Clive's curiosity and drive to learn continue to motivate him, a trait fostered during his time at Warwick, which taught him critical thinking and presentation skills.

Why did you choose Warwick?

I wanted to go to one of the then 'newer' universities rather than the traditional set of institutions. Warwick had only recently been founded when I joined and I was inspired by Harold Wilson's 'White Heat of Technology' speech which meant that, as a scientist, I wanted to come to a new and exciting place of learning. And it certainly was the case!

What are you doing now?

I’m now retired. I started my career as a Researcher at Blue Circle Cement before moving to the Greater London Authority, firstly as a Scientific Officer, then as Head of Safety. After that I worked as a HR Manager for Prudential, before moving into the role of HR Director.

What motivates you to do what you do? 

The curiosity for new things and the drive to always learn more about life pushes me on to study new and different things. Though now retired from formal work, I still always want to study more as there is so much out there to learn - not just about the properties of matter, which of course can be predictable, but about humans and their place in the world, bearing in mind that humans are anything but predictable in their behaviours!

How has your time at Warwick influenced what you do now? 

Studying Physics and Engineering at Warwick taught me how to study and how to record and present information. But most importantly, it taught me how to think. I moved on from Physics several years into my career, but the lessons of learning a scientific discipline have stood me in very good stead in all other work I have since been engaged in, from being a leader in Health and Safety to being an HR Director.

Favourite memory? 

There are so many good memories, but maybe one of the best was the rock music concerts on site. Seeing Jethro Tull, Free, The Nice, the Strawbs, Jack Bruce, and so many more superb groups, was always a delight

Best thing about the Warwick community?

They are a family of friends, and I still have close links to people I met in Warwick more than 50 years ago.

Favourite place on campus

There was no Student Union building in my day - but the space outside P Block was great for sunbathing in the summer!

Clive Nash

BSc Physics, 1971