A little bit of background...
Life is a rollercoaster...
The good bits
-
I live in the Cotswolds with my wife, three kids and three dogs
-
I had a happy career in advertising and marketing
-
I then started my own studio making mobile games called Neon Play
-
We’ve had 200 million downloads (but also a lot of failed games)
-
The company was sold in 2016 to Hachette, a large book publisher
-
I won UK Entrepreneur of the Year Award
-
I am truly honoured to be a Deputy Lieutenant of Gloucestershire
-
I've been very lucky to have met King Charles and Queen Elizabeth
The bad bits
-
I had to retake my French A Level after I failed it
-
I got rejected by 20 ad agencies on the university milkround
-
My first company made cartoon stationery, but went bust
-
I ordered 300 sunshades to sell at a car show - it rained all weekend
-
I wrote my first car off just a week after I passed my driving test
-
I choked badly on some veal and needed the Heimlich Manoeuvre
-
I was sacked from WHSmith for singing MC Hammer to my boss!
-
I was sued on the first day of a company launch by my former boss
Founder & CEO
2010-Present
Neon Play
-
Our first game Flick Football went above Angry Birds in the charts
-
Winner of Queens Award for Enterprise in Innovation
-
Roller Splat is our biggest hit to date with 65 million downloads
-
Sold the company to Hachette in 2016
Voluntary role
2017-Present
Deputy-Lieutenant of Gloucestershire
-
Representing HM The King in the county
-
Helping with royal visits to support the Lord-Lieutenant
-
Attending citizenship ceremonies to welcome new British citizens
Founder
2013-Present
Rock the Cotswolds
-
A not-for-profit social enterprise that I started
-
The aim is to change perceptions of the area to retain & attract talent
-
Run events and initiatives, driving word of mouth and networking
Board member
2013-2016
Cheltenham Festivals
-
Worked across four festivals - Music, Science, Literature & Jazz
-
Supported the executive team with quarterly meetings
-
Pushed for more digital innovation across the business
Creative Director
2004-2010
Inbox Digital
-
Helped grow a small, talented digital agency in Wiltshire
-
Eventually sold to Digital Marketing Group plc
-
Won many awards for brands like Pringles, Gillette, Panasonic & Post-it
Creative Director
2000-2004
Panlogic
-
Digital marketing agency that survived the dotcom boom and bust
-
Led creative team working on websites, email marketing online ads & games
-
Award-winning work for lastminute.com, Ferrari, L’Oreal, BBC and ITV
Copywriter
1999-2000
Billington Cartmell
-
Sole copywriter at through-the-line marketing agency
-
The most exciting year of my early working life
-
Worked on big brands like Coca-Cola, Kit-Kat, Carlsberg, Polo and Disney
I’m not too bothered by CVs really, but in case you’re wondering...
CV or not CV?
Two truths, one lie…
Which one isn’t true?
a) I once played the piano for S Club 7
b) I am named after the musical “Oliver!”
c) I was once approached to work for MI5
The answer is C
Life is a box of chocolates...
The random bits
-
I used to be a radio DJ and an LTA tennis coach
-
I used to design T-shirts and run student nightclubs
-
I scored a penalty at Chelsea FC
-
I applied to be England football manager (Venables got it )
-
I’ve gone 100mph on a zip wire (not easy with vertigo!)
-
I danced live in front of 650 people at the Everyman Theatre
-
I did the Gumball Rally going to St Petersburg & back in 5 days
-
I've spoken in Parliament, Gloucester Cathedral and GCHQ
-
My happy place is the Isle of Wight
The regret bits
-
I wish I had travelled more in my 20s
-
I wish I’d gone to more concerts in the 90s to see the big pop acts
-
I wish I’d watched more live sport in the last 30 years
-
I wish I’d persevered more to find my dream job as a copywriter
-
I wish I'd left old jobs earlier when I wasn't happy