Alan has lived within a few hundred yards from the canals pretty much all of his life, and has a genuine love of narrow boats.

Alan is a master cabinetmaker, furniture restorer and also has qualifications in building design and construction. He taught joinery in the US and then returned to England to set up his own specialist joinery and furniture restoration company. His company has since won numerous trade and new product design awards. He also designed and built his own home.

His TV appearances and expertise have featured on Discovery Real Time’s successful series of, Narrow boat, Restoration Man, Barn Free and Challenge Tommy Walsh, to name a few.  Alan's great strength is in the way he effortlessly connects with people particularly when joining them in a practical task or activity.

Alan's skills as a carpenter, builder and enthusiastic amateur engineer has been put to full use throughout the making of the Narrow Boat series.