Unlike Billy, I was one of those sad children who slept with a radio under my pillow – but the sound was terrible so I asked for a pair of headphones. Looking back, I guess I blame re-runs of “WKRP in Cincinnati” for giving me the idea of making radio a viable career. But although I aspired to be “Dr. Johnny Fever” I ended-up more “Herb Tarlek” by working in Commercial Production for 18 years. I was a writer / producer in both the UK and New Zealand radio industries before landing the job of Creative Director at The Radio Network, the Southern Hemisphere’s largest commercial production dept. for radio. After five years of management and client functions I decided it was time to try and buy my soul back.
I moved to Britain’s sparkling Midlands and took up the position of Degree Leader in Radio at Birmingham City University where I currently teach radio modules in Production, Documentary Making, Commercial Production, Running a Radio Station and Professional Studies.
Over the years I’ve produced several radio documentaries for Radio New Zealand and developed a real passion for development radio. This interest has led to the opportunity to work as an executive consultant for the BBC World Service Trust and more recently for CARE International. I’m also a part-time tutor for the UK Prison Radio Association.