A Brentford heart, a business head and a community spirit
Born in Chiswick, brought up in Hounslow, I have supported Brentford FC since the beginning of the 1960s when my father first took me to Griffin Park.
My business career has given me 30 years experience in industry, in the public, private and voluntary sectors. Having qualified as a chartered engineer with BAA, I developed my career in engineering and construction project management and in the energy and utility industries with extensive experience in project, commercial and general management.
I have served as an executive and non-executive director on the boards of subsidiary companies and joint ventures in the UK and international gas industries and on the board of a community based charity.
On a voluntary basis I have worked in an inner city youth project and am currently a member of the management committee for Kaleidoscope, a drug treatment project in Kingston-upon-Thames.
Since January 2002 I have been an independent business consultant working with a portfolio of clients in the private, public and voluntary sectors.
I am a member of Community Action Network (CAN), a mutual learning and support network for social entrepreneurs, which backs people with the vision and drive to make things happen. A large proportion of my time is currently committed to working with CAN to develop their consultancy business in the health and social care sectors. This includes assignments for the NHS Modernisation Agency, NHS Primary Care Trusts and a project (funded by the Football Association, the Home Office Active Communities Unit and think tank Mutuo) to produce a guide to transforming under-used football stadia into community resource centres.
In summary, what I am endeavouring to bring to Bees United is a Brentford heart, a business head and a community spirit.
My vision is to help Bees United become a pioneering example of a social enterprise, running a community owned football club with a new multi-use stadium complex providing services to local communities.
My main focus is to work with all parties, including the club, supporters, local community groups and the local authorities to develop a genuine community stadium complex that will be of benefit to the community 365 days a year.
The recent changes in the board and executive management at Brentford Football Club mark a significant step in the evolution of Bees United as it now takes on the operational control of the football club.
I would like to pay tribute to John McGlashan, my predecessor as Bees United Chairman, who is doing a fantastic job for the supporters. John is now working full time in two demanding roles as an Executive Director of the club and as Chief Executive of Bees United.
Bees United has made incredible progress in a relatively short time and I feel honoured to take on the role of Chairman as the club moves forward into a new era. I hope at last we can all work together to achieve the aims we all share.”