About Me
Engineering
I spent the first decade of my working life in engineering. I completed a four year apprenticeship at GEC Turbine Generators in Trafford Park and stayed with the company a further two years as an electrical and instrumentation draughtsman. I then moved to BNFL at Risley as a contract control & instrumentation designer and was promoted to assistant engineer before the contract finished in 1991.
Finchdecor
In 1992 I founded a retail business called Finch Decorating Supplies (later shortened to Finchdecor), supplying both trade and DIY customers with paints, wallcoverings and sundries.
At first I ran the business by myself, but as turnover grew, I employed various family members and was later joined by my wife Gillian. My responsibilities included business developments and training, and the implementation of all IT, stock control, invoicing, credit control and accounting systems. I also enjoyed using vector graphics software to design advertising leaflets, point of sale signage and writing the monthly trade news letter.
As fashions changed, we became a paint colour mixing specialist. Extensive research lead to my developing a unique colour consultancy service and producing promotional and educational copy, both as printed hand out pamphlets and in further detailed sections at the business website. My experienced understanding of the paint colour tinting systems enabled production of bespoke colour matches to customers’ samples (not just to the closest indexed colour like the big stores) with incremental adjustment to reduce metamerism and colour constancy light source issues.
In the summer of 2006, during the decorating industry's decline and preceding that of the housing market, Gill and I decided to close the business and liquidate our assets. The sale of the building was completed in January 2007.
... and Now
I am now semi-retired and work part time as a consultant offering the tuition and support services detailed at this website. At first, I offered a plethora of business IT and accounting support services but now specialise in web design and photography.
I also write tutorials, articles and reviews.
Hobbies & Interests
My wife and I take regular caravanning trips to various northern UK locations. During these breaks, I practice my landscape photography. Other interests include music and cooking.
