INSPIRATION
Mastermind
Ground-breaker - Mitsubishi Chemical Group ’ s Helen Nicklin joined female scientists at Wilton Centre to inspire students on Ade Lovelace Day .
Wilton Centre uses past inspiration to shape its future
The Wilton Centre is looking to shape its future by harnessing inspiration from the past . The iconic building is celebrating 50 years since it opened as ICI ’ s giant office and laboratory complex .
Much has changed : the chemical giant has long gone and some of the companies who have become part the Wilton Centre ’ s community of businesses are now busy finding ways to reverse processes developed by the scientists who came before them .
These companies came to the centre , near Redcar , because of the quality of its space , facilities and location . They have also highlighted the presence of a reservoir of expertise which has been passed down from the days of ICI .
Pioneer Group , which owns the Wilton Centre and 11 other sites in the UK and Ireland , selected it as one of the main venues for a series of events that brought together scientists , academics and industry experts to discuss solutions to some of the most pressing challenges facing our planet : human health in a changing climate , the circular carbon economy and sustainable food systems .
Toby Reid , Pioneer Group ’ s executive director , said : “ With global temperatures on the rise , supporting innovations that address key planetary health challenges is more crucial than ever .
“ Our programmes and incubation spaces are designed to support clean and green tech companies as they work to transform industrial practices and mitigate human impact on the planet .
“ We aim to create optimal environments for these companies to focus on their scientific endeavours .”
Pioneer Group sites such as the Wilton Centre , MediCity in Nottingham and the Kent Science Park “ serve as ideal bases for leading-edge innovators ,” he said .
Pioneer ’ s North-East location was also the focus of events to mark Ada Lovelace Day , a celebration of the life and achievements of the world ’ s first computer programmer and also an opportunity to inspire today ’ s young women about futures in science , technology , engineering and maths ( STEM ).
Forty young women from four Teesside schools heard from female scientists who work for Wilton Centre occupiers Absolute Antibody , CPI and the Mitsubishi Chemical Group , took part in experiments and discussed educational and career options with representatives of Middlesbrough College .
They also heard from engineer Helen Nicklin , a procurement manager with Mitsubishi and an expert on Ada Lovelace . Helen chose to answer questions about Ada when she was a contestant on TV ’ s Mastermind during lockdown in 2020 .
“ She ’ s such an important role model – even now in a world that ’ s so vastly changed ,” said Helen . “ It ’ s so vital for young women to realise that they can contribute in so many different ways .
“ Mastermind is one of those things that had always intrigued me . I love a general knowledge quiz and I just thought I ’ ve got time on my hands so why not give it a go ?”
Sitting down in the famous black chair and facing the formidable host John Humphreys was a “ brilliant experience
Inspiration - Helen ’ s chosen subject on Mastermind was programme pioneer Ada Lovelace ( inset ).
but absolutely terrifying ”, especially as there was no audience to support the contestants .
Helen narrowly missed out on going through to the next stage of the competition but is planning to try again . “ I think I would continue the theme and pick another woman in science and technology – Mary Somerville , Dorothy Hodgkin or Rosalind Franklin , perhaps , to bring it more into the modern world ,” she smiled .
Claire Reed , head of business and computing at Laurence Jackson School , said events like Ada Lovelace Day are helping to bring about change . “ A shift has happened over the past few years ,” she said . “ There are so many opportunities on Teesside . If we can get more girls interested in STEM , the world ’ s their oyster .”
Nadia Ammor , a science teacher at Ryehills Academy , said : “ It ’ s nice to see women taking control and telling us all about the opportunities there are for girls . A lot of them want careers in STEM , whereas five years ago it was predominantly the boys .”
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