I was born in London, England.

As a child, I graduated from the Italia Conti Academy of the theatrical arts. I studied classical acting and as a child actor found minor success on the stage and on screens large and small. I dabbled in the arts in my early years, but it was my passion for re-enactment, Renaissance Faires and LARP which gave me my true calling. It was a move to the UK's smallest City, Chichester some 20 years ago where my career as a leather worker, armourer and costumer began.

As a Brit I was fortunate enough to be surrounded by history and every weekend my parents would drag me from one stately home to another. I didn’t mind though, as long as they let me see the armoury... and there was always an armoury. I spent hours staring at the plate mail and the chain mail and imagined myself as a swashbuckling Errol Flynn. Golden Age Hollywood sword and sandal epics were another of my passions.

Despite my love of history, I found little to guide me and no real industry to speak of... Undaunted, I forged my own path as an armourer, if you'll pardon the pun. As an entrepreneur, I try to test the boundaries of what's considered possible. In the past, I’ve been fortunate and my endeavours have led to my most spectacular designs, but I'd be lying if I said things always went to plan. Once such success was the launch of one of the world’s fastest growing maker's communities. It is this community which inspired me to create the Academy and it is to the community that I dedicate this, my crowd-driven passion.

In my opus, learners will find my life's true work and follow the very path I lead some 25 years ago. I doubt I'll ever get to retire properly though, and in the worlds or Robert Jordan... I'll still be working when they nail my coffin shut.  I now reside in the historic town of Stratford-upon-Avon, the original birth place of my inspiration, where my dream continues.