Like others, I have been actively involved with NILA since its inception as a founder member and Vice-Chairman.

I am also the Regional Commander (Head of Operations) of the Community Rescue Service (CRS), the Lowland Rescue organisation for all Northern Ireland. 

CRS operates 28 Emergency Response Vehicles and 16 Rescue Boats alongside 280 SAR volunteers and 60 Support Team volunteers, making us the largest LR organisation. 

I was the founder of CRS and have been a director of the charity since its inception in 2007. I have been a Trustee with Lowland Rescue for 4 years and I am the current Vice-Chairman. Before that, I was the organisation’s Water and Technical Rescue Director and I also hold a position as Trustee of London Search and Rescue

Past

I became involved in SAR in 1980 and spent many years with the Coastguard in Northern Ireland and overseas, along with serving with the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) on both onshore, offshore, and worldwide rapid response teams. My career naturally led me in this direction as I qualified as a Marine Engineer before further becoming an electronics Technician. I enjoyed sports and had good success in Boxing and Martial Arts, along with several field sports. I have always enjoyed motorcycling and boating, and I take any opportunity to do either or both.

I have been married to Liz for 43 years, with four children and five grandchildren. 

Present

I am still involved in the management of the family-owned companies that I founded.

As a National Search Manager responsible for in excess of 300 searches every year, I keep myself busy most days. I also sit on several committees and boards, including the UKSAR Response Driving Group and the Northern Ireland SAR Policy Group at the Department of Justice. 

I am very proud and privileged to be a founder member and Vice Chair of NILA. I will continue to put every effort into making NILA everything that our members, our partners, and the public need and expect from a representative body such as ours.