Mentoris writes: What’s the point?

Writing this column gives me the chance to look back on situations that have had an impact on me during my life both within and outside of optics. When looking back, the number of ‘Sliding Doors’ moments which defined my journey are quite astonishing. One wonders how different my life would have been if just one of those many moments had gone the other way.

One of these moments was my father getting a new job and needing to relocate when I was 16. My career was somewhat mapped out before that – economics, business studies and a few sciences would lead to a career in the business. Having to change schools to do A-levels elsewhere changed my outlook on life, new friends, new sports clubs and too many parties led to a drop in performance and results. This led me to leaving school after just one term of A-levels – instead leaving school to find a career.