Born in Rugby in 1958, I studied at Portsmouth Grammar School before starting my career at sea with Shell Tankers in September 1975 as a deck cadet; studying for a Second officers certificate of competency at Warsash Maritime centre, which I gained in 1978. I stayed with Shell tankers, serving on a variety of vessels trading Worldwide, including Tankers, Bulk Carriers and vessels serving the Brent Spar installation in the North Sea, and left in March 1986 after obtaining my MCA Class 1 Master Mariner Unlimited qualification.

 

After leaving Shell I set up a live aboard Charter business, operating a variety of angling and fishing vessels in the English Channel, Channel Islands and north coast of France for the next 8 years; during this period I also completed the conversion of a 50 foot ex fishing vessel with 12 berths and cooking facilities for charter use, built a 33foot GRP catamaran from a bare hull - the first of its type to be operated on the south coast, and wrote articles for a number of national leisure publications.

 

In March 1994 I moved with my family to Shetland and joined the NAFC Marine Centre as a lecturer in nautical studies, being promoted to senior lecturer in 1997 and section leader in 1999 with responsibility for all nautical courses. In June 2001 I completed a Teaching Qualification in Further Education (TQFE) through Stirling University, and obtained a BA in Tertiary Education with Merit.

 

I developed the specification, negotiated the contract and oversaw the installation and commissioning of the new bridge simulation complex in March 2002. In 2003 I took responsibility for the whole of the nautical and engineering department, overseeing the cadet programme to its successful introduction in September 2004, and the re-branding of the department as Shetland School of Nautical Studies early in 2005.

 

I really enjoy the challenges that leading SSNS presents and am proud of the contribution we make to young peoples careers and Shetlands maritime tradition.