Beginning his career with a Ministry of Defence (MoD) electronic apprenticeship, John is an information technology professional with a background in electronic engineering and communications with a strong R&D and user needs focus. During his career John has been commissioned on projects by a number of organisations including the, Ministry of Defence (MoD), the European Space Agency (ESA), National Endowment for Science Technology and the Arts (NESTA) and the European Commission.Working within RNIB’s central innovation team, as Head of Solutions Innovation, John acts as a catalyst to solutions innovation and problem solving, drawing on his technical and R&D experiences, exploring opportunities and capabilities of new technologies. This is achieved via a solutions orientated approach, using a clear understanding of user needs and inclusive design. John has a proven track record in engaging with and maintaining strategic business relationships across multiple sectors with blue-chip organisations and start ups collaboratively pioneering several world firsts, disrupting industries via innovating solutions with first to market disrupters; true “game changers” providing positive benefit on people’s lives; accessible packaging, accessible home energy information, wearable augmented reality simulation tools, augmented reality smart glasses, authoring and playback solutions of accessible rich media content, world class text to speech solutions, provision of daily accessible newspapers, accessible pharmaceutical information. John has also managed RNIB’s work on emerging travel and wayfinding technologies, removing barriers faced by blind and partially sighted when making journeys, including piloting award winning solutions with public transport operators.Being a proud father to his daughter and twin boys and full time foster parent to those that he, his wife and family foster, John tries to relax by restoring classic cars and being kicked around the football pitch on a Sunday.