I am a semi-retired business owner who has been interested in shooting, wildlife and conservation since childhood. In my youth, I accompanied my father on rough shooting days. I have held a shotgun certificate since 1971 and kept working gundogs since 1981.

I am very aware of life and living in a rural environment and of the conflicting attitudes, lack of understanding and intolerance of field sports in some sectors of society and the need to explain and persuade rather than antagonise opposing views.

I have been involved with Sweeney shoot for 30 years as a beater, picker up, and now a syndicate member. I have been secretary of the shoot since 2019, and previously secretary and treasurer of Golfa shoot (Llangedwyn) for two years from 2012-13.

I believe my education and experience are well suited to this role. After graduating from Reading University with an Honours degree in agriculture in 1979, I worked as an arable specialist in the East Midlands, until joining ICI Fertilisers in 1981. I worked in technical advisory and commercial roles for 12 years in North Wales, Yorkshire and the West Midlands. I was responsible for sales of circa £30 million per annum. For two years, I was a seconded member of a multidisciplinary project team involved in producing an extremely successful new concept product range for grassland farmers, this necessitated working and collaborating with colleagues from many parts of the business. In 1993, I became the business development manager at NWS Bank, then the marketing and sales director of Bluebell Ropes Ltd, until setting up my own company Agritel Ltd in late 1996.

These roles all gave me extensive experience of all farming practices and systems, plus an appreciation of differing attitudes to field sports and conservation across a wide area of England and Wales.

Starting a new business required a very clear idea of the business objectives and how to differentiate it from the competitors. This necessitated significant, accurate market research to establish the viability of the concept, followed by a five-year comprehensive business plan detailing business structure, suppliers, marketing strategy, target customer base and financing. I embraced the internet and social media as the primary and developing routes to market. During my tenure, the company continuously embraced new ideas and technologies in order to develop and grow. My son took over the business in 2020 and I provide consultancy on an ad hoc basis.

As a Rotarian for 30 years, I gained experience as a committee member, committee chair and club president. I learnt to read and master a brief, run meetings, gain commitment and develop and deliver on agreed policy and strategy.

I feel my academic and business skills gained and developed over 40 years, coupled with my lifetime interest and continued enthusiasm for shooting and conservation, make me an ideal candidate to contribute as a member of the BASC Council.