 2012 to 2016 he ran his own energy renewable energy. He is married and enjoys golf, walking, travel and cuisine.
Tom started as an apprentice in 1982 in Weir Pumps before gaining a 1st class honours degree (1991) and MBA (2009) from the University of Strathclyde. He worked as a mechanical design engineer in Weir before managing offshore contracts in the North Sea. Tom spent a large part of his career in the Middle East – firstly in Abu Dhabi managing operations and maintenance contracts and then as General Manager in Dubai for Weir, Operations Director for Hydro and latterly, Managing Director for Sulzer Pumps Middle East and Head of the Pump Services Division for Europe, Middle East, Africa, Russia & FSU for Sulzer. Tom returned to the UK in 2020 and has his own engineering services consultancy business. ...
Tom Pendlebury
Tom started as an apprentice in 1982 in Weir Pumps before gaining a 1st class honours degree (1991) and MBA (2009) from the University of Strathclyde. He worked as a mechanical design engineer in Weir before managing offshore contracts in the North Sea. Tom spent a large part of his career in the Middle East – firstly in Abu Dhabi managing operations and maintenance contracts and then as General Manager in Dubai for Weir, Operations Director for Hydro and latterly, Managing Director for Sulzer Pumps Middle East and Head of the Pump Services Division for Europe, Middle East, Africa, Russia & FSU for Sulzer. Tom returned to the UK in 2020 and has his own engineering services consultancy business.
