Early Beginnings

I began my career in engineering. I was trained to operate machine tools, lathes, and milling machines. Over the years, I produced thousands of metal components and honed my skills to become a proficient machinist.

Transition to Sales

Eager to explore new avenues, I transitioned to a role as a sales engineer for GKN Stainless Fasteners. This experience broadened my horizons and provided valuable insights into the commercial side of engineering.

Venturing into Entrepreneurship

I then joined a smaller company that specialized in the rapid manufacture of special fasteners, catering to the urgent needs of oil and gas companies. Realizing the potential for a startup, I rented an industrial unit, purchased machine tools, and focused on challenging projects. My premise was simple: if it was difficult for me, it would be extremely difficult for others.

Business Education

Recognizing the need to improve my business acumen, I enrolled at Durham University to study business management. Courses in accountancy, marketing, and other subjects proved invaluable in guiding my company through its growth phases.

Our company grew, employing more people and evolving from special fasteners to toughened glass fittings for buildings. Our first major contract was for the glazing in the refurbished Lime St Station in Liverpool. This milestone was followed by prestigious projects such as The Hong Kong Sporting Club racecourse, The Baltimore Racetrack, and The Dallas Centre.

Innovative Projects

One of our significant achievements was the glazing for the Madrid Reina Sofia Museum lift shafts. This complex project involved suspending the glass wall from the supporting steelwork with load-bearing Inconel bars and stainless-steel fittings at every joint. This allowed the glass to move with temperature variations. I take great pride in this innovative design, which, to my knowledge, remains unique.

Japanese Electronics Market

We seized another opportunity when the EU and UK pressured Japanese electronics companies to source more local content. We manufactured VCR drums with a tolerance of 5 microns and a mirror finish, utilizing super precision CNC lathes in a temperature-controlled room.

Retirement and New Ventures

After selling my business, I retired to Spain. However, new opportunities continually presented themselves. I was not ready for a life of golf and drinking. I needed the stimulation of being in business.
During Spain's property boom, I connected UK buyers with Spanish developers, capitalizing on rapidly rising prices. I had a couple of very good years until the inevitable market crash.

Postal Consolidation Service

I then established a UK postal consolidation and tracking service for Far East internet sellers before online sales were as massive as they are now. This profitable venture flourished until the sellers began handling UK logistics themselves.

Facial Recognition and Security Systems

A redundancy situation led a friend to suggest developing a better clocking system based on fingerprint security. I designed a prototype using facial recognition and developed our unique WIWO software.

Queen Elizabeth Aircraft Carrier RO8

With our expertise in facial recognition technology, we won a DASA award for ‘Accounting for and Tracking of Personnel’ aboard the Queen Elizabeth aircraft carrier.

It was to produce a feasibility study and prototype using FR. We designed a very elegant solution to the navy’s problem. It was based on 20+ tablets on the gangways and around the ship that all updated each other in real-time. If any node was destroyed the system remained functioning under the most stressful conditions.
This FR technology extended to emergency services and vehicle security systems, though some projects were shelved due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

UVC Sterilization and High-Tech Devices

During Covid-19 most of the development funding ceased except for problems related to the pandemic. With funding from Innovate UK we developed UVC sterilization devices for payment terminal keypads, collaborating with universities and design houses. Despite delays and a shift in market urgency, we secured funding and continued innovating with high-tech devices.

Business Consultancy and M&A

As the pandemic persisted, I delved into business consultancy and mergers & acquisitions (M&A). I have been on many training courses and studied hard. I belong to a group of likeminded M&A specialist that I can call on and become JV partners. This has become my current focus, where I apply my 'blue sky' thinking to help companies in need of strategic direction.

I have done a lot of things and made lots of mistakes but I am still here.

There are opportunities everywhere if you have the right mindset to see them. In my early days in business, I was so busy ‘doing business’ I could not see the wood for the trees. After I retired, I had time to reflect on what I had done. With the new projects I started I realised that making money was not about working 12 hours a day 7 days a week but careful consideration and planning.

I think the founders of startups and SME owners do not get this because of time pressures. They do not have a clear plan for their exit – which will come sooner or later.

I can help them to think ‘outside the box’. To change to a better direction. To relieve their pressure points. Make their lives calmer and more fun.

So enough of the cliches - contact me.

Its all about fun and money and if either are missing – don’t do it!