Where were you born and what were you involved in before arriving on Phuket? I'm from Cardiff in Wales. I studied computer science but also drama and photography as I wanted to work for the BBC but, due to government cutbacks, never quite got there. I was interested in micro computers and set up the UK’s first high-street outlet for home computers. Suppliers would arrive with a carload of computer games and by lunchtime all were sold. With the development of the Macintosh, I then worked with Apple Computers for 10 years.

When did you arrive on Phuket? In 1992, I took a three month sabbatical, which lasted three years, skippering yachts in the Caribbean and Mediterranean. During this time I got to know the team at Sunsail well. In 1995, they asked me to come to Phuket as a skipper to help set up the Royal Yachting Association (RYA) Sailing School and I ended up as their Asia Sales and Marketing Manager.

Why did you decide to stay on Phuket? South East Asia has some amazing sailing destinations, so is an ideal place to be based. There are many new Asian sailing events in places like Korea, Japan, Hong Kong and China.

So what does your job involve? I'm an International Race Officer for the International Sailing Federation (ISAF) based in the UK. I'm like a referee or the conductor of an orchestra. I do everything from small events to the Olympics. For example, in one month last year I did regattas in five countries. I act as a consultant to create a template, if the event organisers require it, to run the regatta to the correct standards. Or I could advise on the types of boats, find volunteers, run seminars and train on the water staff. Hopefully, as a result of this type of work, more local Thais and foreigners will get more experience at running their own regattas.

What about your management/leadership style? I think of each event almost like a start-up where we can create something unique. I try to build what I do around the people taking part, who often pay a lot of money to be there. They want value for money.

What satisfaction do you get from doing this job? Seeing new events develop. Since the Asian Boating Awards and the Asian Marine Boating Awards started I've been associated with at least one of the winning entries every year. This year, Six Senses Phuket Raceweek won the Best Asian Regatta 2011.

Where do you live? I've been renting a house in Kathu for 10 years.

Why do you stay in Kathu? Kathu's central. There's easy access to Phuket Town and everywhere else.

What do you do besides work and sail? I cycle and enjoy photography. I also rent a place at Khanon, near Koh Samui, which is a great area for cycling. While travelling I also take a lot of photographs, many of which are used in travel brochures and publications like the Southeast Asia Pilot and the World Cruising Guide.

Why type of car do you drive? A 10-year-old Ford Mondeo that I've had for five or six years.
Are you married with children? No, but my Thai partner Kae and I have been together for 11 years. Kae runs the administration side of the Phuket King’s Cup Regatta. She also helped run The Bay Regatta - Phuket, Phang Nga, Krabi this year.

What do you particularly like about Phuket? The defining thing is it's the best of boating worlds. You can always find a deserted island where you're the only people there. Phuket has a good marine infrastructure and there are not many things you can't get done here.

What do you dislike about Phuket? Increased traffic, although that's relative. One thing that spoils it is that there are not many restaurants and bars actually on the beach. There's always a road between them.

What are you favourite places? On a yacht going out of Ao Chalong Bay.
I don’t spend a lot of time in Patong these days. I like the North Coast area.

What hobbies do you have? Computers and, as I mentioned before, photography. I set up websites within the sailing industry. I'd like to do a sailing podcast.

Do you support any charities? Most regattas in Thailand are non profit making and linked to charitable projects.

Where do you see the future of Phuket sailing going? We're slowly earning a reputation around the world for our regattas. I think Thailand will eventually become a destination for professional championships. We're gradually getting the facilities and we have great hospitality. We're putting Phuket on the yachting map.

How do you go about achieving this objective? We should establish a Phuket template. For example the Ao Chalong Yacht Club has just established a sailing school to teach skills like navigation. People here need to get the right qualifications and we need to build infrastructure. Hopefully we can work with the local authorities to put in the infrastructure. We need to show the world that we have both the facilities and the expertise here in Phuket.

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