Hi!
I'm Mark

My 4½ years with Dyson were very exciting and a real eye opener, working at the cutting edge of creativity and innovation - my first taste of working for a top tier company. I initially worked within Floorcare in the new product development department on intricate mechanisms, utilising complex plastic tooling techniques to realise integrated design solutions. Quickly identified as a problem solver and a 'doer', I was handpicked and tasked with solving a re-occurring field failure. I first identified the real problem, replicated the issue and came up with both short and long term fixes. Due to my success I was invited to join the Continuous Improvement team and tasked to understand and optimise a test method used to validate performance of the vacuum. By stripping things back to look at the problems with fresh eyes I built a new test method and process from the robust requirements that I had identified. Whilst working within Floorcare I became a valued member owning multiple assemblies and managing integration with other cross discipline team members. My next challenge was in the Dyson Digital Motor team within the research department, working on blue-sky innovation to drive performance and increase power density across the new product lines such as the Dyson Hair Drier. I also had the opportunity to work on the secretive electric vehicle project exploring new materials and processes to optimise not only battery capacity but also enabling a step change in motor performance from the competition. Outside of specific project responsibilities, in my last 2 years I was 'recruited' to help with the induction programme for new starters which ranged from Junior Engineers to Senior Management. My specific remit was to provide key insights into the Dyson portfolio research and design processes through presentations and hands-on demonstrations.

One of the benchmark brands in caravans and motorhomes with a strong and prestigious history, I was recruited in along with others to bring them into the 21st century. The management recognised that the systems, methodology and IT needed to be updated and completely integrated to remain competitive and keep Bailey as the number 1 manufacturer of caravans and motorhomes in the UK. My role was to lead this change over. Implementing new ways to visualise fresh concepts and not only get things production ready more quickly, but also to 'fail faster' preventing larger and more costly problems for the entire business. Bailey taught me a lot about people management. Being bought in to help effect change proved challenging at times, with the old guard (understandably) putting up quite some resistance! In order to effectively achieve my objectives I implemented Standard Operating System’s (amongst other things) onto the shop floor with a more 'Ikea build manual' for each of the stations, enabling people to move around more fluidly with less emphasis on who was building something and more focus on quality and achieving the finished product.

Fresh out of University with my first-class degree I did the 'classic' thing young grads do and took the first job that came along. I was with Powervamp for 15 months - what did I contribute? If I am honest with my career being in its infancy, other than an open mind and having lots of enthusiasm I don’t really know! What I learnt however was to have confidence when liaising with manufacturers both in the UK and China. My Solidworks and CATIA skills improved vastly, as did my analytical skills when it came to developing prototypes and designs in order to value engineer future products as much as possible without the need for sacrificing robustness. I was lucky enough to work with a group of very talented electrical engineers which enabled me to build a sound knowledge of electrical equipment and routing design that I may not otherwise been exposed to.