Page 5 - Through a glass brightly

Ann Eggington (Ann)
After QEGGS, I studied physics at the University of Sussex (the first of the new universities), and then undertook research for a DPhil in theoretical physics (on liquid helium at very low temperatures). I followed this with two years as a postdoctoral research fellow at an international research institute near Munich, with the additional benefits of a chance to learn to understand better perspectives on issues viewed from the centre of Europe and to enjoy the city and day trips to walk in the mountains.
From 1973-76, I taught physics to undergraduates at Somerville
College, Oxford (at that time still a women’s college). It was,
however, even then, very hard to obtain permanent academic positions anywhere, and I decided to change career track, looking for an opportunity for demanding and varied work with a public sector dimension.
Fortunately (if surprisingly) I found it in the Civil Service, as an administrator, developing and implementing government policy. I moved to London and, between 1977-2005, worked in Department of Energy and then Department of Trade and Industry, in a variety of positions, mainly on energy topics (from energy efficiency to privatisation of the electricity industry) and on regulation of anti-competitive behaviour in the economy.
In 2005 I reluctantly retired, having reached the (then) mandatory retirement age. Fortunately in 2006, I obtained a post at the International Energy Agency in Paris, where I worked until 2011, when I reached their mandatory retirement age. This was a very enjoyable period with interesting analytical work and travel to destinations usually less accessible - and the opportunity, which I exploited to the full, to get to know Paris well.(Val and Ruth visited me in Paris and I was able to show them some interesting corners, of which they were previously unaware).
Having undergone a second retirement, I moved back to my terraced house in south London, where I have lived, single, since 1978.Up until ‘lockdown’ I really enjoyed the city-cinema, fringe theatre, talks museums etc.- as well as classes at the local gym and walks in the countryside with my Ramblers group.
Patricia Gadd neé Jervis (Pat)
4