"Creating consumes. It is all day, every day. It knows neither weekends nor vacations. It is not when we feel like it. It is habit, compulsion, obsession, vocation."

Excerpted from 'How to Fly a Horse' by Kevin Ashton

After a start in the sign-making industry as a vinyl graphics operator, I studied at Auckland's top advertising school, and my head exploded with creativity I didn't realise I had. After a prodigious few years working on everything from beer to banking at M&C Saatchi and independent agency Sugar, I headed to the UK in 2008.

Joining the healthcare agency Langland was an unexpected sideways step, but one that got me into digital, strategic thinking, and working on campaigns for European and global markets.

From 2012 I began exploring a more diverse working style. A documentary filmmaking diploma opened up a whole new world of freelance projects and collaborations.

I've been gently pursuing documentary ambitions but still have a passion for good branding, design and advertising. While back in New Zealand in 2016-2017 , I took on a Creative Director role at the independent healthcare agency Essence. Now I'm back in the UK and chasing down the world-class opportunities that come from being at this end of the world.

While I'm more driven these days by work that has purpose and ethics than by awards, I'm still proud of the stack I picked up in the UK, including Gold and 'Best in Show' IPAs, and internationally, two Clios. Most are healthcare-related, but with the boom in creativity and quality in this industry niche, awards are no easy thing to win. I've even notched up a few for my filmmaking skills too.

For a full list of awards, check out my Linkedin.