Gary spent his career within H M Civil Service and Local Government, in finance, Benefits, Government grants and taxation roles. He most enjoyed dealing with the public and engaging with speciality interest groups within Newcastle at their own locations. This promoted access to services for those who are often excluded.

He has spent considerable time since 2017 working in a voluntary capacity with Newcastle Hospitals, in various roles. This expanded Gary’s knowledge of how a large hospital operates and how patients navigate NHS services – not always successfully.

Gary started working with the team in 2020, at the inception of the Insight Panel – during Covid. This presented some challenges in assembling as a group for a few years!

Acting as a ‘’sounding board’’ for prospective research proposals from scientific professionals was a key incentive for Gary to participate on the Insight Panel. The unique input and perspectives of the Insight Panel have influenced a huge variety of (successfully funded!) research projects.

Gary retains a keen interest in identifying how health research can become much more accessible to the wider public, especially those who are generally never invited or involved, thereby missing out on interesting opportunities because of barriers that can often be overcome.