I was born in the South Wales Valleys and came to live and settle in Dumbarton when I was 19.

Full statement

I served in the Royal Navy Submarine Service for nearly 14 years and left in 2013 as a Chief Petty Officer within the Marine Engineering Branch. Since leaving the Navy I have worked predominantly for defence contractors, but I have also completed work for rail contractors, the oil and gas industry and the civilian nuclear industry. I am very passionate about supporting all our armed forces and our engineering industries. As someone who was born in Wales and now lives in Scotland I am especially passionate about keeping our Union with the United Kingdom together.

I have a large family. I have a son who is disabled, and my partner and I are also Kindship carers. In supporting my son and our Kindship cared for person I have a lot of interaction with local Health and Social Care Services and sit on the Integrated Joint Health and Social Care Board for West Dunbartonshire as a volunteer to express the views of unpaid carers at board meetings. All my children are in education either at primary, secondary or college very soon to be university.

As an engineer, a volunteer and with a large family my opportunities for hobbies are very limited. However, whenever there is an opportunity I occupy myself with DIY tasks and I always have a project or two that I’m working upon. My weekends are generally spent either covered in sawdust or oil, at the top of a ladder or under the floor.