Freelance since 2005, I work from an office at my home in rural Suffolk. But for more than seven years I was on staff at Auto Express, Britain’s biggest selling weekly car magazine. I joined as a news and features writer in 1998 before being promoted to deputy news editor, news editor and then news and features editor.

By the time I left I had been associate editor for two years, and a head of department for four. I managed a staff of four writers and countless freelance contributors. Responsibilities included news and features editing every week, commissioning copy, co-ordinating international motor show coverage and editing special projects. I’ve appeared on TV and national and local radio many times as a motoring commentator.

I joined Auto Express from the Grimsby Evening Telegraph, where I was a senior reporter. I covered Crown Court cases, council meetings and a huge variety of other local stories. Prior to Grimsby I was on the Scunthorpe Evening Telegraph doing similar work but in a smaller office.

I've got an NCTJ post-graduate qualification in journalism (I'm a 'proper' journalist with shorthand and all that stuff), and an honours degree in law.