After early roles in sales and marketing within the UK Commercial Oil and IT industries, the majority of my career was focused on international business management of indirect distributor channels within the EMEA Office Automation market. In 2009, after 21 years with NRG International, the business was transferred to another Group operating company, Ricoh International, based in the Netherlands. Due to my family circumstances, I chose not to relocate but to pursue alternative opportunities, including a planned sabbatical wth my wife. Following an exhilarating trip travelling around Europe in a motorhome, in April 2012, I joined a new marine charter / ferry boat venture as Business Development Manager and First Mate. In January 2013 I became a Director of the company. However, the appeal and challenge of international business was never far away and in November 2013 I was invited to join Intec Printing Solutions as Acting Sales Director under a temporary contract. Whilst at Intec, it soon became clear to me that my energy & motivation were craving a new business venture of my own and so I set out on a road trip, alone in our motorhome, to find that elusive niche business opportunity. After much searching, I finally discovered RidersRest...an established & well run Chambres D'Hote in central, southern France...catering exclusively for touring motorcyclists. The acquisition was completed in October 2015.