AGE: 45
BIRTHPLACE: Hampshire
FAMILY: Married to Harriet for 17 years, Jack (13), Kitty (11), Olivia (8)
POLAR READING: A Week in December by Sebastian Faulks, Solo by Pen Hadow and The Centurion Series by Simon Scarrow
Why have you agreed to be part of Walking with The Wounded?
I left the army many years ago when the world was a different place, and the armed forces were being asked to do far less than they are today. While I certainly did my bit when I was serving, I do look at contemporaries still in the army and have nothing but admiration for what they do today.
Simon and I feel very strongly about showing support for the armed forces, and we both agreed that the future of the wounded servicemen and women was something we should help acknowledge. It is something that we both feel society should be investing in, as these young people deserve so much from us after the sacrifices they have made.
Team member profile
Home is in Norfolk. We moved there in 2003 after I left the city having spent 10 years in the army. I served in the 1st battalion the Royal Green Jackets, being stationed in the UK and Germany seeing operational service in Northern Ireland. In 2003 I set up a wine business, and that has kept me incredibly busy ever since. I now know the true meaning of hard work. Head office is 10 minutes from home (a tricky commute when the tractor is coming the other way), and we have an office in London now where I find myself every other week. My wife Harriet spends her life running our lives, which is a full time occupation, looking after children, dogs and chickens and now ensuring I am wearing my luminous vest when I head out into the night to train. Her support for what I am doing is such a huge boost.
How have you found the training so far?
This old body needed a huge shake up to get it going again, but now everything seems to be a little more tuned up, there’s a long way to go. The yard at home is full tractor tyres, jerry cans full of water, weights and tug o’ war ropes. We have none of these smart gyms Simon uses in London! I also have the invaluable assistance from Dave Green, an ex-military policeman (for which he receives suitable abuse) who comes and trains me once a week.
