Profile
Chris Meyer
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About Me:
I live with my wife and dog in Lincoln. I have been swing dancing for 20 years. That is dances from the 20’s to 50’s, so Lindy hop, Balboa and Jive, which we also teach. Recently retired, so have taken up bowls! Have a classic car to polish and fix so it can stay on the road.
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My pronouns are:
He/Him
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My Work:
My last job was running a lab and the research projects for my Company. Was also in change of health, safety and the environment, so like being the “police” and making sure we kept within the law. Have also been a Teacher, Sales Rep and Purchasing Mgr!
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My Typical Day:
Up early so I can be at work for around 8. It takes an hour to get to work. Go into the Lab for tea and check with everyone how things are going. Back to my office to look over emails, then it can be anything from a site tour, meetings, writing reports. I make sure I have a tea break and lunch break in the lab. On a Friday we have cake with our tea. I go home at 5.
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What I'd do with the prize money:
My local primary does not have a code club, the money could help buy some kit for that.
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Education:
I went to Slough Grammar, now Upton Park for O and A levels (I am old!). I wanted to do Zoology at Uni, but didn’t work hard enough for my A levels, so failed to get the grades I needed. I got a job that let me do day release, so worked 3.5 days a week and went to Langley College 1.3 days a week to retake Chemistry and, this time, I did Maths. This let me go to Portsmouth Poly to study Applied Chemistry. I decided on chemistry instead of zoology because I thought I would have a better chance of getting a job after Uni. Also it was a sandwich course, so I spent 1 year out working at ICI Paints, Slough.
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Qualifications:
GCE’s (called that when I was at school), A levels, Applied Chemistry Degree, PhD from UMIST (now Manchester Uni).
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Work History:
Started in Technical Services for a white pigment company in Stockton-on-Tees. That was doing lab work looking into customer problems with our product. I moved into UK Sales to help out. That moved me to Glasgow. Then went into Export Sales for the Chemicals Division. That took me round the world. Moved back into UK Sales working from home in Huddersfield. From there moved to our factory in Grimsby as a Purchasing Manager. Got made redundant and became a teacher. Got offered a job in Sales by an ex boss and started working for a quarry. Once there, became to Lab Manager and later Head of Technical in charge of Safety, Health, Environment, Quality and Research.
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Current Job:
Am now retired. Hooray!
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Employer:
Tioxide, Huntsman, Thomas Cowley School, Singleton Birch
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My Interview
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How would you describe yourself in 3 words?
Retired, dancing Chemist
What did you want to be after you left school?
A Doctor
Were you ever in trouble at school?
Not really
If you weren't doing this job, what would you choose instead?
Lecturer/teacher
Who is your favourite singer or band?
Django Reinhardt
What's your favourite food?
Anything spicy
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