I serve as a Trustee representing the Bishop and Diocese of Newcastle-Upon-Tyne.

Born and bred in the North East, I served for 12 years in the Royal Navy as a pilot in both fixed and rotary wing aircraft. I served operationally around the world including in Northern Ireland, Iraq and latterly in support of the campaign in Afghanistan.

Retiring in 2011, I started a bespoke software business that grew rapidly and was sold as a group of companies in 2016. I have invested in 10 North East technology companies and am on the board of around half of those.

I am the co-founder and Chairman of the dedicated Northern policy think tank - Policy North. I run a private charitable foundation and live and manage a country hall and estate in mid-Northumberland. I have a passion for investing in our children as future technologists and entrepreneurs.