NHS Career Story - Mark Riddell

I grew up in Renfrew, where both my mum and dad worked at the Southern General Hospital in Govan now the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital.

My dad was the maintenance supervisor within the Estates Department and my mum was the Orthotics manager. I used to attend call outs with my dad and probably this inspired me to become a tradesman. In 1994 I left High School to take up an apprenticeship with a company called Walker Macleod.

I spent the next 12 years working with various companies, learning every aspect of the electrical contracting industry, from Water Treatment, Aggreko Generators, production lines at Superglass in Stirling and Nestle Purina at Barrhead to name a few.

In 2006 an opportunity to apply for a shift electrical position at the Western Infirmary in Glasgow was too good to pass up, so I applied and was successful in my application. I spent two years covering the Western Infirmary, Gartnavel General, Blawarthill Hospital and Drumchapel Hospital. I met so many amazing people and had a great management team that supported me in my ambition to further both my career and academic qualifications.

In 2007 I applied for and was successful in becoming the Planning Maintenance Supervisor at the Western Infirmary where I stayed around five years, at this time I also attended Reid Kerr College to gain my HNC in Electrical Engineering, which led to my next promotion as a Band 6 Estates Manager.

While working, I also attended University to study for four years to get my BEng Honours in Building Services Engineering.

I have been very fortunate over the years as positions have opened just at the right time and in line with completion of my academic studies.