I was born in Penrith and have lived in the Eden Valley all of my life never more than 10 miles from Penrith. Whilst rooted in Cumbria I have travelled extensively but always looked forward to returning home and have lived in my current house for almost 40 years.

My wife, Marie, is a former magistrate who chaired both adult and youth courts for 21 years, she also sat on appeals in the Crown Court. After attaining a bachelor degree in law LLB (Hons) she studied for a master’s degree (LLM) in International law specialising in Human Rights and Humanitarian law. Together we have 3 grown up children and 6 grandchildren.
I was educated at High Hesket primary school and after passing the 11plus moved to Penrith Queen Elizabeth Grammar School where I became deputy head boy.

After leaving school I trained as Chartered Accountant and was one of the founding partners of a local firm of Chartered Accountants. When we started there were 3 of us and 8 clients, when I retired in 2018 we had 170 staff and annual fee income in excess of £7M. I am now fully retired but have been granted life membership of the Institute of Chartered Accountants.
I have been a trustee of Voluntary Action Cumbria for almost 20 years, a director of Appleby Community Enterprises for 10 years and I was trustee of Appleby Training and Heritage Centre for 20 years until its closure in 2020. I have recently become a governor at Appleby Grammar School.

I am an active member of Appleby Rotary club having held the posts of president, secretary and currently treasurer. During my time in Rotary I have taken part in an aid convoy to Mali, which included visiting Timbuktu, and have been on an excursion to the most northerly Rotary club in Russia, Murmansk. This together with my community work earned me a Paul Harris Fellowship.
My theme for my year as High Sheriff is “Youth Opportunities”

The last two years during the pandemic have been difficult for everyone but particularly so for students in education and those embarking on their careers. I would like to focus on both recreational activities and educational opportunities. The young are our future and we need to not only pass on our skills and knowledge but understand their concerns and aspirations for the future.