I’m a semi-retired television and digital app producer, specialising in both children’s and adult education. I got to thank my family for collecting a BAFTA around ten years ago, a big moment, but not as important to me as having given the chance to diverse and often first-time talent to enter the industry. Twenty to forty-somethings are almost bound to have watched some of my programmes at school made for ITV, Channel Four and BBC. More recently, I’ve worked on apps for a well-known worldwide chain of schools, taking me to film on four continents.  I am an expert in interfaith education and am often found in the local mosque, gurdwara or mandir. I’ve been a trustee in three charities, which have in common providing equitable futures and removing barriers within education. I continue to work for inclusion within television as a member of The Royal Television Society Committee. I advise two local universities on curriculum matters to make undergraduate courses more industry-friendly. 

My wife and two sons are at the centre of a very fulfilling family life, always living in the West Midlands. I am a passionate runner, in the top forty world rankings for marathons for my age until I had prostate cancer. My diagnosis came in late 2023, just three weeks after my fastest-ever marathon, and without any symptoms. Solihull Tackle, my most local group, gave support when I needed it most, and I’m very motivated to give something back by making the most of my lived experience and professional and trustee skills. You may know my voice from public service announcements ranging from reversing lorries to ascending lifts and countless TV documentaries.   

As a trustee, I am known for my attention to detail. I tend to listen quite hard before I contribute, respecting others’ views but being able to synthesise alternative, often creative, responses to issues that others often find refreshing, though may find challenging. I think this is my role: to understand first, then to offer critical challenges that might further the work of the charity. Such a challenge must be in the manner of a ‘critical friend’, respecting the paid professionals. I have been a trusted confidant of CEOs in all my charity positions; each would tell you that I am empathetic and compassionate. As an MD myself, I understand the loneliness of making decisions and think I can catalyse senior professional officers in their quest to make Tackle the very best that it can be. I am passionate about the aims of the National Federation of Prostate Cancer Support Groups. I consider myself incredibly fortunate to have had excellent and timely surgery and want to use the opportunity that my current good prognosis provides to help others to be in my position.  

I have broad, long-term experience of being a charity trustee. I have been part of working groups that deal with communication harnessing my professional skills as a digital and television producer. I have extensive experience in press and public relations, training senior professionals in several sectors on making the most of press and PR opportunities including managing the press in difficult circumstances. I am known for my excellence in public speaking in person and on camera. Additionally, having run small businesses for over twenty-five years, I have a sound working knowledge of company finance and accounting. In both my trustee and professional roles, I have sound experience of HR management. I have extensive expertise in faith and religious matters, with a good understanding of the religious drive of the major faith groups in the UK and how this might affect their response to Tackle’s support, awareness and campaigns.