I arrived in Dundee in 1997 to take up the job of Arts and Heritage Manager. The main reason I came here to work in the arts was to do with the 'buzz' being created by the setting up of Dundee Contemporary Arts, the reputation of Duncan and Jordanstone and knowing that Dundee Rep was here.Pragmatically I also knew that I could find somewhere good to live but with access to all these facilities and SPL football! 

I joined the senior management team based at McManus Galleries to bring the DCA project through to it's opening in 1999 when it opened to popular acclaim and hasn't looked back since.With DCA up and running I moved back to McManus Galleries in early 2001. It was always clear to me that redeveloping McManus Galleries and it's displays should be the next 'big thing' so we lodged the first application to the Heritage Lottery Fund in late 2001.

It's been a long haul but we will re-open in 2010 and I am sure that the new McManus:Dundee's Art Gallery and Museum will make a huge impact on how people view their city and be a source of immense pride in all the diverse facets of it's heritage.

We are really lucky in the legacy left by Dundee's Victorian industrialists not only in terms of the buidling itself but the internationally important collections brought here from all over the world. So all the ingredients are now here, a fantastic building beautifully restored, internationally important collections, an enthusiastic and knowledgeable staff team, an enquiring public and a supportive council. We are confident we will have the best regional museum service in Scotland.

With the V and A development on the waterfront Dundee has yet another opportunity to make the next step change and stake further it's claim for cultural excellence.

Dundee has been good to me and my family. Both boys have done well at Harris Academy and my wife, Carole, works at Ancrum Road School and sings with the Loadsaweemin (Dundee Reps womens singing group) and the Lazy Susans (a four voice accapella group) I think it is this lively culture where you can see and experience high quality but also participate that makes Dundee such a good place to be.

Having lived in Suffolk,Edinburgh, Lincoln, Winchester and Dumfries and Galloway I have friends and relations all over the UK who are always impressed when I show them 'my' Dundee.

The McManus: Dundee's Art Gallery and Museum