What did you want to be when you grew up and what was your first job?

I wanted to play cricket for England, I still do. Unlikely to get a call up at age 49 but have resisted the urge to announce my international retirement just in case :-)

My first job was washing the lorry for the Corona man. Back in the day ‘pop’ used to be delivered to houses by the Corona man and I would wash his wagon on a Saturday morning to earn enough money to pay for my admission to watch Crewe Alexandra in the afternoon.

Who was the biggest influence in your career?

My second ever boss in the NHS was a man called David Prothero and he set the tone for my entire career. His diligence, hard work, professional friendly approach, caring attitude to his team and relentless focus on doing the very best for the NHS was truly inspiring. Everything I do is in the hope I can emulate David a tiny bit.

Who do you admire and why?

I admire our front-line care professionals more than anyone else. The health service is underfunded, often inefficiently managed, prone to criticism, ridiculously political and hard work. But if you peel that all back you find a dedicated workforce turning up every day to serve our public and our patients in their time of need. That deserves anyone’s admiration.

What do you think are the best skills that you bring to your job?

I think above all else I am good at reminding people why we are here. My team can often get bogged down in project challenges or organisational tensions or technical problems or financial stresses. I am good at reminding them to focus on what really matters - Our Public, Our Patients and Our Care Professionals... the rest is gravy!!

What do you value most about being a BCS member?

The access to brilliant big thinkers, the badge of being a professional, the network of inspiring colleagues and the chance to be part of the machinery that brings professionalism to the digital health and care sector.

Name three words that you describe you.

Bold, opinionated, committed.

What are you happiest doing, when you’re not working?

Dancing with my wife, talking clever stuff with my grown up kids, walking on Lakeland fells, watching Crewe beat Port Vale, drinking real ale in The Black Horse and making lead light windows.

What would be your personal motto?

You get one go at this, make your mark!!