I was born in County Durham and educated in Scarborough then Winchester, before medical school training in Nottingham.

I joined the Army for a short service commission and trained as a GP, leaving after the first Gulf War with the rank of major. A colleague in the Army inspired me to take forward an existing interest in ophthalmology into a career, and I trained in Newcastle, Norwich and Cambridge.

I specialised in glaucoma management with a particular interest in glaucoma surgery, and I was appointed in 1998 to York as a consultant with this interest. I set up a specialist glaucoma service which delivered 200 glaucoma procedures and more than 15,000 glaucoma consultations per year, as well as offering training to young ophthalmologists.

I was chair of the medical staff in York for four years and chaired the Yorkshire Glaucoma Symposium for 10 years. While in York I was a founder member of our local private partnership and a director of Consultant Eye Surgeons UK, out of which I was also a founder director of Newmedica.

I am a consultant ophthalmic surgeon with over 15 years’ experience, specialising in oculoplastics (eyelid surgery), lacrimal (tear duct) and orbital surgery.

I have been past senior Vice President and Honorary Secretary of The Royal College of Ophthalmologists, UK and currently chair the External/Invited Service Review Group of the College. I act as an expert advisor on devices to the MHRA (Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Agency) and was involved with the national working groups that wrote the cosmetic surgery and refractive surgery guidelines.

I am a founder member of the British Oculoplastics Surgery Society (BOPSS) and a member of the European Society of Ophthalmic Plastics and Reconstructive Surgery (ESOPRS).

I’m an avid believer in providing high-quality services for patients in an NHS setting and enjoy teaching and training.