Tell us about yourself...
I was born in Hitchen (Herts) and spent the first 10 years of my life in a few places “darn sarth” in Leicester and Peterborough! This was due to my dad's work with Lloyds Banking Group.
Before I was born my parents lived in Scotter so they knew the area. My family moved back to Scotter when I was 10 years old when my dad was brought up to oversee the facilities and admin of the then new Lloyds Mortgage Unit which was next to North Lindsey College on Ridge Way (formally Tanashi Dori).
After his time had finished at Lloyds my parents decided to make this our home.
I went to school at Scawby Primary school, Huntcliff Comprehensive and went to both North Lindsey College and John Leggott.
I originally wanted to work in hospitality but realised it wasn’t for me so changed to A Levels. After completing my A Levels I went to Lincoln University to study Marketing and then went to work.
I worked for Grimsby & Scunthorpe Media Group which encompassed the Scunthorpe Telegraph for around 7 years before setting up my own digital marketing business, I Want Fish & Chips.
We have been running that business for the last 10 years and recently purchased a new business called Floral Image, which is in a completely different sector.
My wife and business partner Teri grew up in Burton Upon Stather, which is where her family is from. We have made Winterton our home and have two children who go to school there.
I also used to play for Scunthorpe Rugby Club from the first team to the third team. Back then I didn’t care which team it was for as long as I was playing rugby!
What brought you to Scunthorpe Tomorrow?
I met Tyrone before the group formed and we got on well. You can clearly see his passion for helping the local community.
When I came to the first meeting and met Rob as well it was great to see that someone who is from the area but lives/works elsewhere is still so passionate about Scunthorpe. Not to mention other people like Gordon Dougan who have achieved amazing things.
There is sometimes a negative perception of Scunthorpe. You can either agree with it or do something about it, so I thought it is better to do something positive. It takes people who have a passion for the area to start to change people's outside perceptions.
Scunthorpe Tomorrow can have a real mpact here by getting together people who genuinely care about the local community to create a positive message and actions.
What are you looking to achieve from your involvement?
North Lincolnshire is where we are raising our family and running our businesses so I am keen to help where I can and be part of decisions that are being made to make Scunthorpe a place people want to stay post education.
I class myself as being from North Lincolnshire as I have spent the majority of my life and work life here but have experience living in other areas so I am keen to build relationships with more people in the local area.
What do you see as the main opportunities for our area in the next few years?
Collaboration, not only from the people who are part of Scunthorpe Tomorrow working on projects but between other towns/cities in the local area.
It is great to see what Lincoln, Grimsby, Hull etc are doing so adding Scunthorpe to that conversation can only make the local area an even more positive place.
What’s your top recommendation to any visitor to North Lincolnshire?
Normanby Hall is great for walking around with the family and doing ParkRun on a Saturday.
As we live close to the Humber the walks around Alkborough, Whitton etc are amazing and a hidden gem. If you walk far enough, go to The Old Tile Works for food, you won’t regret it!
There are some amazing restaurants like Winteringham Fields and San Pietro, which are well worth a visit too.
Areas of Expertise
The marketing sector, starting your own business, mental health, in particular men’s mental health.
Scunthorpe Tomorrow is a network of people who are passionate about Scunthorpe and North Lincolnshire. Through building on our strengths, we are committed to helping deliver a better future for our community.