I was Emeritus Professor and Pro Vice-Chancellor for Teaching and Learning at De Montfort University from 2011 to 2014 before retiring from full-time academia. During 25 years at University of Essex, I was head of the Department of Electronic Systems Engineering from 1999 to 2004, Pro Vice-Chancellor of Learning and Teaching from 2005 to 2011, and Pro Vice-Chancellor for the Humanities faculty from 2007 to 2011.

My successful and varied career has included numerous roles, from senior management positions to research on communication aids for the deaf, including contributing to the design of Independent Television's Oracle Teletext subtitling systems in the 1980s and developing machine shorthand transcription for profoundly deaf people (including the British MP Jack Ashley) in the 1970s and 1980s. I am currently Chair of the Institute of Engineering and Technology's Academic Accreditation Committee and Vice-Chair of the Engineering Accreditation Board of the Engineering Council.

My personal interests include squash, theatre and long-distance cycle touring. I am a supporter of Colchester United Football Club and spend my spare time with my wife maintaining our listed farmhouse in Essex.