Having graduated from Oxpoly in 1979, I started my career working for a national planning consultancy. I progressed through the ranks from planning assistant and bag carrier to a full equity partner, opening and running an office for the practice in Leeds. However, in 1990 dissatisfaction with the way the Partnership was run, the lure of independence and propulsion by a dare led me to establish my own practice. I have now been pottering along, plying my trade independently for 32 years. I am a general practitioner, but I have become known for dealing with town centres and retail development. I am appointed an Expert by the High Streets Task Force. I do much the same sort of work as I did in 1990 but nowadays I do it better and with more panache.

Outside of work I have an enduring interest in the delights of older motor cars, I make models professionally and for the last 26 years I have been learning to play the piano accordion, unsuccessfully.