I started my journey into apples and pears in 1985 when I started working on a local fruit farm (Pump Farm and Mierscourt Farm in Rainham) after finishing school.

Initially, I picked cherries, apples and pears and helped manage the harvest as a tractor driver and supervisor. I continued this during my vacations as I completed my studies – a degree in Human Geography and Economics from Loughborough University, graduating in 1988 and a post graduate diploma in Topographic Sciences from University of Swansea in 1991.

I continued working on the farm until the mid-1990s when I moved into quality and technical with UK marketing organisations, firstly ENFRU in 1995 and then Orchard World in 1997.

I joined Richard Hochfeld in 2005 as technical manger for topfruit, where I added the management of imported fruit to my portfolio being extremely fortunate to travel to most of the apple growing regions of the world.

In 2108 I started research into new varieties, planting a small trial orchard at Orchard Place.

In 2021 I made the move to Avalon Produce as technical manager and am now the technical manager for topfruit at AMT Fresh.

One of my enjoyable activities since 2016 has been as volunteering as part of the Kids Country project which is set up to help school children understand where food comes from. This involves up to 5 days a year either visiting schools or hosting school visits on farms, talking about apples and pears and running tasting sessions with the children.

Outside of work, I enjoy sports, both participating and as a spectator. I played club cricket and hockey for many years and whilst I have retired from cricket, I still play masters hockey every week. I enjoy watching cricket, athletics and rugby and often travel to watch overseas cricket and rugby events. On top of that I am a keen runner and cyclist and have taken part in many challenges, including cycling from Lands End to John O’Groats and 100 mile run in Himalayas. I am also a keen gardener and still tinker with making crosses of apples with the few trees I have in my own garden.