A Bit About Me

Brought up by two designers.

Mum loves textiles and graphics (made those cushions), dad loves interior design and architecture (did those paintings).

Without even trying, they got me into many hobbies - cars, photography, product design and many more.

Born in Leamington, I grew up in the surrounding villages with my brother and sister, always playing outside.

Family remains incredibly important to me.

Age 17 I was fortunate enough to get my first car (2004), it had 4 gears and the engine was less than 1 Litre, and it brought many smiles.

The first thing I did was modify it as cost effectively as possible, using Photoshop!

Age 19 I started my Degree in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Birmingham (2006).

My focus turned quickly to the Formula Student team.

I helped design, make, test and compete with our single seater racing car. 

My final year project was a literature review on the machining of CFRP.

A-Level design, my music trolley gig-rig

Product Design application for Coventry Uni

Age 21 I moved to the Lake District to become an outdoor activity instructor (2009).

Helping to run corporate team building residentials, but also coaching underprivileged children, climbing with visually impaired elderly people, orienteering with young adults with learning difficulties, and sailing with physically disabled groups to list a few.

Age 22 I joined Coniston Mountain Rescue, attending emergency 'shouts' and skills training as a volunteer.

Most memorably helping people out of their flooded houses in Cockermouth, or hoisting a casualty back out of a disused quarry (2009).

Setting up a climb on the Old Man, Coniston

Climbing 'Jean Jeanie' in Lancashire

Scrambling up Jack's Rake, Pavey Ark

Climbing 'Cub's Groove' in the Langdales

Age 23 I organised a John Muir conservation event with a local woodland trust (2010).

A way to encourage young adults to be involved in and appreciate the outdoors.

Being close to nature helps me remember where we sit in the broad scale of things, and gives me a sense of perspective in times of challenge. 

Age 24 I started my first engineering job at Comau UK, based in Rugby, so I moved home (2012).

I was blessed with a fantastic boss who sat tirelessly teaching me the ropes. 

I quickly accepted a challenge to help on site, which started as 4 weeks to fill a gap in resource, ended up being 10 months.

Age 26 I started at Magna, near Burton-upon-Trent, earning my freedom from living at home (2014).

Recreating their internal cost calculator from scratch, we could now create accurate estimates and quotes. 

Living in Lichfield I was close to Cannock Chase, ideal for hiking, mountain biking or relaxing in a hammock with a book and a cuppa.

Age 27 I joined JLR to achieve a childhood ambition and moved to central Leamington (2015).

I became part of the Cost Engineering team, producing detailed estimates, visiting many suppliers, and running technical negotiations. 

This is Chesterton by night, hence the stars, and you might notice the people laying back staring up at them.

Winter mountain training, Plas y Brenin

Winter hike with my brother, near High Pike

Age 28 I started volunteering with a non-profit Duke of Edinburgh award provider (2016).

Training them to cook on stoves, put up tents, pack their rucksacks, read a map and plan an effective route. 

Ensuring their safety and successful expeditions for approx 200 young adults per year. Later also helping with a local Scout group. 

Age 30 I joined the JLR Sailing Association, was quickly voted onto the Committee as their Treasurer and Memberships rep (2018).

Doing multi-day trips, learning to sail a yacht, building the club a website and managing our accounts ever since has been a real pleasure, knowing that it helps get people out on the water. 

This pod of dolphins were off the coast of Plymouth.

Attempting to design my perfect house - one day!

My sister and I, strolling Bigbury Beach

Kayaking the river Avon near Bantham, Devon

Scrambling in Mallorca, for views of Cala St Vicente

Age 31 I moved into Vehicle Engineering at JLR (2019).

Helping deliver the product that I'm proudest of - the new Defender.

Assessing prototype vehicle performance, driven and non-driven attributes and features, and pulling any issues raised through to resolution. 

Age 32 I realised a dream in Norway, travelling up to the Arctic Circle (Tromsø, 2020) to experience the days when the sun doesn't come up, and take photos of the Northern Lights.

Embracing the space we're lucky to inhabit calls on a deep rooted instinct. 

I love winter trips, beit mountaineering, or kayaking on frozen Scottish rivers.

Heading to SW4 music festival, Clapham

Waiting for Duke of Edinburgh pick ups, Long Mynd

Paddling across at low tide to finish our ride, Wonwell

Cycling a lap of Gili Trawangan, Bali

Age 35 I qualified as a Day Skipper so I can lead a crew on day passages, sailing between marinas (2023).

The learning may never stop as there are so many elements to master, especially the leadership side.

Age 36 I joined the UX Evaluation team at JLR, focussed on our all-new electric Jaguars, and keeping up to date on what our competitors offer (2023).

I've been a huge fan of the Jaguar brand since childhood, I aspired to be a car designer, and although this might be the closest I get, it's very satisfying to say.

3 seasons I've worked with the Bowler Defender Rally tech team as pit crew now including being selected as refuelling supervisor at the Spanish Baja event. Customers and tech team had fantastic times at every race, pulling together to keep cars running time after time, no matter the conditions.