As an "Accountant" it goes without saying that my personal history is not that exciting. To elucidate further I have worked in accounts related jobs since my first job way way back in the days of slate-board and abacus. After a long time studying I finally qualified, as a Certified Accountant in 1998 proving perseverance will prevailed in the end.

Within six months of qualifying I started at Micromech at a time when one of the founding partners who looked after the finances was retiring. After serving 2½ years as the Accounts Manager I was invited onto the Board in September 2001 to become the Finance Director. For my sins the job includes HR, that's personnel to us older guys, managing the Investors In People programme, both of these duties can have their challenging moments. I am also responsible for IT, which most seem to think means 'It's Trash' rather than Information Technology, this requires me to listening to all the moans "my computers too slow", "I keep getting strange & alarming messages" or "it just keeps crashing". Be it malfunctions or operator induced errors it is somehow my fault and my job to keep everyone happy while still spending as little as possible.

I wanted to get more involved in other local business issues so recently I become Treasurer of Braintree's Chamber of Commerce. This is a role which I feel will be enlightening as to the way the local business and the district council try to function together.

I am in my mid 40's and have been happily married for the last 24 years to Elaine who works for the local community transport service. We have two teenage daughters, the eldest is at a local university studying to become a Primary school teacher and will hopefully qualifying in 2007 - a wage earner!! The younger one has only just started her two-year A level courses at college and at this stage is undecided what she wants to do as a career.

Like most parents I previously used to spend a lot of my spare time running around after the kids but now they are independent I am able to concentrate more on things that interest me. Like attempting DIY although all decorating is invariably done under the careful instruction of my wife, as for the garden thankfully we only have a smallish plot. I like reading though this is often only once my children have finished with the latest Harry Potter or Discworld book and I enjoy watching films and motor sport.


I probably fit into the category of stereotypical accountant concentrating on detail and order so leading a 'Monty Pythonish' not so interesting social life. I am of course blessed with the delightful benefit that I can add up, although only with the help of a calculator!