Simon Aldersley
MChem in Chemistry, Sheffield, PhD in Polymer Science, Durham. Joined ICI Paints: October 2002, Currently Laboratory Manager at ICI Paints, Slough
Where did you first hear about a graduate career with ICI?
Honest answer - at my assessment centre! I sent speculative applications off to most of Britain's large chemical companies and although I knew a lot about ICI, when I arrived at my assessment centre I didn't even know that they had a particular graduate scheme.
As a student I visited a couple of ICI sites on industrial visits so my first impression of ICI was formed before I came to work for the business. I remember on my first day working here being in awe at the size of the company.
Has your view changed since then? How would you sum up ICI now?
With respect to the size of the place it has amazed me how quickly I have got to know people. There are hardly any offices here at Slough that I can walk into without knowing someone in there. On the whole I have been impressed with working for ICI Paints - they have supported my training and development throughout my time here.
The thing I like most about working at ICI is how helpful everyone is at solving each other's problems. There is a real sense of everyone working together towards a common goal. This is quite a change from University where you are really working on your own.
I started in the International Research Group, working in two different areas on new technologies for long term targets. After two years in the International team I transferred to the European Development Group where I was responsible for the launch of a new product. I have found that my responsibilities have increased with time. When I started I was responsible for my own project and what happened with it, but as time has passed the area for which I am responsible has increased and I now have a team of six working for me.
And what about training?
I have received lots of widely different training. I have been to the Netherlands and Pennsyvania for technical training and through the EGDP I have also received a wide range of non-technical training, encompassing such diverse topics as marketing, finance, career management and people skills.
What are the main challenges you have faced and how have you overcome them?
One major challenge for a chemist leaving University to enter industry is having to bear in mind that whatever work you do in the laboratory will eventually have to be done on a multi-tonne scale in the factory. This can be a very sobering thought when you remember that if you want to introduce a chemical that needed handling in the lab fume cupboard this may translate to breathing equipment on the factory!
Obviously, working in research, a lot of the projects I have been involved in are yet to be launched and I cannot talk about them, however what I can say is that I have worked on a variety of different projects in widely different technical areas, all of which have had their own interesting elements.
And what has been the most and least satisfying to date?
The most, watching projects that you have played a part in reach production is a very exciting thing. I get a sense of satisfaction knowing that as I walk past the shelves of a DIY store I have played a part in what is in the tins. And the least, I spent a long time putting together a successful proposal to get funding for a university student on a project which I designed. After doing all the paperwork I left the International Research group just as the student started and had to pass the work over to someone else which was difficult.
What are your interests away from work? And has ICI helped you pursue these?
I play lots of sports - badly. I play both football and badminton with colleagues and am also a member of a local gym. ICI subsidises our membership so you see a lot of your colleagues there.
What's next for you?
I need to prove myself in my current role - it is a significant challenge running a group and I need to get a couple of successful launches under my belt. I still haven't given up on the idea of being a professional sportsman - I figure it's just a case of trying enough sports - there must be one out there that I am good enough at! Failing that, I am aiming for a Technical Manager role within R&D.
Can ICI help you achieve your goals?
The sportsman plan, probably not, regarding the Technical Manager role, ICI is a huge chemicals company with plenty of opportunities for me to aim for.
