Born in December 1955 I am currently 53 years old. My wife Ann is marginally older.

Having studied maths, chemistry and biology at A level in 1973, I had a gap year in Australia before taking a degree in Agricultural Zoology at Newcastle upon Tyne. I graduated in 1977 and worked for five years in farming and agricultural research in East Anglia and Berkshire. During these years I had worked part time in pubs wherever I lived, as I enjoyed the people contact and had high energy levels and stamina. My first job was in a working men’s club in Hitchin, my home town, and my most formative was at the Thatched Tavern at Ascot, working for Bob King and John Mee, two great guys who are still in the pub trade at The Cottage at Winkfield.

The choice in 1980 was between a full time job at the Thatched Tavern or a two year contract with the Vestey Meat Company in Venezuela, and the Thatched won. I worked there for four years gaining valuable experience and then took a six month contact with BA on long haul flights as a cabin attendant. I then went to Windsor in a profit share partnership with Bob Hind from Pantiles and started a wine bar called The Punter. We also took the tenancy of The Swan at Windsor during my three year stint there.

My first Pub on my own was a Courage tenancy, The Brickmakers Arms at Windlesham, which I took in September 1987. This ultimately became a leasehold and I ran this pub until 1998 when I sold it to The Old Monk Pub Company.

From March 1999 to February 2000 I worked for Albion Pub Company running pubs waiting for tenants or purchasers or in receivership and in 2000 my wife and I bought the lease on The Wheatsheaf in West End, near Woking Surrey. Since changing The Inn into a Dining Pub we have won the Surrey Dining Pub of the Year three times, been Gastropub of the South East twice in the Morning Advertiser Awards and won various other accolades.

We are currently trying to buy the freehold of the property.