Our Team
Meet the team
At the core of the Primary Engineer team is the understanding that the work we do has a tremendous effect on children’s lives. Alongside the hard work there is a lot of laughter and a significant ‘wow’ factor – you only have to join in one of our activities to see why we do it!
Dr Susan Scurlock MBE
Founder & CEO of Primary Engineer
Dr Susan Scurlock MBE, Founder & CEO of Primary Engineer
I enjoyed primary school thoroughly, well apart from music, barn dancing and learning French! I especially loved art, maths, physics, and history. I was one of only two girls in the physics class and, to my irritation still, was not allowed to study Technical Drawing as it was a ‘boys only’ subject at the time! If I am honest my nickname at secondary school was SWOT – I loved being in the classroom, and always did my homework on time!
What does your role at Primary Engineer involve?
I founded Primary Engineer in 2005 and over the years worked with the team to develop many programmes aimed at inspiring all young people with and towards engineering careers. I firmly believe that all children should have the opportunity to engage with engineering as a right! And that due to that be able to achieve their potential.
Chris Rochester
UK Director
Chris Rochester, UK Director
When I was at Primary School I wanted to be a journalist – I think initially it was wanting to be Clark Kent (and of course Superman), but later ‘Press Gang’(a great TV show for kids – Google it)r was an influence too. I liked the idea of investigating and finding out about things and had a passion for reading and really enjoyed writing.
What does your role at primary Engineer involve?
I joined Primary Engineer in 2014 having been a primary school teacher and initially designed Primary Engineer’s Postgraduate Certificate in Engineering STEM and the Early Years Engineer Programme. As UK Director, I head up our Partnerships with funders and supporters across all Primary Engineer Programmes working with our existing stakeholders and developing new relationships with engineering industry, businesses and education partners.
Dr Susan Scurlock MBE
Founder & CEO of Primary Engineer
Dr Susan Scurlock MBE, Founder & CEO of Primary Engineer
I enjoyed primary school thoroughly, well apart from music, barn dancing and learning French! I especially loved art, maths, physics, and history. I was one of only two girls in the physics class and, to my irritation still, was not allowed to study Technical Drawing as it was a ‘boys only’ subject at the time! If I am honest my nickname at secondary school was SWOT – I loved being in the classroom, and always did my homework on time!
What does your role at Primary Engineer involve?
I founded Primary Engineer in 2005 and over the years worked with the team to develop many programmes aimed at inspiring all young people with and towards engineering careers. I firmly believe that all children should have the opportunity to engage with engineering as a right! And that due to that be able to achieve their potential.
Chris Rochester
UK Director,
Chris Rochester, UK Director
When I was at Primary School I wanted to be a journalist – I think initially it was wanting to be Clark Kent (and of course Superman), but later ‘Press Gang’(a great TV show for kids – Google it)r was an influence too. I liked the idea of investigating and finding out about things and had a passion for reading and really enjoyed writing.
What does your role at primary Engineer involve?
I joined Primary Engineer in 2014 having been a primary school teacher and initially designed Primary Engineer’s Postgraduate Certificate in Engineering STEM and the Early Years Engineer Programme. As UK Director, I head up our Partnerships with funders and supporters across all Primary Engineer Programmes working with our existing stakeholders and developing new relationships with engineering industry, businesses and education partners.
Stan Cookson
Head of Operations
Stan Cookson, Head of Operations
When I was at Primary School I wanted to be so many things; either the Prime Minister to make things better for everyone, a Spaceman as I thought it would be a cool adventure or a Soldier like my father who was my absolute hero. I was born into the army and we travelled extensively. I attended more than 8 schools by the time I was 13 so it was quite difficult at times. I missed on some curriculum items but was advanced in others. It was great making so many new friends all the time. I ended up as an Engineer Officer in the Merchant Navy when I left school continuing my passion for engineering, travel and adventure.
What does your role at primary Engineer involve?
I joined Primary Engineer as the Head Of Operations where I have overall responsibility to the Directors for all company support across Marketing, Service Delivery, IT, HR, Finance and Legals. My background is developing business across all functional areas. It is a very varied role and very enjoyable at Primary Engineer knowing we are encouraging more children, and especially girls to consider engineering careers. I help formulate company strategy and then work with the teams to implement the strategy providing direction and support.
Donna Johnstone
Head of Partnerships - Scotland & Northern Ireland
Donna Johnstone, Head of Partnerships – Scotland & Northern Ireland
| What did you want to be when you were at Primary School?
I wanted to be a forensic pathologist, due to watching the 70’s American drama Quincy M.E., he made it look like a very exciting job! When I realised the screen job and the real job weren’t quite the same I decided it wasn’t for me! What does your role at Primary Engineer involve? As Head of Partnerships for Scotland and Northern Ireland, my role is about developing our business, and building relationships with existing and new partners across these areas. |
Stan Cookson
Head of Operations
Donna Johnstone
Head of Partnerships - Scotland & Northern Ireland
Donna Johnstone, Head of Partnerships – Scotland & Northern Ireland
| What did you want to be when you were at Primary School?
I wanted to be a forensic pathologist, due to watching the 70’s American drama Quincy M.E., he made it look like a very exciting job! When I realised the screen job and the real job weren’t quite the same I decided it wasn’t for me! What does your role at Primary Engineer involve? As Head of Partnerships for Scotland and Northern Ireland, my role is about developing our business, and building relationships with existing and new partners across these areas. |
Jenni Sneddon
R&D Programme Manager
Jenni Sneddon, R&D Programme Manager
I wanted to be a ballerina or singer! I used to put on spectacular* shows in our living room for my parents and siblings. I actually went on to study dance when I left school but decided that organising and planning were more for me. As the eldest of 3 siblings I have always been an assertive, ‘take charge’ sort of person!
*I think my mum would use the word ‘messy’ as I used to rearrange the furniture and make stage curtains out of bath towels
What does your role at Primary Engineer involve?
I’m R&D Programme Manager for Primary Engineer, based in Edinburgh. I champion project management for Primary Engineer and oversee multiple projects relating to the development of our products and services. I plan out iterative review and improvements and generally make sure we are making our products and services the best they can be!
Ben Heffernan
Operations Supervisor
Ben Heffernan, Operations Supervisor
When I was at primary school I wanted to be a policeman.
What does your role at Primary Engineer involve?
My role is to improve long term company growth by effectively and efficiently managing and controlling logistics and other company operations, minimising losses, and by enhancing other departments performance through the provision and support of IT, HR, H&S, GDPR services.
Jenni Sneddon
R&D Programme Manager
Jenni Sneddon, Programme Manager
I wanted to be a ballerina or singer! I used to put on spectacular* shows in our living room for my parents and siblings. I actually went on to study dance when I left school but decided that organising and planning were more for me. As the eldest of 3 siblings I have always been an assertive, ‘take charge’ sort of person!
*I think my mum would use the word ‘messy’ as I used to rearrange the furniture and make stage curtains out of bath towels
What does your role at Primary Engineer involve?
I’m R&D Programme Manager for Primary Engineer, based in Edinburgh. I champion project management for Primary Engineer and oversee multiple projects relating to the development of our products and services. I plan out iterative review and improvements and generally make sure we are making our products and services the best they can be!
Ben Heffernan
Operations Supervisor
Ben Heffernan, Operations Supervisor
When I was at primary school I wanted to be a policeman.
What does your role at Primary Engineer involve?
My role is to improve long term company growth by effectively and efficiently managing and controlling logistics and other company operations, minimising losses, and by enhancing other departments performance through the provision and support of IT, HR, H&S, GDPR services.
Nick Donnelly
Trainer
Laura Frankham
Account Manager
Laura Frankham, Account Manager
What does your role at Primary Engineer involve?
Nick Donnelly
Trainer
Laura Frankham
Account Manager
Laura Frankham, Account Manager
What does your role at Primary Engineer involve?