In his former life Alan ran his own
printing business in Northamptonshire, before giving up the day job and 'retiring'
to Brixham in 1995. He and his wife Jan sailed around the world from 1998-2000
on their Warrior 40 'Nikita', after which he qualified as an RYA yachting instructor,
mostly working for NonStop Sail in Dartmouth and Dart Harbour Sea School. He races on board "Firefox", and cruises when possible on his own Dufour 41 "Nikita2". He joined BYC House Committee in 2003, and produced the Club's newsletter "Mainsheet" from 2004-2007. He was vice commodore from 2005 to 2007, when he became commodore, and he represents the Club on the board of Brixham 21.