ELLEN Harper joined Poolpod Products, which provides dignified access to swimming pools for those with restricted mobility, in 2018. She was chosen as one of five Engineers on a Mission for Tomorrow’s Engineers Week which starts today. Now in her masters year of her product design engineering degree at Strathclyde University, Ellen hopes to continue working with the company when she graduates.

Name: Ellen Harper

Age: 22

Position: Product design engineer

HOW DID YOU GET INVOLVED IN THE BUSINESS?

IT started as the result of a design brief by the 2012 Olympic Authority. Everything out there didn’t match up to what people with mobility issues wanted and their level of independence.

Poolpod was created first and then I came in when the company expanded. We’re creating products that will address wider issues of the experience of swimming and making it more accessible for the whole journey from the car park to getting into the water.

I am in my masters year of a product design engineering degree at Strathclyde University right now. I have always wanted to design products and I love to make an impact on people. I have worked at Poolpod for a year.

I approached the company in fourth year for my university project and in May that year I started an internship. I want to continue with this when I have graduated.

WHAT IS YOUR TARGET MARKET?

THE thing with Poolpod is it has an inclusive target. We’re trying to remove the stigma of disabled access. It can help anyone with restricted mobility which includes people who are older, pregnant or have just had surgery.

It’s aimed at people who are isolated from existing products out there and people who don’t have that access.

Feedback has been absolutely amazing. You don’t realise until you face it yourself how much it means to people to swim without a lifeguard watching the whole time. It makes a big difference.

HOW IS IT DIFFERENT FROM COMPETING BUSINESSES?

THE broad spectrum of people that it appeals to and the fact it removes the stigma of a disabled product. Lots of people don’t want to use competing products because they are not disabled. Other products are usually clinical and industrial in design. Poolpod is designed by engineers so it is designed with the user in mind with a modern aesthetic.

There’s so much attention to detail – every element down to the handles has been thought about.

IS SCOTLAND A GOOD PLACE FOR THIS TYPE OF BUSINESS?

SCOTLAND is quite an innovation hub. There are so many companies now and lots of funding from the Government.

Society in general is also becoming more aware of being inclusive. Many companies are selling globally from Scotland.

Poolpod is in the majority of continents apart from Africa. It’s a small company still based at an industrial estate in Glasgow but we’re trying to up our manufacturing capabilities because of high demand.

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT WORKING FOR THE BUSINESS?

I LOVE the in-depth thinking involved. I’m always thinking about how to make things better and constantly learning on the spot.

I have applied my knowledge to my degree because I have learned so much about making a difference in people’s lives. It’s a very satisfying job.

WHAT IS THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE FOR THE BUSINESS?

APPEALING to everyone is a big challenge but the biggest appeal as well. We need to design something for the smallest person and the biggest person to use so the product may extend out or collapse in to cater for that.

People can adapt it to their own fit. The best thing is to get users in to try out the products and sit on them as you never know how it will work until you do that.

WHERE DO YOU HOPE THE BUSINESS WILL BE IN 10 YEARS’ TIME?

I HOPE it will expand in general so they can get products out across the globe and expand the product catalogue.

We want all leisure facilities to be made easier for people with restricted access.

We want to be the go-to company for designing a pool, the expert in all pool accessibility needs and the port of call for accessibility.