I built a modern, modular eco house in a factory in Brighton and then transported it to Ullapool in the North West Highlands of Scotland in May 2014. I then decided with my wife to completely change our work life balance and decided to move to Ullapool. We purchased a bed & breakfast in December 2014.We now run Sealoch House ( www.sealochhouse.co.uk) as a very successful high quality holiday home and have completed the refurbishment and rebranding Westlea House as a boutique bed and breakfast accommodation ( www.westlea-ullapool.co.uk).The opening in My 2015 has proved to be very successful . We would be very pleased to welcome former colleagues and friends to this wonderful region of Scotland

I decided to join Regus because I believed in their vision to revolutionise the way people work flexibly and joined the UK team as a director on the senior management team responsible for delivery of a new major expansion of locations across the UK. I had responsibility for the New Centre Opening team. That meant finding locations, acquiring small competitors, design and fitting out locations and then selling the desk space. During that time I opened five new centres and obtained Board approval for another fifteen locations significantly more than achieved in previous years. Unfortunately it became apparent that Regus and I had different expectations and views of what flexible working meant and how this could be delivered so we agreed that we would part at the end of my six month probation period.

I had responsibility for all Corporate Property outside of the Americas for the world’s largest car rental company. I managed a team of property professionals across 12 different countries in Europe, Australia, Middle East and Asia leading a Centre of Expertise that supported the core business of their matrix organisation. The COE led decision making and managed the costs and responsibilities for the effective management of a portfolio of over 700 very varied locations on and off airports, including 9 country head offices. I was part of the Senior Management team led by the International President based in the UK and reported directly to the Global Vice President of Real Estate based in the US. I managed an annual rental budget of over $65m and prepared business plans each year. I delivered cost reductions and savings of almost $20m since 2009.

Worked as part of a team expanding new and existing brands for the Dixons Group across the majority of European Countries. From 2001 Dixons decided to expand into Europe and I became responsible for the delivery of the Store Development programme across the International operations of the DSGi Mixed Electricals division opening or refitting approx. 80 owned or franchised stores pa across 15 countries.Responsible for the end-to-end process ensuring that there was a common and effective approach across existing and new countries to meet the group’s requirements regarding acquisitions, specifications, programme, cost management, procurement using Group bulk, health and safety, contamination, energy efficiency, statutory requirements, brand and corporate identity whilst ensuring that the countries retained ownership of the delivery of their development programme and retail operation.

Initially starting as a Property Development Manager in 1993 I was promoted to Head of Property Development in 1999.My initial role was new and I was given the freedom to set it up as I wished. The role required me to deal with the many design, construction and legislative issues relating to new store developments.This was an exciting time for Dixons and they expanded rapidly with me being involved in the opening of over 600 new stores under the names of Dixons, Currys, PC World, Link Mobile Phones and Jakarta Games. My team grew from myself and a secretary to 8 personnel. During that time I was also responsible for the development of a new 100,000 sqft call centre in Sheffield, a 75,000 sqft distribution centre and the move to a new HQ.