Philip Hirst

I am argumentative, strong willed and very determined. I had to be, competing as a child with six older brothers and four older sisters. My eldest brother, Roland, was a chief engineer. Mike was a works manager at a glass factory.
I was determined not to follow either brother into industry as I wanted primarily to work in an office. The Civil Service offered that, and security.
I am primarily a family man, and love nature, animals and people.
Having served thirty-three years with HM Customs & Excise, I took early retirement at fifty-one and set up a small investigation company.
In 2001, my wife and I moved to Tenerife where we have a five acre finca. We grow bananas, which we sell to the local cooperative, and many different fruits, and have our own small vineyard.