Irish In Britain

About

Professional Background

I am a senior policy advisor at The Brain Tumour Charity where I advocate to senior government and NHS officials on policy issues to improve the lives of people living with a brain tumour. This work is informed by my personal experience of living with a pituitary gland tumour.

I am a consultant to global law firms on strategic PR, market positioning and business development projects. I have broad experience in the commercial legal sector, in publishing and recruitment, and as a careers advisor at a law school.

I founded a digital health start up using a software platform, wearable technology and AI to monitor heart rhythm remotely. Lately, I set up The Hub Broadcasting, a connected community podcast and blogging platform. I present The Hub, a weekly two hour live music and chat show on Epsom Hospital Radio.

I was chair of trustees at Hackney-based education charity ELATT and I have recently been appointed as a trustee of innovative children’s dance theatre company Peut-Être Theatre.

Personal Overview

I have been Irish in Britain since 1974. I was born on the North Circular Road, Dublin to a medical student father from Ghana and a mother from Summer Hill, north Dublin from a Welsh Romany family. I spent six years in an Industrial School in County Dublin, taking a year out to attend a prep school near Bray, Co. Wicklow.

The family then moved to England and Wales with my father’s role as a psychiatrist. I spent a year in school in Ghana. It is fair to say I am “an unusual Irish man” as someone once called me. That said, my Irish identity has always been core and trips home to the Old Country and to see family across north and south Dublin have always been grounding.

As someone who has benefited from welfare services supported by Irish in Britain I am keenly aware of the vital work the charity performs. I look forward to bringing my personal and professional experience to bear to represent all Irish in Britain as a trustee.  

General Interests

I play golf regularly. I am an active member of my local parish and of the Catenian Association, a “Family, Friendship and Fun” group of Catholic men. A UCL history graduate, I enjoy reading French literature and I am teaching myself German as prep for some German history projects. I am researching my Romany, Celtic, other European and African family trees.