Stuart Brear
Telecommunications and business services executive and consultant, Stuart Brear, studied at Bradford Technical College for one year full-time from 1964 to 1965, then attended on a day release until 1970, when he qualified as an electrician.
Stuart first came to Bradford College in September 1964
as a full-time student on the BITS, Electrical Installation ‘A’ Certificate course.
“Out of all the years at Bradford College, the full time year
was the most interesting and rewarding. The course was
designed for people like me leaving school without GCEs
(no hopers!) but with a guarantee of an apprenticeship
on successful completion and ‘A’ Certificate. My results
were among the best because of the way the course and
lectures bridged the academic to practical gap.
It was the era of ‘swinging sixties’ so there were many
distractions and I used to get across to the Art College
as often as possible to work peeling potatoes to earn an
extra couple of bob a week as there were no grants in
those days. My Father got the massive sum of £12 for me
for the year! I got half a crown a day (12.5p)!
I actually got sacked from peeling spuds because I left
them in the machine too long so I could speed up the
peeling but wasted too much potato - my first experience
of the commercial world and system processes.”
Stuart then began as an apprentice JIB Journeyman
Electrician working for Inman Joist, attending College on
day release. After a couple of years this company was
taken over by another Bradford based company, Smith
and Croft Ltd, where he continued and completed his
apprenticeship.
In 1970 after qualifying as an electrician, Stuart joined
N G Bailey & Co Ltd. He was appointed as Draughtsman
in their drawing office where he progressed through
Senior Draughtsman to Design Engineer, holding various
technical support positions leading to Design Team
Leader in 1980. In 1978, after 4 years part-time study at
Leeds Polytechnic he was awarded a BSc.
Stuart then became Senior Design Engineer and was
made Manager responsible for Technical Engineering
Services throughout the company. In 1982 he was
appointed Associate Director (N G Bailey Co Ltd) and
General Manager, Telecommunications. In 1985 Bailey
Telecommunications formed as a separate business
within the Bailey Group, and Stuart became General
Manager progressing to Chief Executive/Managing
Director of Bailey Telecom Ltd.
After leading the business
and company for 15years, Stuart moved to Unity Electric
International, based in New York with an office in Canary
Wharf. From 2000 he worked for Unity / Uni-Data in
London and Leeds as General Manager.
“In 2003 I left the Company and formed my own
consultancy, Hawk Communications and Business
Services Ltd, where I have worked providing both
consultancy and executive line management positions in
telecommunications and business services to a number
of clients. I am currently contracted to Carillion plc as
Regional Director (London) in their IT Services Company.”
Photograph supplied by Stuart Brear