Ben Brooks, current Head of Engineering at Nexus, has been recalling his varied career as five new engineering roles are being advertised to join the engineering team at Nexus who look after the Tyne and Wear Metro, amongst other assets.<\/p>\n
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Amongst the roles he has had in his 13-year career since graduating from Northumbria University was a three-year spell at the Palace of Westminster. During this period he looked after assets such as Big Ben, the House of Commons, the House of Lords, and the basement where Guy Fawkes was caught when involved in the Gun Powder Plot.<\/p>\n
Ben, aged 35, said: \u201cIt was such an honour and a privilege to work at Westminster. I was delighted to join Nexus when we moved back up north to start a family, but I\u2019ll always cherish my time down in London. Working in Parliament felt like I was really doing something for the good of the country, right at the heart of our democracy.<\/p>\n
\u201cI got to see every nook and cranny of the place. I saw areas behind the scenes the public don\u2019t really get to ever go into. It\u2019s one of the most famous buildings in the world. It\u2019s a truly fascinating place to work. I loved my time there. You can feel the history when you walk around the place.<\/p>\n
\u201cA real highlight for me was getting involved in the conservation of the Elizabeth Tower, which most people know as Big Ben. I got to work with the estate historian on that one, which was a particular privilege. The clock hands were returned to their original Victorian colour scheme. My role was to work on the lighting systems which light up Big Ben\u2019s clock face\u00a0at night. We had to get the colour scheme absolutely\u00a0right.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen Queen Elizabeth\u00a0II passed away, I was called to help with some of the work that was required at Westminster Abbey and at Westminster Hall, where Her Majesty was to lie in state. I did specifications and design work for the many temporary installations that were needed for this huge moment of national mourning.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve been down in the hidden labyrinth of subterranean basements, tunnels and cellars below Parliament, even the one where Guy Fawkes was caught during the Gun Powder Plot. It was surreal to be able to go in there.\u201d<\/p>\n
He added: \u201cI would recommend a career in engineering to anyone. It\u2019s brilliant. No two days are the same. I\u2019m excited about this latest chapter, working for Nexus, and supporting the many the public transport services they deliver, not least the Metro.\u201d<\/p>\n