Complex sentence: Edward Thompson came from an academic background having taken Mechanical Science Tripos at Pembroke College, Cambridge, unlike his predecessor Nigel Gresley who gained practical experience as a pupil at Horwich Works.
Split into simpler sentences: Edward Thompson came from an academic background having taken Mechanical Science Tripos at Pembroke College, Cambridge. This is unlike is predecessor Nigel Gresley who gained practical experience as a pupil at Horwich Works.