Following an honours degree in civil engineering at Southampton, I worked for a number of civil engineering consultants before joining the major works section of Southampton City Council. Through the mid-1970s and 80s, I designed and oversaw the construction of major roads, bridges, subways, retaining walls and drainage and became a Chartered Civil Engineer. Completing a certified diploma in accountancy and finance and being admitted as a corporate member of the Institute of Management, I was recruited to the Chief Executive’s Office where I became Head of Corporate Policy for the Council.

Realising that the centre of Southampton was difficult to navigate on foot – with key attractions being over a mile apart and transport options not connected in a cohesive way – I proposed an electric tracked public transport system that would address these issues.

My Churchill Fellowship to see such systems operate around the world greatly assisted the development of that scheme. Although that scheme did not ultimately proceed, many similar schemes did, including Docklands Light Railway and Manchester Metro, and hopefully more will follow.

Now retired, I keep track of local and regional similar schemes and have been consulted by Leeds, Bristol and Gosport.