I was born hundreds of years ago in the UK and live in Yorkshire. I migrate back to my home county of Kent on a regular basis taking life as it comes. 

I spent most of my early life chasing the material dream. By the age of 37 I had achieved it, or so I thought. Then after a couple of life changing events I realised that life was not all it's cracked up to be. Materialism was left behind and in it's place came time to enjoy life. Life was no longer an emergency. 

At that point I was the operations director for a national company, I resigned  as it was no longer fun. I used to deal with the oil industry and loved it, but the late eighties were not a good time for businesses here in the UK. I moved into the property sector and set up a small management company dealing with residential lettings in Southern England. and the rest as they say is history. 

Nowadays I have a fare amount of spare time as the business virtually runs itself. (My staff might say otherwise) So much so that I spent three years renovating and reconstructing my home in Yorkshire. (That seems so long ago now 2007 to 2009) Now I get the time to enjoy it. I have a wonderful partner, Moira and we enjoy life to the full.

I have worked with HFHI on numerous projects as listed above.  My overwhelming passion is for India. I think I left my heart there and it keeps drawing me back. That said, I love working in any country and I only wish I had more time to organise more projects than the two (sometimes 3) I currently manage each year. 

I have Travelled extensively throughout Europe, Canada and America. I love to cook, walk, ride my motorcycle (not a Harley but a 200mph crotch rocket), music, spend time with friends, and making new ones, see the real world whilst giving something back and spend time working out which project I will get involved with next. 

I take my position as a Team Leader very seriously and strive to give my team members the best experience both in the build up to, and the time they spend in country. I aim to build a team that will work hard and play hard together, and one that is fun loving and adventurous. I must get something right as I seem to have a lot of repeat offenders joining my projects. 

"What floats my boat?"  People, Life and a sense of humour that is a little left of sensible. 
  

You are welcome to take a look at my photo gallery which will give you an idea of the various projects, build styles and locations. Just click on the link.   View Ray's photo Gallery
If you would like any further information or details of current or future projects, please send your request to ray@sovereign-estates.com  

My Maxim: 'Life should  NOT  be a journey to the grave with the intention of  arriving  safely in an attractive and well preserved  body, but rather  to skid in sideways - Chardonnay in one  hand - chocolate in  the other - body thoroughly used up,  totally worn out and screaming 'WOO  HOO, What a  Ride'   
    

Just so that all team members know exactly how my trips will be run (in a fashion I call spiritually diverse and religiously neutral) where I welcome people of all and no faiths or belief systems. The ‘spiritual’ criteria I look for is a sincere desire to give, to serve others selflessly, to want to make a positive difference in the world, to be open respectful and tolerant, caring and compassionate, understanding and flexible.  I look for awesome ‘can do’ and ‘what I can do to help’ attitudes, and openness to,  and respect for, cultural and religious diversity within the team as well as the community we will be working in.