I spent the first 19 years of my career at Midland/HSBC (1985 – 2004) in retail, commercial and also a short stint in corporate banking, working across Dorset and Hampshire in various roles including branch, operational, line, commercial lending and relationship management.
This ignited my passion for helping customers develop and grow their businesses which led me to Business Link and over the last 19 years I have subsequently worked in various business support delivery and management roles, initially as an accredited Business Link Advisor and Customer Relationship Manager, then subsequently running my own Business Advisory Service and Consultancy as an approved Access to Finance Coach, helping senior leaders of SME businesses develop their strategic and business plans, leverage funding and manage improvement projects in their businesses.
I then went on to manage the delivery of the Dorset Business Growth Hub support service, including overseeing the Dorset Engineering and Manufacturing Cluster and Inward Investment activities and other funded projects. Most recently, I delivered the Dorset High Value Manufacturing Advisory Programme for South West Manufacturing Advisory Service, providing advice, support and grant funding for established and growing Manufacturing and Engineering SME businesses to help improve their productivity and competitiveness.
I am a Qualified Chartered Manager (CMgr) and member of the Chartered Management Institute, and also a member of the Institute of Consulting and the Institute of Leadership.
Away from work, I enjoy spending time with my two now grown up sons (and also my wife occasionally!) attending and sometimes taking part in various motorsport events, including track days, supercar driving experiences and also the London to Brighton classic car run. At weekends, our dog Milly does a good job of keeping me active, with long walks in the countryside and of course several coffee breaks and pub stops along the way!