Former teacher, Tim Robertson went from teaching in schools to two decades with the life-saving charity the RNLI, when he was made redundant just prior to the Covid pandemic striking. In these most challenging of times, Tim was handed a life buoy and a fantastic career opportunity when he was appointed to help spearhead Dorset Council’s innovative 5G Rural Dorset project. Tim shines a light on how his background in education and charity has brought him into the public sector.
My role with Dorset Council is the latest change in direction for a very varied and interesting career that started in the primary classroom and always seems to be focussed on start-ups and innovation…
From teaching in a small school on the idyllic island of Sark for eight years to 18 years with the RNLI – I find myself at the age of 51 embarking on one of my most exciting journeys to date – working on the 5G Rural Dorset project.
How did I get from living and working on an island with just 500 people and no cars to three decades later trialling one of the most innovative schemes to benefit rural Dorset?
As a trainee teacher undergraduate, I specialised in scientific and environmental studies and although I’ve held many positions over the years, they have always had one thing in common – innovation.
My first job with the RNLI was as Regional Education Officer, recruiting and training volunteers and teaching young people about water safety.
After three successful years establishing youth education, my career took a different path when I was seconded to RNLI’s HQ in Poole to manage a complex IT project.
Digital continued to play a part in my career when this role led to the creation of the RNLI E-media team.
From then I had fundraising and marketing manager roles, before eventually joining the newly established Lifesaving Innovation team.
After a wonderful 18 years at the RNLI, I was made redundant in November 2019 – but I had already crossed paths with Dorset Council.
Earlier that year I was invited by the council to attend a workshop looking at connectivity challenges faced in rural Dorset and how 5G might help.
I spoke about the communication challenges search and rescue organisations faced and how better connectivity was essential to inform people of coastal risks and make it easier for them to call for help in emergencies.
This ‘Connected Coast’ idea was adopted by Dorset Council as one element of its bid for government funding to explore how 5G might benefit rural communities; and it advertised for project managers to support partners in delivering this.
Being familiar with the challenges, I knew the project manager job was ideal for me and I took up the role in April 2020.
After nearly a year, almost entirely under COVID lockdown conditions, I am pleased to have found myself part of a supportive and welcoming team.
Despite never having met many of them (face to face) they do genuinely feel like colleagues and friends.
If I had to choose one highlight so far, it would be the workshop session I hosted at the Dorset Innovation Park for 5G Rural Dorset members. It was one of very few opportunities to work together with partners in the same room.
Away from work, I’m a recently ‘empty nested’ father of three and my love of the coast extends beyond my career. I spend my spare time crewing a racing yacht and I volunteer as a Senior Instructor at Sutton Bingham Sailing Club.
I also sing with a four-part male acapella group and my partner and I took up cycle touring; completing a Lands End to John O’Groats trip and a ‘100 mile in a day’ challenge within a year.
Our most recent challenge is taking on a COVID puppy, who we are training to ride along with us in her own puppy trailer behind my bike!
I have lots to look forward to in my role for the 5G Rural Dorset team and if you’d like a flavour of the work we do, go to 5G RuralDorset and watch our video, which you can find on the home page.
We are recruiting. If, like Tim, you would like a career change and are passionate about the digital world why not apply to join us? We have new vacancies for a range of new digital projects, click here for more details Dorset Recruitment – Jobs and careers (dorsetcouncil.gov.uk)
I have worked in communications for 25 years, first as a journalist and then in public and private sector public relations. From Southampton originally, I have lived in beautiful Dorset for the last two decades. My passion for Dorset has also turned into a passion for landscape photography. My other great loves are my family and Southampton Football Club.