I was born in 1956 (in Longbenton), and have lived all my life on Tyneside. I came back into adult education in 1980 when I started taking courses with the WEA (Workers' Educational Association). Within a year I had been recruited as a WEA volunteer, and shortly afterwards was Secretary of Whitley Bay WEA Branch, helping with the organisation and planning of courses for adults. Thereafter I was Chair of Newcastle WEA Branch, and was taking part in WEA affairs both regionally and nationally.

I first trained as a tutor in 1986, when I completed the C&G 730 Further Education Teachers Cert. Straight afterwards I took the RSA Teachers' Cert in IT. I was also, at that point, part of the teaching team for North Tyneside College (now Tyne Met) C&G 730. Later this led to doing the Vocational Assessor's Award and a Licentiate with the City & Guilds (LCGI). By 1997 I had completed my Degree in FE with Sunderland University (with first-class honours).

Throughout this time I spent my career teaching ICT, Teacher Education, Philosophy, Politics, Science, Music History and Gender Issues. I've worked almost continually as a contractual part-time teacher, and have been employed by most of the FE, ACL and HE organisations in the Tyneside area. I still work for the WEA. In 2000 I was one of the prize winners in the NIACE national Tutor Awards.

In 1995 I was the founder (and thereafter the General Secretary) of the Association of Part-Time Tutors (APTT) – a voluntary organisation set up to support, advise and train part-time tutors/lecturers in the further and adult education sector.

By 2009 I had joined the Institute for Learning (IfL), and stood for election as a member of the Institute's national Council. I was elected to Council that same year. I also applied for Qualified Teacher, Learning & Skills – and was awarded QTLS in 2010. When the elections for IfL President came along, I decided to have a try for the job. Much to my surprise, I was successful The President's role has given me a very wide range of experience and insight into how the further education system works, and allowed to meet a great many IfL members around the country. Just recently I was also appointed as National Ambassador for the WEA. It's been quite an amazing journey!