Pioneers into Practice
This summer, Keele graduate James Geary will be taking part in the Pioneers into Practice programme run by Innovation Birmingham. The programme brings together academics, students, professionals and entrepreneurs from across the west midlands, the UK and Southern Ireland with the goal of tackling climate change. The UK programme is part of many across Europe including countries such as Italy, Spain, Germany, Poland, Hungary and the Netherlands involved.
Each ‘Pioneer’ takes place in a series of training workshops a domestic placement within the west midlands and an overseas placement in one of the European partner regions. In these, the pioneers work with host organisations and assist them on projects. From the placement pioneers learn a great deal about the issues surrounding climate change.
James will be working with the University of Warwick on a waste recycling and renewable energy project before travelling to Europe later in the year.
James started his company, Gears’ Oil Ltd through the SPEED Plus programme at Keele. The company’s mission is to produce high quality, bespoke products from locally grown raw materials. Last Summer was awarded a scholarship at Babson College, USA, as part of the Babson Entrepreneurship Programme funded by Santander.