AN EXPERIENCED engineer has been coaxed out of retirement to provide his expertise to an ambitious company.

For nearly 40 years, Mark Robinson worked at global defence giants BAE Systems, and its predecessor businesses, at the company’s Barrow site with almost half of that term in a management capacity.

Having retired in 2019, Mark was tempted back into the world of work after being approached by Cumbrian engineering firm Forth.

He brings a wealth of experience in engineering to his new position having played roles in developing some of the UK’s best-known submarines, including the Dreadnought class which is set to become the Navy’s lead boat.

Mark said: “I took early retirement and a lot of people told me that I would get fed up if I didn’t have anything to do! It didn’t affect me too much but I did start delivering for a local chemist, and then I met up with a couple of people from Forth and they explained they wanted some help and that, with my background, I could assist them in certain areas.

“I told them I was only prepared to help if I could add value to the team, and they were keen to get me to have an overview of what the business was doing and advise on how to improve practices.

“I went to meet the team and put a plan together to incorporate some of the changes I suggested and it’s been really encouraging to see the way they have taken on board everything I have said and it’s clear this is a team which wants to continuously improve.

“I wanted to be part of a team which is really enthusiastic and motivated, and they have demonstrated that they are very passionate about growing their business and becoming a real leader in the industry.”

He has been working predominantly with the company’s Barrow branch, and Operations Director Tony Sneesby said Mark has immediately made a significant impact.

Tony said: “To have somebody with Mark’s knowledge and expertise working with us is a major coup for a business the size of Forth.

“We have ambitions to grow and develop our strong reputation in the industry across the world, and Mark’s wealth of experience and contacts will continue to open doors and provide opportunities to expand.”