I
spent the early years of my life on board Hirta,
a 50ft Bristol Channel
Pilot Cutter built 1911 and, at the age of four, sailed for Iceland, America and
the Caribbean with my parents. My childhood afloat cemented an
appreciation for historic vessels which is still with me today.
I went to school in Salisbury, then studied for a BA in
History at
the University of Exeter, before going on to complete a Masters in Maritime
History at the Maritime Institute, University of Greenwich. I chose a career which would allow me adequate time for my
boating pursuits without making actual hands-on sailing my profession. I had
been fascinated by the intricate nature of the research I had done for my thesis
and decided to start a business as a self-employed historical researcher. I am
based a stone's throw from the Hamble River, although I work part of the week in
London. I still go sailing in Tern, my 1930s Lymington scow, or in Little
Kingfisher - a Harrison Butler gaff yawl, built 1926.
My maritime background has proved invaluable
to my career. Not only am I
passionate about my work, but I have a reference bank, built up over many years, from which I
can draw contacts to solve the many diverse queries I receive. For more information on my formal training,
please visit 'My Qualifications' or
to read about my early life at sea, go to 'Sailing'. 
About
Me
The
business has grown over thirteen years and I now work with a number of
co-researchers to complete research tasks, whilst also acting as Policy &
Project Manager for National
Historic Ships UK.
