Representing a range of industries, the panellists provided valuable perspectives on career growth, the impact of their education, and the importance of soft skills.

Meet the Panellists

• George Hinchliffe-Morgan (S: 2006-2012) – currently auditing submarines at Babcock International Group
• Becky Brooke (S: 2005-2010) – Account Manager in the hospitality industry
• Freddie Brasher (S: 2015-2019)  – Acting Manager at Great Western Railway
• Lottie Packman (S: 2017-2021) – Aerospace Engineering Apprenticeship at Airbus
• Philip Davies (S: 1971-1978) – Veterinary surgeon

Business Highlights

The panellists discussed key aspects of their industries, emphasising the importance of location, networking, and professional development:

• Lottie is still completing her studies but has already been networking with MPs about apprenticeships and has secured a dissertation opportunity with NASA next year.
• Freddie values working in a company where leadership actively engages with all levels of staff, creating a supportive environment.
• Becky takes pride in proving to herself what she can achieve, having successfully managed multi-thousand-pound events.
• George is involved in gender balance initiatives at Babcock, advocating for equal opportunities and inspiring future engineers through school visits.

The Role of Soft Skills

Academic qualifications are crucial, but the panellists highlighted the essential soft skills developed at Sidcot that have helped them in their careers:

• Phil stressed the importance of equality and interpersonal skills, particularly in veterinary practice where understanding clients is as important as treating animals.
• Lottie noted how her experience as an Ashoka changemaker and Head Girl helped her develop confidence in international communication.
• Freddie credited the International Baccalaureate (IB) and Duke of Edinburgh (DofE) experience for fostering a well-rounded approach, with Quaker values like truth and honesty playing a significant role in customer interactions.
• George emphasized communication skills and adaptability, crucial for her role in helping engineers open up and collaborate effectively.

What Drives Them?

Each panellist shared their personal motivation:

• Lottie is determined to learn more and support women entering the engineering field.
• Freddie has a lifelong passion for railways and is motivated by making a difference in the industry.
• Becky thrives on seeing events come to life, from initial vision to successful execution.
• Phil reflected on his experiences as a rugby captain and his time with the Sidcot caving club, which instilled resilience and perseverance.

Advice for Future Professionals

The panellists offered valuable career advice:

• Work hard and seize opportunities early - this is a crucial time to set the foundation for your future.
• Consider apprenticeships as a viable route to gain practical skills, a degree, and a social life while earning.
• Follow your passion, as emphasized by Freddie, who reinforced the value of apprenticeships (as did Lottie).
• Hone your soft skills, as George highlighted, to help with career advancement and leadership opportunities.

Q&A Session

Students took the opportunity to ask the panellists about their initial career paths and the routes they took into their respective industries. The discussion underscored the variety of paths available and the importance of persistence, adaptability, and networking.

The Sidcotian Careers Panel 2025 offered our Sixth Form students a glimpse into the professional world and the many ways they can shape their own futures. The insights shared will undoubtedly serve as motivation for the next generation of Sidcot graduates. Thank you to George, Becky, Freddie, Lottie and Phil for joining us!