I have lived and worked in the Scottish Borders since 1988, having previously spent ten years in London.  My work has taken me around Europe, Africa, the Middle East and the USA.  Born in the Coronation year, 1953, I feel we live in interesting times.  Will future generations think of us as Elizabethans?  Britons of my era share the experience of having seen vast changes in technology, culture and language in our own lifetimes.  The world of work has also been transformed.  Alongside the increasing domination of the world by our largest technocracies, we have also witnessed a growing awareness that social and environmental concerns are also supremely important.  I am also aware that health, wealth and happiness are not equally shared out around the world.

At one time or another I have worked in construction (I’m an electrician to trade), transport, IT, training, design, horticulture, and business advice.  I’ve been Managing Director of five different companies, and I’m sure if there’s something you could get wrong in business I’ve done it.  I’ve also got a lot of things right along the way, and I keenly value the opportunity to learn from experience. My work has often involved me with the core of my clients’ businesses, (and there have been thousands of them!) so at some time or other I’ve touched most industries.  I am passionate about entrepreneurship in its widest sense.

I have a Master’s Degree in Old English & Linguistics from Oxford University.  It took me many years to actually make the connection that most of what I do is dependant on the use of language, and to revalue that educational start point.  I am lucky to have a huge number of learning experiences under my belt throughout my life.  Lifelong learning really is what keeps us going.

A lot of my work currently is in business development, including press and policy work to support the business community, business planning and mentoring, and team development programmes.  I still teach sustainable design, and have written two books on the subject ‘The Permaculture Way’ and The ‘Permaculture Garden’.  I frequently contribute articles to local, national and international media.

With my family (wife Nancy, daughter Ruby and son Sandy) I am actively involved in the cultural scene including Scottish Traditional music, song, art and woodwork.  We enjoy our garden, which supports a historic collection of Scottish apple cultivars and a wonderful range of bird life.   Family is the most sustaining thing in my life.  After that comes the valuable network of people that I draw on for creative progress, both for myself and the people I work with.  Home is where the heart is.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Home (in the snow)

 

I have been privileged to meet many fantastic people in my life.  I share with you a few here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here is exchange student Marcela and myself, with First Minister Alex Salmond in 2009.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

With Martin Narey, Chief Executive Barnados, formerly Governor General of the Prison Service, President’s Forum Dinner The Hub, Edinburgh 2007

The Royal Collection 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Scruffy old bloke hobnobs with royalty (November 2006, Glasgow).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A somewhat younger scruffy geezer (on right) meets HRH Prince of Wales, State Banquet at Holyrood Palace, millennium year.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Her Majesty the Queen honours the Neatwork stand at the Mobility Roadshow, Crowthorne Berkshire in the middle of her annus horribilis (1992), and gives Graham (not even trying to be smart!) her nicest smile of her least favourite year.