I was born in Glasgow in 1964 and I lived in various part of the city until the late 70’s. I subsequently moved to Kilmarnock where I have lived since. I was educated at James Hamilton Academy until being politely asked to leave.

Expulsion is such a harsh word, isn’t it?

Following a frankly ludicrous early foray into sporadic employment (Undertakers, Ice Cream Parlour, Tennis Groundsman, DJ…I’ll save these stories until I know you better) I found myself at Glasgow School of Art, studying architecture.

In 1992 I graduated from the Mackintosh School of Architecture. I am now the Design Director of one of Scotland’s largest, oldest and most successful practices, Keppie Design. Funny old world, eh?

I have worked all over the world and I led our practice strategy for projects in countries as diverse as China, Egypt, Malaysia, India and Libya. I am a designated business leader for East Ayrshire Council, a Board Mentor for Entrepreneurial Spark and I was design advisor to Strathclyde Passenger Transport for their modernisation programme of the Glasgow Subway in advance of the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

I’m married to Elaine and I have two children, Nathan and Nadia, who have both signed legally binding agreements to house me in the best Old Folks Home my money can buy.

I’m a Chelsea fan – from long before the cash-rich days – and I occasionally write stream of consciousness rubbish for @ByTheMinChelsea and other @ByTheMinSport feeds on Twitter.

My most prized possession is a signed Joe Strummer LP, and The Last Days Of Disco is my first novel. Anything else you’d like to know?