Although I had been interested in industrial archaeology for most of my adult life, my formal involvement did not begin until 2002 when, after a 30-year career in the gas industry, I enrolled on the MA course in the subject at Ironbridge. A PhD at the University of Leicester followed, studying the impact of artificial lighting in early factories, with the former AIA President Marilyn Palmer as my supervisor. Since 2009, I have worked with Professor Palmer on a project analysing the impact of historic technology on country houses.

I have been a member of AIA’s Council since 2005, and have performed a number of roles during this time, most notably as co-editor of  the journal, Industrial Archaeology Review, for over ten years. In 2024 I took over as AIA’s Honorary Secretary. In 2009, my wife Gill and I decided to move from Leicester to the Ironbridge area, where you may find both of us in various volunteer guide roles.