Keith J Thompson‌

Profile

Biography

I was born in Newcastle-upon-Tyne and grew up in Wetherby, Lincolnshire and Harrogate. I played for Bradford Bantams FC and trailed for Sheffield Wednesday, Arsenal, Leeds United, Huddersfield Town and Nottingham Forest.

Under the guidance of England and Yorkshire cricketer, Peter Kippax, I also played for the Yorkshire Colts under-16s cricket team until the age of 18.

I attended Royal Navy flight training at RAF Biggin Hill, but declined the offer to become a Flight Lieutenant at the age of 21.

My working life started with 2 jobs: the Leeds Road Post Office behind the counter part time and a full-time job at Hill Cannon Partnership Consulting Engineers. I trained to be a young Civil Engineer Technician passing my ONC (1988) and HNC in Civil Engineering (1990) and set up my own business (Thompson Design Ltd) in 1990 completing the design of various building structures throughout the UK & the World.

I have had bipolar disorder since 1990 and in that time have had 14 manic episodes and two episodes of depression to date. I closed my Civil Structural Engineering business down in 2018, but still work for the University of York, TEWV Mental NHS Trust, Sheffield
University and McPin Charity in London as well as doing various other mental health research work on a self employed basis through my current business KJTCAD.

I have been an active member of the SUPA Group since January 2009 and I am currently the Chairman of the group.