I grew up on a sheep and beef farm in the hills near Exmoor, Somerset, UK, and trained as an agricultural engineer and mechanic at Lackham College in Chippenham, Wiltshire.
I first came to New Zealand in 2012 to visit my godparents, who farm near Pleasant Point in South Canterbury, and I quickly realised I wanted to make the country my home. I spent a season working for a cropping farmer in Geraldine before moving into sales, spending four years as a tractor dealer covering South Canterbury.
With a strong engineering and mechanical background, I was ready to take the next step: starting my own business. I saw an opportunity in the market for a high-quality S-tine cultivator.
A friend sent me a video of a German-built Köckerling Allrounder working in the UK, and it immediately stood out as a great fit for Canterbury—and eventually the rest of New Zealand once it had proven itself.
In late 2017, Ikon Machinery imported its first container-load of Köckerling cultivators. The Köckerling company has been fantastic to work with. While Ikon Machinery began with Köckerling, we’ve since expanded to include other premium brands, reflecting my focus on selecting machinery for quality and performance rather than cutting corners.
Away from work, I’m married to Kim and a proud father to Lily and Bobby. I love staying active outdoors, enjoying polo, water skiing, and skiing whenever I get the chance.