Tell us a little bit about you and your role within Bracknell BID
I am a Board Director of Bracknell BID and Chair of the Project Group. Having recently retired after a long international corporate career, I’m now able to spend more time giving back to the local business community and supporting the continued success of the BID and its levy payers.
Can you give us some background to your working career?
I started my career in the Merchant Navy, where I spent 11 years working my way up to Chief Engineer, sailing on a variety of cargo and passenger vessels. After that, I joined Caterpillar, the global US corporation, where I worked for 27 years.
During my time at Caterpillar, I led international sales, marketing, service and project teams, with a particular focus on negotiating contracts and delivering large-scale projects in the marine and oil and gas sectors. Alongside this, I served as a director and spent 17 years on the board of a UK Caterpillar company.
My career also gave me the opportunity to live and work overseas, including in Finland, Greece, Spain, Singapore and Germany, before eventually returning to the UK.
Why are you a BID board director and why do you volunteer your time for the local business community?
I’ve been involved with Bracknell BID from the very beginning. When I returned to the UK around 2010, I was part of the original board that helped shape the BID and supported the initial ballot.
I later stepped back due to extensive work travel, but now that I’m retired, I’m delighted to be able to reconnect, give my time freely, and play an active role again in something I’ve always been passionate about.
Why are you passionate about the Bracknell BID area?
Bracknell is a great place to work and do business. Its location, connectivity and transport links are excellent, and it sits right in the heart of the M3 and M4 corridor. I’ve seen first-hand how much investment has gone into the town over the years, particularly in the town centre, and the transformation has been impressive.
Even when reviewing office locations for Caterpillar, Bracknell consistently stood out as the right choice, offering fantastic access to customers, Heathrow, rail links and great overall value.
What skills and experience do you bring to the BID board?
I bring a combination of international leadership, board experience and hands-on management, with a strong focus on delivery. I’ve managed large teams, complex projects and substantial budgets, which has given me a very disciplined approach to governance, financial oversight and transparency.
That experience is especially important in a BID environment, where it’s vital that levy payer money is spent wisely, clearly and for maximum impact. I also bring experience in sales, marketing, events and relationship-building, which all help support the BID’s work.
What projects or initiatives that the BID has delivered are you most proud of?
One project that stands out for me is the Bracknell BID shuttle bus, which connects the town centre, train station and industrial estates. This was one of the first ideas discussed when the BID was formed, so it’s incredibly rewarding to see it still running successfully and being well used.
I’m also really pleased to see the success of the shared bikes and e-bikes, as well as the popular Meet Your Neighbour events, which are a great way to bring businesses together and help people understand everything the BID has to offer.
What difference do you hope the BID will have made in the next five years?
The BID has a clear, well-thought-out business plan and strong levels of engagement from local businesses. Over the next five years, I hope it continues to deliver visible improvements, strengthen relationships with levy payers, and clearly demonstrate the value it brings, helping to build momentum for future terms.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
I enjoy keeping active through cycling and running, and I have a real passion for working on classic cars and motorcycles. Now that I’ve retired, my wife and I are also looking forward to travelling more – this time with the chance to really enjoy the places we visit, rather than rushing between meetings.
What’s the best piece of business advice you’ve been given?
Never give up and always stay positive – positivity has a way of spreading to those around you. Ultimately, you are what you do, not what you say you’ll do.