Campus Community: Mickey Garrod
York Biotech Campus is home to leading organisations spanning the bioscience sector, including agri-tech, food biotechnology, and healthcare. This diverse range of businesses brings a variety of job roles and people to the site.
Few individuals embody the ethos of YBC quite like Mickey Garrod, Facilities and Workplace Services Lead at Defra Group Property. As one of the longest-serving members onsite, having joined what was then CSL (Central Science Laboratories) in 1999 in the Estates department, Mickey is truly part of the fabric of the campus and over the years played a vital role in its operations.
Overseeing project management for Defra and APHA, he is something of an oracle when it comes to the site. In this blog, we explore Mickey’s responsibilities, his greatest achievements, and his impactful charity work as a Trustee for Ryedale Special Families
Tell us about your job role?
“I work for Defra Group Property as part of the Defra Complex Sites team, managing facilities and workplace services across multiple sites for Defra and APHA, including here at YBC. The sites I help look after are some of the most technical and complex sites that Defra and APHA own or occupy! Think laboratories, ex-World War II chemical weapons development sites – now nature reserves – and even underground caves. As far as I know, I’m the only Facilities Manager responsible for caves—it’s a varied job, to say the least!
“As I look after sites across the UK, my job involves a lot of travelling between the likes of YBC, to North Wales and Gloucestershire. My main responsibilities will be troubleshooting problems and managing projects. I act as the liaison between the site occupants and our National FM contractors or local FM teams.”
How did you start working at YBC? Where were you before?
“I’ve been based at the site that is now known as YBC since it began 26 years ago! My journey began in January 1999 as a Facilities Management Helpdesk Administrator for the Central Science Agency which was based at YBC at the time. Over time, I worked my way up through various positions, including a long tenure at Fera before moving to Defra Estates. Even now, my role keeps evolving, which is part of what keeps it exciting.”
What’s your favourite thing about YBC?
“The people! With remote working, site visits, and hybrid schedules, it’s always great to return to a site and catch up with colleagues – some of whom I’ve known for over 25 years!”
What do you do in your spare time?
“I’m a passionate advocate for children, young adults, and families with social, physical, or learning difficulties. I serve as a Trustee for Ryedale Special Families (RSF), a charity supporting young people and families with additional needs. As a parent of a young person with autism and learning difficulties, I understand the challenges first-hand and love to support others.”
What is your biggest achievement in your charity work?
“As part of the RSF trustees, we’ve raised funds to purchase land in Pickering for a brand-new and improved base. We have started building work and are now raising money to finish our new building. This new space will run a wide variety of activities including group sessions and individual support, as well as activities for disabled young adults in our Ryedale Supported Futures programme. The facility will be fully accessible and include sensory spaces, parent-friendly areas, and a fantastic outdoor area to socialise in. It’s something I’m incredibly proud of.”
“Want to help? Our ‘Buy a Brick’ campaign is well underway. Check out the RSF website – you might even spot a picture of me and my dog!”
Thanks to Mickey for taking part in our Campus Community series. If you would like to get involved and share your story at YBC, or nominate someone else, please email: [email protected]