Superlatives abound in LinkedIn profiles. Failure is rarely noted. I've had failures and successes. A stroke in 2019 and a recent incurable prostate cancer diagnosis has put my ego to bed. It has changed my focus from 'me' to helping others. I am a public governor of Airedale NHS Foundation Trust, a 'lived' stroke advisor to the West Yorkshire Association of Acute Trusts and I help the mobile cancer unit charity 'Hope for Tomorrow'. As a visiting fellow at Leeds Beckett University (LBU) I help students gain the leadership skills needed for career success by working with iconic firms like IKEA. I am a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations, serve on the PR Council of the Public Relations and Communications Association and am a board member of the Seahorse Freight Association where I am launching a mentoring scheme for journalists.But where did I begin?I trained as a journalist in the 1960s before studying for an HND in Tourism, but I crashed out. In 1973 Townsend Thoresen Car Ferries hired me as a press officer. I had finally got my mojo back. I went on to handle PR for the air cargo, ferry and port interests of their parent company, European Ferries.A 1979 move to global PR agency Burson-Marsteller (B-M) saw me working for 100+ clients - from art galleries to airlines, credit cards to car makers, hospitals to hotels, shipping lines to supermarkets and theatres to travel agencies. In 1986 I became B-M's director of leisure, transport and travel in Europe.Voluntary roles followed - Prince’s Youth Business Trust, helping ethnic minority entrepreneurs set up businesses and, as a gentile, I advised the Joint Israel Appeal. The roles highlighted the racism, islamophobia and antisemitism in our society.In 1992 B-M seconded me to two London hospitals - Chelsea & Westminster and Charing Cross. I helped to open the former and campaigned to save the latter from closure.A lifestyle change in 1994 brought me to Yorkshire. I took the helm of a Leeds PR agency, but I wasn't CEO material and was 'let go'.My salvation? Teaching PR at LBU while working as the global media relations manager for Scandinavian shipping firm, Wallenius Wilhelmsen. My work with WWF and launching the world's first zero emissions cargo ship ES Orcelle were highlights.I was sexually abused at boarding school so campaign for equality, diversity, inclusion and robust whistleblowing policies.I have gained 48 awards, but more deserving recipients abound.My interests? Architecture, art, ballet, music, travel, social history, writing and sadly Saab cars.