I am a British citizen, with multinational work experience. I have been an amateur astronomer since I was eight years old and joined the British Astronomical Association in May 1968. Real life took over for a while, but since my retirement in 2018, I have returned with passion to my ancient hobby and love being outside under the stars again. I am a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society, the deputy editor of Popular Astronomy, the magazine of the Society of Popular Astronomy in the UK; the treasurer of my local astronomical society and I sit on the committee of the UK Commission for Dark Skies. Variable star recording is part of my every clear night activity. I believe my background in sales, marketing and fundraising will help boost awareness of AAVSO, especially outside the United States, and promote its activities to the wider astronomical community.