I was brought up in North Derbyshire. Following undergraduate study in maths & economics, and subsequent postgraduate study at Warwick, I joined Durham University in the mid 1970s as a Senior Research Assistant on a one-year contract. Some 40 plus years later, and having held a variety of positions (including Dean of Social Sciences, Principal of two Colleges and having been promoted to Professor of Economics in 1996), I left in 2017.
I started playing bridge in my 30s and am competent at the game. I Chair the Durham City Club and am Secretary to North Eastern Bridge Association.