Mary-Clare Bushell received a first class degree in Physics from the University of Surrey. This was followed by a PhD. and a period of scientific research as a Regional Health Authority Fellow. In 1988, she joined SMIS Ltd., a high technology electronics company which designed and manufactured instrumentation for medical research and for non-destructive testing. Whilst working for SMIS, she studied for an MBA with the Open University, this included modules on Manufacturing and the Management of Change.

For the last five years she was Operations Director and as such, was responsible for quality throughout the company. The role included: contract negotiations including proposal preparation, costing and pricing, control of the Projects Office, with responsibility for orders from receipt to customer acceptance, responsibility for the manufacturing process, including production, goods in, goods out, stores and stock control, support of the design and development of new innovative products, customer support from the initial enquiry stage through to after sales service and support.

Mary-Clare was directly involved in the introduction of ISO9000 systems and procedures within the company and for their on-going maintenance and review. The company was successfully awarded ISO9001 in 1996. She was the Quality Representative for the last four years and understands the benefits and the challenges that quality systems and procedures can offer a company.

In January 2000, Mary-Clare joined QM&T as a Consultant.