After leaving Imperial in 1963, Dr Geoffrey Nicholson (PhD Chemistry 1963) made the difficult decision to leave the UK to go to the US where he worked at 3M Corporation until 2001. He remains a 3M Ambassador for Innovation. He was instrumental in the development and manufacturing of many of 3M products. Dr Nicholson was the Father of 3M's Post-it Notes and was instrumental in the development of the Post-it product line, overcoming all the challenges of getting a product into the hands of the customer.
What did you learn during your time at Imperial, in class or out?
"I learnt about the breadth of technology and was fortunate enough to be taught by four Nobel Prize winners. My time at Imperial taught me how to tackle and solve problems."
What are your career highlights?
"My career highlights include several patents, being the Father and Champion of Post-it Notes and becoming the Visiting Professor at National University of Singapore."
What are you most proud of in your life?
"I am most proud of the opportunity to become a Vice President at 3M and lead 2,500 technical people. Now that I have retired, I would like to continue to give lectures on Innovation wherever requested."
Do you have a favourite quote or saying?
“Research is the transformation of money into knowledge; innovation is the transformation of knowledge into money.”
“Sometimes it is better to ask for forgiveness than to ask for permission.”
What would be your advice for current students?
"The students should seize the opportunity to get the best education they can at one of the best universities in the world, Imperial College."
Geoffrey's favourite quote
“Sometimes it is better to ask for forgiveness than to ask for permission.”