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
Stuart graduated in Mechanical Engineering from Glasgow Caledonian University and retired in 2019 after a 35+ year career, holding a variety of technical and managerial positions across a diverse range of industry sectors including Construction, Life Sciences and Nuclear Defence, the final 11 years as a Director of Babcock Marine (Clyde) Limited, the Ministry of Defence/Royal Navy Tier 1 Industrial Partner at HMNB (Clyde), Faslane, at which the UK submarine fleet and strategic deterrent are based and maintained. He is a Chartered Engineer (CEng) and a Fellow of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (FIMechE). Stuart's other responsibilities have included membership of several industry groups including the Scottish Engineering Executive Committee, the Skills Development Scotland Engineering Skills Leadership Group and the Developing Young Workforce Regional Board for Argyll & Bute. He is an active member of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers as a Professional Review Interview Facilitator, also serving on their Qualifications & Membership Audit Committee. He is a Mentor for the Engineering Development Trust and a STEM Ambassador. He has served for over 10 years as a Trustee of the veterans’ charity, Erskine Hospital and was appointed Chairman of the Board of Trustees in 2021. ...
Stuart Aitkenhead
Stuart graduated in Mechanical Engineering from Glasgow Caledonian University and retired in 2019 after a 35+ year career, holding a variety of technical and managerial positions across a diverse range of industry sectors including Construction, Life Sciences and Nuclear Defence, the final 11 years as a Director of Babcock Marine (Clyde) Limited, the Ministry of Defence/Royal Navy Tier 1 Industrial Partner at HMNB (Clyde), Faslane, at which the UK submarine fleet and strategic deterrent are based and maintained. He is a Chartered Engineer (CEng) and a Fellow of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (FIMechE). Stuart’s other responsibilities have included membership of several industry groups including the Scottish Engineering Executive Committee, the Skills Development Scotland Engineering Skills Leadership Group and the Developing Young Workforce Regional Board for Argyll & Bute. He is an active member of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers as a Professional Review Interview Facilitator, also serving on their Qualifications & Membership Audit Committee. He is a Mentor for the Engineering Development Trust and a STEM Ambassador. He has served for over 10 years as a Trustee of the veterans’ charity, Erskine Hospital and was appointed Chairman of the Board of Trustees in 2021.
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.
Robert graduated in 1985 with a first class honours in Mechanical Engineering from Strathclyde University. He has spent almost 40 years working in the engineering sector and has held a range of positions across design, manufacturing , sales and leadership functions. He has had business experience in over 45 countries during that journey. Robert started his career with Weir Group and spent nearly 20 years working for both the new equipment and service areas of the business. His final position was as Head of Oil & Gas for the service division. From there Robert moved to work for the Japanese company, Torishima and helped them establish a European and Middle East service presence. Following on from that he worked for himself in partnership with a range of European rotating equipment and valve companies helping them develop their service presence across the Middle East and Africa. This culminated in him leading a business turning over circa £100M, employing almost 600 people including operations in Iraq, Iran, Sudan and Nigeria. He is now back with Torishima supporting them to develop their business footprint in a range of regions and markets. ...
Robert Bald
Robert graduated in 1985 with a first class honours in Mechanical Engineering from Strathclyde University. He has spent almost 40 years working in the engineering sector and has held a range of positions across design, manufacturing , sales and leadership functions. He has had business experience in over 45 countries during that journey. Robert started his career with Weir Group and spent nearly 20 years working for both the new equipment and service areas of the business. His final position was as Head of Oil & Gas for the service division. From there Robert moved to work for the Japanese company, Torishima and helped them establish a European and Middle East service presence. Following on from that he worked for himself in partnership with a range of European rotating equipment and valve companies helping them develop their service presence across the Middle East and Africa. This culminated in him leading a business turning over circa £100M, employing almost 600 people including operations in Iraq, Iran, Sudan and Nigeria. He is now back with Torishima supporting them to develop their business footprint in a range of regions and markets.
