Alan is a Chartered Engineer, a Member of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (I Mech E) and a Member of the Institution of Enterprise and Entrepreneurs (IoEE). He is an IoEE accredited Business Adviser. Following an apprenticeship at Vickers Shipbuilding & Engineering Ltd. (Barrow) and Newcastle University, Alan spent 25 years in industry, mostly working in R&D, until moving into Business Support with Business Link in 2004. Since 2011 Alan has been self-employed working on contracts with Britain's Energy Coast, Cumbria Chamber of Commerce, NDA, PERA, Growth Accelerator, Cumbria Business Growth Hub, Eden District Council, UCLan and several private clients. He is a registered Growth Accelerator Coach, NDA Mentor, PERA Associate, Growth Voucher Business Adviser and MAS Consultant.