I am Welsh. Born in the Valleys in a mining town called Merthyr Tydfil, brought up in Cardiff.

I cut my teeth in an advertising agency as a ‘voucher boy’ sitting in a corridor cutting out ads.

From there - a media planner and buyer, and media sales. I also worked in the strange  world of aromatherapy as a marketing manager.

Noticing my penchant for stripy shirts, spotty ties, braces and big mobiles didn’t quite go with the sandals and yoghurt  I decided it was time for me to do the thing I had always been thinking of. To go it alone and start up an agency.

Designate. Well Design8 – inspired one evening in the Zap Club while making shapes to Altern8. But no one pronounced it right, so the 8 was gone. That was 18 years ago. And that’s all I’ve done ever since. Work, work, work. Except for a brief spell in holiday lets and opening up a restaurant (don’t do it unless you are mad and don’t like having any money).

I live in a beautiful village called Fletching where I also run the Art Gallery Hill & Hill with my wife Louise. We aim to showcase the best of local and national artists. Fletching also has the best pub in the world – the Griffin Inn. And that’s where you’ll find me when I am not at work.

I have three daughters and a dog. I like good food, good wine, good company and good work. I also like art, the odd car and the occasional day shooting. And a very good suit. Preferably in a form of tweed.