What did I do before becoming a driving instructor?

I have worked in the retail industry within various roles in buying and merchandising for over 25 years. For the previous 10 years, I have been involved with developing and delivering various training programs and induction courses to develop and underpinning key skills within these departments. During this time I have created and delivered (far too many to remember) 1-2-1 training and tuition programs for new starters through to directors. This has given me a great understanding of client centred learning techniques.

Why did I become a driving instructor?

I love training and coaching people and transferring skills and knowledge, I love cars and driving. I have always wanted to work for myself and make my own decisions! Over the last 20 years, I have also developed a growing dislike of the daily drudgery of commuting to London on the train and starting the day on a cramp and claustrophobic tube! When my last job came to an end I decided to take the best elements from previous jobs and combine with my personal interests. Becoming a driving instructor was an easy decision.

What do I enjoy about training people?

It is a great feeling knowing you have instructed and transferred your skills onto others and to have developed a safe driver with new life-skills. Driving gives people freedom and amazing opportunities; it’s great knowing you have helped make this possible.

What's your favourite car?

I love classic British Sports cars. With much thought, I would say my favourite would have to be an Austin Healy 3000. They were made between 1959 – 1967, but most were exported to the USA. It was easily one of Abingdon’s finest creations. Would I like to own and drive one on the road – not a chance! Whilst old British Sports cars are beautiful, they are just too dangerous should something go wrong. This was the era when before safety was ever an issue.

What do I do when I'm not in the driving seat?

My main passion outside of the car is radio presenting. I have been a presenter on Market Harborough's local radio station HFM for seven years after a friend at a party challenged me as a throwaway comment had a bet that I wouldn’t have the guts to go down the station and basically make it happen. But after completing a radio course starting with local news and various features on other radio shows, I was offered to present and produce my own regular weekly show with a great slot every Saturdays 5-7pm. I won the bet; I am quite competitive!!

What's my pet hate in the Road?

Where do I start! There are loads, but they all have one thing in common - any activity where safety is compromised through selfish actions. People on mobile phones, speeding through built-up areas, driving too fast for the road condition, not making progress in the middle lane of the motorway, drink-drivers. I’ll stop there!

What's my favourite holiday destination?

I have a young family so we have never gone beyond Europe. We love Tenerife, mainly because of Siam Park, easily the world’s best water park. Wherever I go I always have to get a hire car and go exploring away from the obvious tourist traps (Sia Park excepted!)

Surprising fact about me?

My previous family car we used for school runs and driving and around town was a traditional Fairway London Taxi called Tim. I needed a big car for my family and I thought it ticked all the boxes. It could take seven people so we could do all the club runs for my kids as well as their friends, it was cool, it was iconic, it had the tightest turning circle and it was cheap! I used to write a blog about owning a London taxi as a family car and gave advice about repairs and getting parts. One day Tim’s first owner got in contact after reading the blog and gave me a rundown of everyone famous who had been in the car over its 450,000 miles life (Did I mention the engine was bullet-proof!). Bit of a who’s who of the ’80s and ’90s. Why was the taxi called Tim? Well, I must confess Tim was not good at hills so we would often cry out “Come on Tim” not dissimilar to the chant at Wimbledon in the Henman era.