Tim Nelson
Current Employer/Organisation Name
Telford and Wrekin Unitary Authority
What have you been doing since leaving Exeter, and what are you doing now?
20 years food manufacturing management, then 20 years food manufacturing junior admin (Planning/Buying), Retired/Councillor.
Why did you choose this career? And what do you enjoy most about your work?
Worked all my vacations, as one did in those days. I spent one making machines, became fascinated with Factories. Thrill of making things, in big scale, that people enjoyed.
Please tell us if you were a member of any societies, groups or sports clubs?
History Society, Rowing, Motorcycle club (I think there was, certainly a group of Bikers).
What did you enjoy most about your programme and what was the biggest highlight?
‘My programme’? Being allowed the scope to just learn. Highlight was my Finals, putting it all down on paper. The Prehistory field trip to study the Bronze age ‘Wessex culture’ remains, was fun.
What did you enjoy most about studying here?
It was fairy land, detached from reality, in a lovely SW town.
Why did you choose to study at Exeter?
Oxbridge reject (Like 3/4 of my cohort), Exeter among the best of the rest. The course staff were welcoming when I visited.
What skills and experiences have been most useful for your career?
Dynamic energy and enthusiasm, positive methodical determination. Being able to analyse a myriad of facts, then create a plan, and communicate it.
What advice would you give to a current student who wishes to pursue your career?
Do not approach with an Arts degree; science or engineering only. Stay technical, where there are qualification barriers to entry, which support ‘terms and condition’s’ Straight ‘management’ there are no barriers to entry, no professional association with teeth: it is a hard school.
What are your plans for the future?
Well now. Get re-elected in 2023 (again). Bring to fruition my many local council projects. Continue rowing for as long as I can. Enjoy our cabins down in Devon (Seaton). Learn more about Climate change, be an advocate for socially just (In the UK) mitigation and resilience.
