Q: How did you start out in your career?

A: "I started straight out of university—managing to get a job as a runner with the BBC at Television Centre in London," he affectionately recalls. "I felt so lucky to be inside this huge, center of television production, where I suddenly found myself rubbing shoulders with famous faces and on the sets of the biggest television shows."

“I worked on everything from documentaries to Strictly Come Dancing, comedy with Armando Iannucci. I'll never forget being almost the only person on the studio floor during Pearl Jam's sound check for The Jools Holland Show. And yes, Anne Robinson of The Weakest Link is just as scary in real life.”

Q: What was your 'big break'?

A: After about 10 years working my way to becoming a Director, an Executive Producer I'd worked with at ITV called Ed Sayer had become a commissioner at National Geographic. He put me forward for a directing role on a series filming at Dubai Airport. I absolutely loved it – the storytelling, reacting to whatever unfolded in front of you. One day, we caught a passenger trying to smuggle suitcases filled with live snakes, pythons, monkeys, and even a baby orangutan. It was heartbreaking, but I was hooked on observational documentaries. I spent six months filming the series and was promoted to series producer for the next season.

Q: What's been your most successful work?

A: Ultimate Airport Dubai became National Geographic's most popular series at the time. It was broadcast in 170 territories, translated into almost 50 languages, and reached nearly 300 million viewers. Ice Airport Alaska for Smithsonian Channel and George Clarke's Remarkable Renovations for Channel 4 have also been highlights.

Q: What makes your programmes work so well?

A: They tell engaging stories through the eyes of normal people – everyday heroes who don't realize what they do is actually remarkable. The staff at airports have huge responsibilities on their shoulders, where one tiny lapse in concentration could cause a major incident. We give viewers access to things people wouldn't otherwise see – whether it's engineers fixing aircraft, airport police and fire teams, or air traffic controllers.

Q: Any particularly memorable moments?

A: So many! I've flown with NOAA’s Hurricane Hunters studying America's most unpredictable weather patterns, filmed alongside the CDC as the first repatriation flight from Wuhan landed in the US just before Covid hit, and been in a British Army Chinook helicopters and worked alongside SAS soldiers. One of these elite troops told me he was cycling home after a long week of work, just over 100 miles away. "It will only take a few hours," he said casually.

Q: You've worked with some big names – any good anecdotes?

A: I made a series with Chef Ramsay called 'The F Word'. We spent weeks driving around the UK visiting restaurants in search of the best chefs. He and I got on very well – always laughing and eating great food. What many people don't realize is he's one of the best chefs on the planet. What he creates in a short time with simple ingredients almost defies belief.

Last year, I had dinner in one of his London restaurants for my birthday with friends. Gordon was there with his wife and came over, made everyone laugh, then presented us with champagne and free desserts for the whole table. Many people don't realize from his tough TV persona that he's actually extremely kind.

Q: What's your proudest achievement?

A: 'Surgeons: A Matter of Life or Death' for Channel 5. We followed surgeons at one of the UK's largest hospitals performing complex procedures, including transplants, brain tumor removals, and critical heart surgery. Being in the operating theatres with the camera was incredibly inspiring. These surgeons are like magicians.

What struck me most was the bravery of the patients. Seeing them say goodbye to loved ones, being wheeled into theatre, watching anesthesia take effect – I was constantly in awe of their fighting spirit. You suddenly realize you could be documenting these people's last words. As storytellers, there's a great responsibility which comes with that.

Q: What's the biggest lesson you've learned?

A: Honesty and integrity are fundamental. Almost everyone we approach about filming has had previous bad experiences with productions that weren't truthful or professional. I've built my reputation on establishing trust with whoever we're filming – and then maintaining it.

Q: What are you working on now?

A: I've just finished a new HGTV series called 'Castle Impossible', following an American couple renovating a 16th-century chateau outside Paris. It's filled with drama, seemingly impossible challenges, humor and spectacular renovations. It premieres on April 29th.

Q: And what's next?

A: I'm working with James Blue, former head of Smithsonian Channel. He's won 10 Emmys and numerous other awards. We're developing some hugely exciting access documentaries in the space and aviation sector. I remember our first video call – he had this long row of Emmys in the background. I jokingly said, "That's one very impressive flex," and he smiled and replied, "That's only half of them." He's a real inspiration.