For most of my working life I’ve been helping people communicate, connect and grow through training, coaching and public speaking. I still love that work - seeing someone discover their confidence or calm under pressure is deeply rewarding. Yet there was another kind of human moment that called to me.

That pull came into focus after I arranged a family funeral a few years ago. The person we were remembering had been complicated, and the relationships around them were too. It made me think carefully about how funerals should feel: honest, compassionate and free from the pressure to paint a life in perfect colours. I realised that creating that kind of ceremony - one that balances truth, kindness and dignity - was something I wanted to do more of.

As a celebrant, trained and certified by the Academy of Professional Celebrants, I bring the same skills I’ve always used: listening carefully, finding the right words, and helping people feel seen and supported. I’m not there to make speeches; I’m there to help you shape a ceremony that feels true to the person you’ve lost and to what they meant to you.

Outside work, you’ll often find me spending time with my wife, son and our dogs in the Hampshire countryside, or getting lost in historical archives (I’ve been researching my family tree for over 20 years) - and if there’s good coffee involved, all the better.