David Maxwell

Background

About David Maxwell

My career started during my first GCSE Chemistry Class when I was introduced to fossil fuels. It was so overwhelmingly clear to me, even as a young teenager, how dependent society is on coal, oil and natural gas and not just for energy. This inspired my career path to study chemical engineering and to pursue a PhD in Bioenergy and sustainability. I have become more inspired and assured that my life ambitions are on the right track as I witness the advancements and transformation in our energy outlooks. During my PhD I realised that there is also a cultural element to our transition and I have a responsibility to others to share my knowledge and help them make their own choices. This has led me to undertake research related to sustainability in the developing world and also to start up outreach projects in schools and communities to educate people on changes they can make that will have an impact on our futures. I have always had a distaste for waste and inefficiency and this is not just related to energy but everything I do. How do I use my time most effectively and how can I measure that? How can I travel from one place to another minimising both time and fuel usage? How can I achieve all of my objectives in a day? These are just some of the questions I am constantly asking myself and they partly shape my work ethic. The other part of my work ethic is exceeding people's expectations. I love diving into a project and aiming beyond the stars to deliver quality that they did not anticipate.