As a published author and with a background in the Arts, John first joined Nelson Trust in 1997 to facilitate creative writing groups. Intrigued by what made a difference to the recovery of drug and alcohol dependent individuals he first completed a Post Grad Diploma in Addictions Counselling before going on to do a MSc in Mental health Studies at Kings College, London. As part of a senior management team which oversaw the next phase of development at the Trust, he completed the Sir Christopher Harding Leadership Award Program at Ashridge Business School.

He was appointed CEO in 2013. He has presented at local, regional, national and international conferences usually on development work at Nelson Trust and has written many articles for different treatment journals. His interests outside of work are Tottenham Hotspur, horse racing and the occasional round of golf though he hasn’t said in which order of preference.