With a career spanning public service, education, and social history, Alan brings depth, clarity, and real-world insight to his teaching. He began in local government planning, before moving into business management and workforce development, alongside completing an Open University degree in Social Science and Technology and a Master’s in Environment, Policy and Society. After gaining a PGCE (Post-16) at University of Huddersfield, he went on to lecture across Further and Higher Education, becoming a Fellow of the Institute for Learning.

Alan’s professional journey also includes senior advisory roles with West Yorkshire Enterprise Agency and Business Link Yorkshire, where he progressed to Principal Business Adviser covering West Yorkshire. He later lectured at Sheffield Hallam University in the School of Business. Since retiring, Alan has continued to share his passion for ideas and place as a group leader with the University of the Third Age (U3A), teaching social history and human geography, and has founded an e-journal exploring social affairs, history, and politics across the South West.

His teaching combines academic rigour with lived experience—making complex ideas accessible, relevant, and genuinely engaging.