In the beginning.
I’ve always had a career in IT, which started working for a bank as IT support a large part of the role was developing on Microsoft Excel using VBA, from there I progressed to Media Manager for a TV company where I learnt video editing, encoding and web development.
Before setting up my own company, I become a business advisor for a government funded project advising businesses in Cornwall on how broadband could help them, part of the role and introducing businesses to the benefits of having a website. It became clear that there weren’t many website companies around to support the project, so in 2003 I left and created my own company called Four Degrees West specialising in creating websites. The company grew into Public Relations, graphic design, print design, training and seminars working for almost every business sector.
In 2015
In 2015 I decided to have a change of career and purchased a hotel, a beautiful six bedroom hotel in the heart of the North York Moors, with my experience in web development, Social Media and SEO along with the fabulous hospitality skills of my partner Kate we successfully increased bookings year on year and achieved magnificent reviews on Social Media on booking websites.
My younger brother Paul was looking for a career change too in 2015, so I gave him Four Degrees West, so the name and business model has been running for nearly 17 years. A huge part of the success is repeat business and recommendations. It’s a fact that Four Degrees West has never paid for advertising.
and now
Today the hotel has been sold I’m back doing what I love, being creative and technical as a freelance graphic designer and website developer (mainly working with my brother again). I also provide management relief services, where I look after hotels and staff when the owners need a break. My style of management means I can adapt quickly to new surroundings, motivate people and maintain moral.