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Have you ever wondered what the industry's influential figures have on their desk? From family pictures to odd little knick-knacks, you can tell a lot about a person by their desk. This is why Voltimum's roving reporter, Frankie Snobel, scoped out the desk of BASEC Chief Executive, Dr. Jeremy Hodge.
From offering scientific expertise on chemical terror protection to jet-setting around the world on a quest for oil, this self-proclaimed “science geek” is living a life far from ordinary.
Jeremy was born in Manchester and raised in the West Country. He eventually made his way to Oxford University, where his was awarded a degree in Chemistry. After completing his studies, including a PhD focusing on lasers, Jeremy found work with BP. Here he explored “science things” such as oil exploration, production and petrochemicals. He then became involved with the insurance industry, working as a technical advisor, joining the LPC (Loss Prevention Council), and joining the board of BASEC as a non-executive member.
Now the Chief Executive of BASEC, Jeremy meets with the cable sector’s manufacturer clients, distributors and stakeholders to learn about their businesses along with prevailing industry issues. His goal- to expand BASEC schemes into more places and further sectors, continuing to maintain its well-established status as an internationally recognised mark of quality.
1. “Pollution Risk Assessment and Management” by Peter E. T. Douben: Jeremy’s office is stocked with a wide array of scientific literature. This particular book is being used for a current personal environment-related web development project (refer to #14)
2. The Electrical Industry Awards pamphlet: BASEC is supporting the Wholesaler of the Year Award. The ceremony takes place at the Marriott Grosvenor Square on October 4, 2007.
3a) Glass Paperweight (one of many): Jeremy has a grand collection of interesting glass paperweights given as gifts of appreciation for his scientific talks during conferences and important industry events.
3b) Fire Sprinkler Paperweight: Part of the paperweight collection, this is an actual fire sprinkler set in resin. Jeremy was involved with the fire testing and inspection, and headed the Fire Labs at the Loss Prevention Council (LPC). “There’s nothing like a good blaze,” said Jeremy.
4. “Top Gun” Award: Every year BASEC organises a staff conference. “It’s an opportunity for everyone to get together for once,” said Jeremy. “Croquet, dinner, pampering and a serious bar bill at the end of the evening.” There is also a clay shooting competition. This is where Jeremy won his “Top Gun” Award, claiming it was “beginners luck”, as it was the first time he had ever picked up a gun.
5. Family Photo: Jeremy has 3 little Hodges, a seventeen year old son, and two daughters, one fourteen and the other five.
6. Miniature Tuba Figurine: Jeremy’s son plays the tuba and often shares his classical music talents playing in an orchestra and in a band. The figurine seems to be a mini tribute: “I spend most of my spare time transporting my son’s tuba,” said Jeremy. “I’m constantly tripping all over the place.” Despite the complaining, it’s obvious Jeremy is incredibly proud of his musically gifted son.
7. Tools of the Trade:
a) Wire strippers, knives, snips, and a micrometer: used to expose, cut and measure cables
b) Cable measuring device for mineral cable: along with being very bright, this orange plastic measurer is quite old and rare.
8. Laptop: “If there is one item I spend most of my life with, it’s this thing,” said Jeremy. Enough said.
9. Cable Samples:
a) “This is a serious animal,” said Jeremy about the large hunk of 33kV cable on his desk. This cable is used for connections into the grid.
b) The top fire cable sample is a mineral cable, which until recently was the only option for fire systems. The bottom two are softskin fire cables, which have introduced a whole new way of wiring up fire alarms.
10. Report on the Task Force on Potentially Hazardous Near Earth Objects: Jeremy contributed to this government report, offering his scientific advice. Said Jeremy on the rather ominously titled publication: “It will happen eventually. It’s not worth worrying about. It comes into Acts of God territory.”
11. Batman Mug: Bought during a family holiday to Disney World, Jeremy claims the purchase was due to mug size rather than a love of Batman.
12. Passport and Visa Application: These documents are needed for Jeremy’s upcoming trip to China, where he will visit clients and laboratories.
13. Bog Oak Pen Holder: Clients in Ireland gave Jeremy the pen holder as a token of their gratitude. “It smells like a bog,” chuckled Jeremy, who has a soft spot for the west of Ireland.
14. PHP and MySQL for Dummies: Jeremy needed a little bit of help in creating a website for the action group ACRID. He is one of their supporters and is in the midst of protesting the construction of a waste incinerator in the countryside near his home. To see Jeremy’s cyber accomplishment, check out www.acrid.org.uk
15. Product Certificate: This important piece of paperwork is given to manufactures to assure end users that their cables have been checked by BASEC.
16. Blotting Device: “I think it’s a 1950’s ex-Lloyds’ underwriter blotter,” said Jeremy. He uses it to prevent the ink from running on his certificates.