Welcome to my homepage
Personal Information
Address: Surrey
Telephone: 07712 359020
E-mail addresses: mark@markskinner.co.uk
cv@mdskinner.co.uk (for CV enquiries)
I have graduated from the University of Bath with a 2:1 BSc Physics degree. This included an industrial placement (sandwich) year at Philips Research Laboratories in Redhill, Surrey. On completing the placement year, my placement report was assessed, as was my general performance and a progress presentation I gave at University. As a result, I have been awarded the Licentiateship of the City & Guilds Institute (LCGI) senior award.
I also undertook a final year laboratory project entitled "Optical Excitation of Surface Plasmons in Thin Silver Films". More details of this and a downloadable copy of the report can be accessed above.
Subjects / Modules studied: Mathematics, Mechanics & Waves, Equations of Science, Electromagnetism, Quantum & Atomic Physics, Relativity, Particle Physics, Optics, Surface Physics, Semiconductors, Electronics, Signal Processing, Programming, Thermodynamics & Statistical Mechanics, Medical Physics.
2004/5 Capita Financial Group, London
In my role as a fund administrator, my responsibilities include:
- Producing cash flows detailing debits and credits, for various Unit Trusts and OEICS, on a daily basis and to strict valuation point deadlines.
- Checking tax, rate, currency, ex- and pay-date details on new dividends.
- Investigating matters such as outstanding or overdue dividends and incorrect adjustments at the earliest opportunity so as to avoid breaches occurring on funds.
- Creating invoices for management and trustee fees, and accounting for monies received in relation to other fees and withholding tax reclaims.
I have also completed the IAQ Merit Award, achieving first time passes in all three units, including a pass with credit in FSA Regulatory Environment.
Training has included Corporate Actions, Compliance, Bonds and CIS schemes.
2003/4 Network Rail, Woking, Surrey
· Feb 2004 to Nov 2004 - promoted to Training Co-ordinator
Reporting to the southern region Training Manager, I was responsible for:
- Planning and booking maintenance and safety courses.
- Reviewing course, travel and accommodation costs with the Finance department.
- Maintaining a large training database and creating joining instructions by utilising advanced Excel
- Rewriting course joining instructions to provide better information, resulting in a marked decrease in the number of delegates failing to attend courses.
· Dec 2003 to Feb 2004 - HR Administrator
- Responsible for arranging interviews for prospective maintenance staff.
- Responsible for booking staff medicals and maintenance induction courses.
- Maintained a large staff database and updated the department's procedures for tracking pending applications and notifying candidates of interview outcomes.
- Dealt with staff issues including medical restrictions, safety and attendance. - Created new policy documents according to Network Rail principles.
· Nov 2003 to Dec 2003 - Transition co-ordinator (Balfour Beatty)
Responsible for co-ordinating transition processes and solving related issues. This required organisational, time management, communication and problem solving skills. I also liaised with maintenance managers, providing detailed data and reports on all current staff in the Wessex region.
2001/2 Philips Research Laboratories, Redhill, Surrey
As part of a small analytical team I provided SEM analysis for a variety of semiconductor research projects. Research was mainly focussed on thin film transistors used in LCD displays. There was a great emphasis on customer care (both internal and external).
I had to perform analyses on a variety of samples and report on my findings in a clear and detailed manner. During busy periods I learnt to prioritise work from several customers and kept each customer informed on progress. I attended regular group project meetings in order to discuss progress on each project and suggest ways in which to proceed. I also attended regular presentations on important financial and scientific issues, in order to maintain a good understanding of the current hi-tech industry climate.
My main accomplishment, other than completing all work to deadlines, was the major improvement I made to a current analytical technique. The method of making and analysing sample cross-sections was slow and inefficient yet had become an accepted technique.
I experimented with the application of additional metal layers to silicon plate samples and as a result, I was able to create cross-sections and analyse them in a fraction of the time it took using the previous technique. Throughput was greatly increased and an added benefit was improved contrast in resultant SEM images.
2000 SFI Group plc, Woking, Surrey
During my time at SFI as a customer accounts clerk, I developed my interpersonal, IT and time management skills.
My main responsibilities were data input, customer profile/order maintenance and indexing and archiving. These required me to work in a methodical manner as part of a team.
1997/8 Allders Department Store, Woking, Surrey
One year part-time.
My responsibilities as a customer services clerk were to administer customer accounts, perform cash accounting, open new accounts and maintain wedding lists.
During my time at Allders I dealt with, and rectified, a number of customer complaints in a calm and polite manner. I was also proud of the way I maintained several wedding lists, especially during the busy summer period, ensuring that all gifts were correctly ordered and sent, and preventing duplicate orders occurring.
1997 Larkin & Gray Solicitors, Byfleet, Surrey
Two weeks work experience. General office administration in legal practice. I assisted a team of solicitors working in property law.