New Blades is an annual model-making exhibition and recruitment fair held in London each year, showcasing the work of graduating students from various UK universities and colleges. It's a key event for connecting emerging talent in the model-making industry with employers and professionals. The event is organized by 4D Modelshop, a major supplier to British model makers.

This is the first time the Design & Technology Association has attended this exhibition but it certainly won’t be the last. In this podcast we talk with students, university lecturers and industry professionals as we seek to follow each student interviewed on their journey from inspiration, through school and university, to a career in architecture, film and other exciting related industries.

This podcast was recorded in a crowded exhibition on mobile recording equipment, I believe it successfully captures the excitement and bustle of a crowded centre, but the sound may not be on a par with our usual standard; I hope you can appreciate why.

We reference many of the student models on show in our conversations, these can be seen in their full glory through this link:

https://www.designtechnology.org.uk/news/new-blades-2025-celebrates-the-next-generation-of-modelmakers/

Huge thanks to Arachne.digital your cyber threat intelligence platform for their support that makes these podcasts possible. Contact them for a free appraisal of your school’s cyber security.

This is a very different venture for Designed for Life. It’s one we are keen to replicate should you, the listener feel it appropriate. We would really appreciate your feedback, positive or otherwise to designedforlife@designtechnology.org.uk

The Smallpeice Trust is a charity dedicated to inspiring young people to explore careers in science and engineering. It was founded in 1966 by the British engineer and entrepreneur Dr. Cosby Smallpeice (who invented the Smallpeice Lathe). The trust exists to help young people turn their passion and ideas into reality.

In 1991, a group of committed headteachers came together, motivated by the conviction that Design & Technology was not receiving the profile it deserved as an incubator for future innovators, engineers, and technical designers (how I wish times had changed), and the Arkwright Engineering Scholarships began.

In 2001, the Arkwright Engineering Scholarships programme was transferred to the Smallpeice Trust, with the two organisations officially merging on 4 January 2018.

Helen Cuthill assumed the role of CEO of the Smallpeice Trust in November 2023. Helen arrived with a diverse background of experiences and an excellent track record in the not-for-profit sector. She has exceptional strategic capabilities, proven operational effectiveness, and substantial experience within the charity sector. She has an innovative and community-driven work ethic, blending purpose with enjoyment and a sense of fun.

In this podcast, we follow Helen’s somewhat unorthodox route to CEO at Smallpeice, discuss the impact that dyslexia has had on her schooling and career to date; her email footer reads as below:

I’m #MadeByDyslexia – expect BIG thinking and SMALL typos. It helps me to send and receive emails that use short paragraphs and highlighted requests.

We discuss how she is working to make the work of the Smallpeice Trust, specifically the Arkwright Scholarships, more inclusive to all by bringing opportunities to young people rather than waiting for them to come to Smallpeice.

This is a very full conversation with a sector leader who is 100% authentic and is willing to be vulnerable as she and the organisation seek to progress. I loved the conversation, and I believe you will too.

So, sit back, listen wherever you have the time and with an open mind, and enjoy‘'Designed for Life’' in conversation with Smallpeice Trust CEO Helen Cuthill.

https://www.smallpeicetrust.org.uk/

British Dyslexia Association - https://www.bdadyslexia.org.uk/dyslexia/about-dyslexia/what-is-dyslexia

Many people familiar with this podcast will recognise the name 'F1 in Schools', a design, teamwork and engineering challenge that has existed in schools for over two decades. Some of you will have competed in either regional or, if you are fortunate enough, national finals. Others...I want to say the elite few, as getting there is some achievement, will have made it to the world finals, held to coincide with an F1 race somewhere in the world and closely aligned to the FIA.

I would suggest very few of you know just how this design and engineering challenge came about, how it has grown and constantly exceeded expectations and just who is the founder, Andrew Denford and what drives him to keep pushing this challenge to greater heights.

Finally, why has such a seemingly brilliantly branded initiative recently changed its name and branding from 'F1 in Schools' to 'STEM Racing'?

This episode will bring the answer to all these queries, and more as we bring Andrew Denford, Chief Executive Officer of Denford Ltd., and Founder of Stem Racing back to school and then follow his journey into engineering, taking over the family business at a relatively early age, and how he got the idea that racing a small but carefully precision engineered CO2 powered car down a twenty metre track at speed may be something that schools and colleges might buy into.

It's a great story, filled with a few twists and tales that I know you'll enjoy. So sit back and enjoy, Designed for Life - In conversation with Denford CEO and Founder of STEM Racing, Andrew Denford.

https://www.stemracing.com/

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