I wanted to be a designer since the age of 15.

Ironically an art school tutor told me there was no money in graphic design. So I instead took a degree in furniture and product design.

I struggled to find a work placement during my degree. Panicking, I went through the Yellow Pages - page by page. I phoned companies until I found one willing to give me a chance.

This experience taught me the importance of perseverance and creating your own opportunities. Two foundational principles of my personal career success.

After my degree I received a bursary to complete a Masters in Furniture Design. When I finished, I couldn’t find a full-time job.

I decided to move to London and set up Northwards Design Studio. Here I formed two design collectives - Shift and Ten. These led to successful exhibitions, including Time:Frame, Ten and Wood.

I've exhibited my work globally. This includes shows in London, New York, Barcelona, Frankfurt and Milan. I've created products for European brands. I also worked at Habitat under Creative Director Tom Dixon.

In 2007, I decided to escape the rat-race. People thought I was making a big mistake.

I left London with my wife boarding a one-way flight to Mumbai. Little did we know our year-long trip would lead us to a new home in New Zealand.

Some highlights since arriving in Aotearoa:

• Working with MIT (Boston) to deliver the first Fab Lab in Australasia and the global Fab Lab conference.

• Transitioning to a service design role in the public service.

• Leading the service design and CX practice at DNA.

• Setting up the first Internet of Things (IoT) Meetup in Wellington.

• Creating Workchops. A residential learning experience facilitated by Liz Sanders and Andrea Siodmok.

• Travelling to Japan for a retreat with Jan Chipchase.

• Bringing Jan to New Zealand to deliver his research masterclass.

• Starting We Create Futures. A strategy and foresight practice helping ambitious leaders navigate complexity and uncertainty.

I’ve won over 20 individual and team awards for my work including:

• The Abernathy Award in Seth Godin's AltMBA

• DINZ Gold and Purple Pins; and

• The 100% Design/Blueprint Best Contribution.

Various publication have featured my work and writing. I've also overcome a speech impediment to deliver talks and workshops all over the world.

I’m on a personal mission to help designers create long-term success. I do this through consulting, coaching and facilitating unique high-impact workshops and courses.

If any of this interests you and you want to work together, let’s jump on a call.