I grew up making things - first as a child helping my father around the house, then as a teenager folding endless paper aeroplanes and inventing small contraptions. That early curiosity for hands-on problem solving set the tone for everything I do.

When I finally had my own shed, it became a proper workshop: a place to collect tools and test bigger ideas. With space and kit, projects grew in scale and ambition. I taught myself 3D printing and CAD, producing small items for friends and experimenting with designs until I’d saved enough to upgrade to a larger, more capable printer. That step unlocked more complex work and a sharper understanding of material, form, and function.

To expand my capabilities further, I added a small desktop CNC machine to the shed. Using my 3D printer and some custom upgrades, I modified the CNC so it could tackle aluminium and brass. Combining additive and subtractive techniques let me iterate faster and make more robust parts. With the arrival of a forge, whole new techniques were available. My father and I learned the basics together - at first improvising with a sledgehammer bolted to a bench as a makeshift anvil - later investing in a larger anvil and a proper forging hammer. This opened the door to producing larger, higher-quality components.

That journey of self-taught experimentation eventually led me beyond the shed and onto the national stage. I entered in the Additive Manufacturing skill of the 2024 WorldSkills UK National Competition, where I was able to put my years of problem solving and design iteration to the test. Competing against some of the most talented individuals in the country, I was proud to take home the Gold medal. It was a significant personal achievement, serving as a bridge between those early days of paper aeroplanes and the complex, high-precision craft I do today.

Following that success, I am now training as part of Squad UK, working towards the goal of competing internationally at WorldSkills Shanghai 2026. Today, my workshop blends digital tools and traditional crafts. I enjoy solving practical challenges, refining techniques, and turning simple ideas into durable, well-crafted objects.