I ask good questions, and then listen to the answers

This is who I am

Qualitative Behavioural Researcher backed up by a lifetime’s experience of engaging stakeholders, empowering designers, and improving outcomes.

I use the power of storytelling to make the data engaging and insightful.

I’m never happier than when working with complicated products and systems to surface the flaws that prevent humans getting stuff done.

I’ve worked for scrappy start-ups, then Vodafone, HMRC (GDS) and currently for Brambles (CHEP).

The bit before I got into UXR is also quite a story. I’ll tell you about it if you like.

Update September 2026

I’ve not even looked at this site for over three years. Things change, that’s a good thing.

The global supply chain company I’ve been with since 2023 is going through some things, and they think they can get along just fine without the UX Practice of over 20 designers and researchers. I respect that decision.

Another story to add to my lifetime of stories. Pallets aren’t really dinner party conversation, I’ve tested that hypothesis.

The trick to this user research thing is honesty … and to work hard.

36 things by which to know me

I am co-inventor of a patent in fire retardant coatings

Since January 2020 I’ve done my 10,000 steps every day (thank you Audible/UX podcasts)

I tried to save a drowning man

I’ve held the (real, solid gold, priceless) World Cup Trophy

I cried during Toy Story 3

I have been made redundant and it really stung

I have survived cancer

I bought Pele dinner in Leipzig

I’ve made people laugh at funerals

I fluked an eagle on a par 4

I’ve been to see the Pet Shop Boys more than any other artist or band

The global sports company I worked for went spectacularly bust

I’ve started, built up and sold a business

In our last conversation a few days before Alan died, we talked about where he wanted to go in the summer

I respect anyone who can hold faith and science in balance

I got the half-sized model of Concorde that used to be at the entrance to Heathrow Airport made

I eat over a thousand bananas a year

I’d rather sit in silence with old friends than go to a party and meet new people

My favourite car was a transit van

My AV tech failed so I had to freestyle on global sports to an audience of 300 Gillette executives for best part of an hour

I’ve worked with the Muppets

I used to teach a type of dance called Ceroc

I was responsible for the most complained about press ad of 1994

My motorbike years allowed me to role-play my fictional rebel twin

I started more UX books than I will ever finish (and keep buying more)

I gave up smoking using The Easy Way to Stop Smoking book and nothing else

I hosted a meeting with Malcolm McLaren on the hottest day of the year with no air-con and he wore a three-piece tweed suit and brogues

I have tinnitus and it’s really jolly annoying

My family are much smarter than me

I can’t put my left shoe on first

The FIFA President fell asleep whilst I was presenting the 2006 World Cup logo to him

I’ve been best man three times, two of the marriages ended in divorce

My favourite moods are melancholia and mischievousness

I built my own 3-tiered cantilevered steel toolbox

Rock star Anastacia said I reminded her of Hugh Grant (not sure if she meant it kindly)

I can’t write in lower case

One of the above is a lie ...