Helllloooo!!!

I've been working in data foreeeeeeever. Well, since 2007 anyway, when work sent me on a course to learn Crystal Reports.

I was a university drop out who found themselves doing an admin job in a finance office and ended up being a bit nifty with Excel. And it all snowballed from there.

Before I knew it, I was a reporting analyst learning SQL, and then I moved on to designing and building data warehouses. Originally that was using the old school Microsoft Business Intelligence stack - SQL Server, SQL Server Integration Services, SQL Server Analysis Services and SQL Server Reporting Services. I was also an early adopter of Power BI, experimenting with it when it was first released back in 2015 (remember when it had a green logo?!?).

In more recent years I've graduated to cloud based platforms - Microsoft Fabric, Databricks, Azure Data Factory and Azure SQL Database amongst others - though being a good data professional isn't really about the tech. It's more about a solid understanding of the theories and concepts, and making sure it's built with a purpose that solves a real problem. Data for data's sake is a poor approach.

I call it the Greyskull Method. Get the grain right, get the model right, and half the "AI-ready platform" spend disappears. Fundamentals over fads, every time.

My data career has covered a variety of industries including defence, manufacturing, travel, online retail and financial services, with most recent roles working for consultancy firms. Want the fuller walkthrough? There's an interactive online CV to dig through.

I love working in data. For me it's not just a job, it's a vocation (urgh, that sounds sooooo cheesy but it's true). I'm a natural problem solver and data work absolutely scratches that itch, as well as giving opportunity to showcase some creativity too.

I enjoy getting involved with the data community and am one of the co-organisers of the Manchester Power BI and Fabric User Group. I'm also a regular speaker at events and have been fortunate to travel internationally to present at conferences. In 2024 I had my first book published, as co-author of Implementing Analytics Solutions using Microsoft Fabric.

Greyskull Analytics started back in 2021, originally as a blog and YouTube channel to help share that expertise. In 2025 it became a proper business - an independent data consultancy that allows for doing data a certain way, and building data solutions that make businesses better.

Outside of work I'm a fan of alternative music and you'll often see me at gigs. I'm a recovering cricketer who still occasionally gets sucked in to helping out my local team at the weekend. I love getting away with my wife and the dog in the campervan. And I've recently been bullied into becoming a season ticket holder for Preston North End, so you might see me accompanying my son in the Town End at Deepdale.

I look forward to working with you!