1. What made you want to become a rep?
The pension dispute. Our officials at the time were touring branches organising before the vote on industrial action and my branch had recently lost its rep. I had no idea what I was letting myself in for but the idea of a strong branch without a rep just didn't seem right.
2. What is your proudest moment as a rep?
I can't claim it as my own personal achievement but the FBU Centenary Event where we walked across the Millennium Bridge in London was something very special.
3. Who is your ultimate hero?
Gordon Murray - automotive designer. Famous for designing F1 and Supercars though I'm especially interested in his work on city cars and the flat pack truck he designed for Africa and parts of Asia where access to vehicles/transport is limited.
4. Describe yourself in three words.
Has great coffee.
5. What was the last conversation you had that made you think differently about something?
A recent conversation and learning about Neurodiversity. The idea that specific behavioural traits are part of the normal variation of the human population rather than issues or problems was eye opening for me.
6. Which TV show could you not live without?
Top Gear and its breakaway series The Grand Tour.
7. If you weren’t a firefighter, what would you be?
I'd still be an engineer. Joining the Fire Service was a great opportunity and something I wanted to do rather than needed. I was lucky enough to already have a good job as an electronic engineer but I've never looked back.
8. If you could travel back or forward in time, where and when would you travel to and why?
I would stay in the North East of England but travel back to when the heavy industries were the main employer (coal, shipyards etc) to try and understand what life was like. I'd like to draw my own conclusions on what was better or worse and what we've lost or gained since then. My family has a proud history in the coal mining industry so I'd probably start with that.
