Mrs Natalie Sobey

My technical career started in 2002 at the age of 19. From school I was always interested in science. After finishing my A-Levels in Biology, Chemistry and Physics I decided to take a year out and this was where my first technical role started. I worked as a science technician at my secondary school to cover someone on maternity leave. After the year was up, I went on to do an Analytical Chemistry degree at Plymouth University. Following my degree, I worked at Mast Carbon as an Analytical Chemist, where I ran my own lab. They specialised in activated carbon cloth, beads, powder and rods. After a few years I then moved onto a new technical role at Plymouth Marine Laboratories. 
In 2009, I saw an opportunity to be a technical assistant for the Peninsula Dental School at Plymouth University. I must admit I knew nothing about dentistry but I had transferable skills. I had a lot to learn but straight away I knew they would benefit from my organisation skills and attention to detail. I worked within their phantom head room where the students practice before treating patients.
Fast forward almost 15 years, I am now the Faculty Clinical Skills Technical Manager for the Faculty of Health at Plymouth University. I oversee all clinical skills for Dentistry, Nursing and Midwifery in Exeter, Plymouth and Truro. I manage a team of 12 technicians across three sites. I really enjoy my job and love the people I work with. In 2021 I was lucky enough to win a Papin Prize for my Contribution to Teaching and completed the inaugural Herschel Programme – for females in Technical Leadership in July 2022. 

In July 2023, I was accepted with a scholarship on the Executive Programme in Strategic Technical Leadership, which was run by the University of Nottingham. This programme gave me the opportunity to enhance my understanding of of the UK Higher Education sector, it's current affairs and evolving landscape for technical staff. Through this I am now part of the first Strategic Technical Leader Network through the UK institute for Technical Skills and Strategy.