Behind everyone is a story of how they came to be. Here's mine.

Web Citizen

Since the late '90s I have worked on the web focussing on user-centred design. I made my first site in 1998. Fortunately, the fate of Tripod means that it is obscured from public view, saving your eyes and mine; here's hoping the Internet Archive never gets to resurrect those disasters.

I am a qualified teacher, trainer and coach. As a coach I am an accredited member of the International Coaching Federation, and member of the European Mentoring and Coaching Council.

Tune In, Drop Out

Music is my biggest passion. In 2013, after 7 years Here There Be Monsters split. I was a guitarist in the band for 3 years, co-managed the band and distribution label Black Match Records with life-long friend and illustrator Anthony Giles. We released 2 eps and a live album; all are available for free on bandcamp, toured the UK and Europe and got to share a stage with some of our favourite artists, and some that we didn't like so much.

Between 1999 and 2002 I was Sound Engineer, Booker and Promoter at The Forum, Tunbridge Wells. I ran the local talent series Monday Night Showcase for two years, started numerous short lived side projects, collaborated on youth action schemes with the Arts Council and Muzikanski. I went on tour with several UK acts and once got snowed in for an entire weekend with only the contents of the bar, a fan heater for warmth and half a pack of wine gums.

During the pandemic along with many others, I became a donor to keep the venue alive and as of the end of 2021 it's still there. What it means to have a brick in the wall next to the stage with my name on it is hard to communicate.

Take a picture, it will last longer

For many years I was a freelance music journalist and photographer. I worked for all kinds of music related organisations and bands from the underground scene.

As a joke (which backfired), I created a street photography project called Trash Flavoured Trash = Trash Flavoured Trash, named after a song by one of the greatest bands of all time, The Blood Brothers.

Somehow it became insanely popular across the internet, with people immitating my style and subject of choice, dumpsters. I was interviewed by national UK press and ended up BBC news talking about it.

Oh, and there's this work thing

I've had a 20+ year career in all things relating to the web. From building servers, to information architect, web designer, developer, UX Designer, Service Designer, User Researcher, I've covered it wide and deep.

During my career I've worked for some pretty big names in the industry including Government Digital Service (GDS), CX Partners, FutureGOV, Manifesto and winning NET Magazine design awards at both Clearleft and Lightmaker.

I have lectured on UX Design and design careers at Universities, and presented at conferences a couple of times about interesting stuff like Responsive Design and using Photographs to tell stories on the web.

I was part of the first generation of web and UX people, and now want to focus my time on supporting the next generations make meaingful products and services that make a difference to all of us today, or in the future.