At Rullion, I work as a Divisional Manager within the Construction market, specialising in Mechanical and Electrical requirements for my commercial and industrial clients. 
I’ve been working at Rullion for almost 9 years now and I am part of a small but strong team of two. I have a long background in recruitment with almost 26 years of experience.
Before Rullion, I worked for seven years in a Civil Service role at the Job Centre, which is where my passion and drive for recruitment first started to develop.
I have also worked with two national recruitment businesses and one independent one, meaning my experience in recruitment has been extremely varied.
The Nature Reserve
I have been involved with St. Mary’s Island Wildlife Conservation Society (SMIWCS, formerly St. Mary’s Seal Watch) since July 2018 and, with my daughter, I spend about three hours on the island every week.
"I was the stereotypical fat-lad who wasn’t particularly interested in anything that didn’t involve pubs and football"
My involvement came about initially as a result of my daughter’s interest in animals and conservation. I was the stereotypical fat-lad who wasn’t particularly interested in anything that didn’t involve pubs and football before she came along. She wanted to join activities like beach-cleans, so we went along to some events organized by the Sea Shepherd and Surfers Against Sewage where we met some interesting characters. Everyone from families with toddlers to Hunt Saboteurs attend these events. I found their passion for their various causes pretty inspiring, so when the opportunity to work with the Seal Watch group came along, I was keen to find out more about what they did.
SMIWCS is an independent organization run completely by volunteers. The purpose of the project is to protect the wildlife habitats on the St. Mary’s Island Nature Reserve, which is a “part-time” island (it is connected to the mainland by a causeway that is only passable when the tide is low). The island is on the North East coast at Whitley Bay.
We look for ways to minimize disturbance of the seal colony and other wildlife that use the island by engaging with visitors, providing them information on grey seals, explaining why they are there and why it is important for people to allow them space to rest. We also carry out research on the numbers of seals / birds that use the island for local universities and other conservation projects, log visitor numbers, record incidences of disturbance and provide support for community events and open days.
The time I get to spend on the island can be quite therapeutic. Early mornings are particularly enjoyable as it is usually peaceful, however we do get some fantastic storms. We had a lucky escape during one particularly severe storm. We were sheltering in the dilapidated building which the bird spotters use. The rain had been hammering down all morning, it was dark and the sky had a green tinge to it. There was a terrific bang and a blinding flash. The light-house (no more than five or six meters from us) had been struck by lightning, which could be heard sizzling down the lightening conductor. I’ve not got much hair now, but what I had took on a similar style to Marv from Home Alone.
"I have walked around with my eyes closed for 50 years, and it took a ten year old to show me what I was missing."
Covid has had a hugely disruptive effect on the nature reserve. There was a period when we were prevented from volunteering on the island due to lockdown.
Unfortunately we received regular reports of encroachment onto the nature reserve which we could do nothing to prevent. Human curiosity can be a big problem. During lock-down the seal colony numbers reduced from around 100 in March to 0 (zero) in June. The numbers are slowly increasing but it will take some time (several months) for the colony to re-establish itself (assuming it does).
We occasionally have to deal with confrontational situations, often caused by fishermen, divers and photographers. There are always people who will do whatever they like. Fortunately 99% of visitors to the island are responsible and interested in the welfare of the wildlife.
I love my time I spend on the island and wouldn't change it for the world. I have walked around with my eyes closed for 50 years, and it took a ten year old to show me what I was missing.
