I graduated from Newcastle University in 1981 with an honours degree in Agriculture, specialising in Crop Production.  

I worked in farm management for 6 years, before being appointed Velcourt's Technical Director, a position I held for 30 years. My main responsibility  was to support the 45 Farm Management team in a technical capacity, as well as managing all the company's R&D activities. 

I left the company in October 2018 to set up my own freelance consultancy business.

I have 38 years of experience of UK crop production in a vast range of UK locations, covering different soil types, yield potentials, weed, pest and disease pressures. 

I have worked regularly in Spain and France, and have reasonable fluency in both languages with technical vocabulary. 

Other countries where I have gained first hand crop production experience are Russia, The Ukraine Australia and Zambia.

I have a large industry network, having worked closely with many key agricultural stakeholders, ie Plant Breeders, Aghcem Manufacturers, Distributors, Government departments, Levy Bodies, Scientific Research Centres, Universities, Machinery and AgTech manufacturers  - I have also led and managed many collaborative research projects funded by The UK Government.

Click on the "Services"  button below to see a list of independent services I can provide, either on a regular or one-off basis.