Raised on a farm, educated to PhD level at Durham University, briefly became an academic, then a church pastor, then a businessman, then a Mergers & Acquisitions advisor worldwide, setting up corporate finance firms in 15 countries. Have lectured in M&A for Cranfield, several international law firms, several universities, Institute of Management accountants, numerous mentoring and training firms.

I have spoken professionally in 30 countries, as chairman of a charity in 5 more (India, USA, Canada, Romania, Argentina). I have been a keen rock climber and target shooter since the age of 15. These, also, have given me an opportunity to see the world.

I made a tentative return to the academic world in 2018 and ended up publishing with 2 universities by the end of the year. This reflects my continuing interest in the poetry of Ted Hughes and Sylvia Plath.

Current Positions

• Chairman of the International Map Collectors Society (IMCoS). Chairing 2024 Malta Symposium
• Council Member of the Ted Hughes Society. Presented at the 9th International Ted Hughes Conference 2022 and at the Sorbonne in June 2023.
• Fellow of the Institute of Directors
• Elected member of the Climbers Club of Great Britain

I speak on these 3 main areas - HOBBY & HUMOUR Humorous Overseas experiences, Antique Maps, Detective Fiction, Modern Poetry, India, MILITARY Battlefields, Great Military Blunders, BUSINESS Valuing companies, Selling companies and the pitfalls, Buying companies and the pitfalls, Developing negotiation skills.