I’ve been shortlisted for a journalism award

 I’ve been shortlisted for a journalism award.

I’m not going to come over all modest and humble, because I am chuffed to bits about this.

I had a rough couple of years before deciding to try and get back in the game and do what I love the most.

The faith that TheBusinessDesk.com have shown in a veteran like me will be forever appreciated. The day Lee-J Walker rang me to pull me in from the wilderness was a game changer.

The stories I submitted to the esteemed judges were a mixture of styles, and included crime, corporate analysis and mental health advocacy. If you follow me then you can probably guess what they were.

Chairing the Mayor's Question Time in Bury

I was honoured to be asked to host the Mayor’s Question Time by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority in Bury.

I chose the questions submitted by the public, pooled a few common themes, made sure that the question was addressed by Andy Burnham.

The Mayor didn’t get sight of the questions beforehand, and he had his deputy and senior officers in the front row to answer specific points on delivery.

It’s not always comfortable for him, and by its very nature people who come to these events are passionate about their concerns and queries, but it’s such an important function of this new kind of direct democracy. 🙏