I have been a Trustee and Treasurer of Balloons since 2015. I have been a Chartered Accountant for over 15 years, working a varied portfolio of small businesses and individuals. For Balloons 1 oversee the Charity’s finances, ensuring the charity has strong financial controls and operates as efficiently as possible. I have lived in Devon for 14 years, having previously lived and worked in London, Japan and Australia. I am a Graduate of Economics and Politics and briefly worked as a government economist before starting my training as an accountant.

I was born in Essex and relocated to Devon 24 years ago. My association with Balloons started in 2005 after I lost my wife to cancer, she was just 39. Being left with my 2 girls then aged 8 and 10 was a very daunting prospect, my wife (Angie) and I had received tremendous support from the Cancer support team at Force and afterwards I was put in-touch with Balloons. I know from experience that support through tough times is vital so working with the Trustee’s is my way of saying a huge thanks to all at Balloons who helped me and my girls “dust ourselves off and get back on the horse” as my late wife would have said!

Now retired, my working career was split between teaching in secondary schools and running my own educational publishing company. I have also been heavily involved in parent-teacher associations, locally and nationally, and serving as a school governor in primary and comprehensive schools. I have been a Trustee of Balloons since 2008 and I serve on the Personnel subcommittee.

I am a Community Hospice Nurse. I was born and brought up in Devon and I am married with four children and eight grandchildren. In 2006 along with another nursing colleague, I helped to set up the charity and have been a Trustee since then. I have a particular interest in pre-bereavement work.

I joined the Trustee Board of Balloons in the early days of the charity. As a Consultant Paediatrician, now retired, my main interests have been in child development and safeguarding.