Andrew Brazier

It is fair to say that I do not do much “real” chemical engineering these days, although I do still work mainly with companies that are in that general area (chemical, oil, gas, power etc.).

Part of the benefit I gain from my Chem Eng degree is that I can understand what my clients do and can speak their language.

But I think it is more than that.

My degree gave me an interest in Chemical Engineering that motivates me to work closely with my clients. I observe other people doing similar things to me that have a different background. They can do a good job but never seem to engage as well I can in understanding what companies are doing and as a result I find that their output can sometimes be more theoretical and generic.

Post 16 Education: A Levels Maths, Chemistry, Physics

Higher Education: BSc Chemical Engineering

Why did you choose to study Chemical Engineering?

Chemical Engineering allowed me to apply my science and maths abilities in a practical way. Engineering jobs appealed to me more than pure science jobs. Chemical Engineering involves transforming raw materials and energy sources into more useful products. Many of these processes are responsible for things that we use everyday - like tinned food, medicines, water, plastics and petrol.

Chemical Engineers essentially scale up the activities you may perform in the chemistry lab to create large quantities of a product or energy. It gives you an understanding of the different types of processes so that you can design facilities and operate them efficiently and safely.

Andrew’s experience as a student

I was at Loughborough between 1986 and 1990 - so a long time ago. I chose it because Chem. Eng. was a sandwich course and I felt a year working in industry had to be a good thing (it is).

Also, I liked the campus and promise of a place in halls of residence on campus for the first year.

One of the features I remember from Loughborough is the number of clubs; and the fact that they were very active. I joined the mountaineering club and enjoyed many weekends away climbing and hill walking. It also offered great fitness classes and socials. Although I was not an elite sports person it was great to have the facilities so readily available to everyone.

Living on campus was great for the 1st year. Equally, Loughborough was a good town to live in for my other years.

Andrew’s Career

I am a self-employed process safety consultant, specialising in human factors (which is primarily focussed on how human error results in major accidents and how we can avoid them). This was not something I ever imagined whilst studying at Loughborough.

When I finished at Loughborough I went travelling for about 18 months.

When I returned home the job market was not great and I ended up studying for a PhD in Edinburgh. Although that was in the Chem Eng department the topic was human factors.

When I finished that I went to work for a couple of consultancy companies working in that field, but always in industries related to chemical engineering. In 2005 I decided to carry on doing similar but on my own.