After finishing school I did an apprenticeship at MAN and then I completed my national military service in a helicopter squadron.

Afterwards I studied automotive engineering at the Cologne University of Applied Science. Since then I've worked as an automotive test engineer in research and development for more then 30 years.

My most interesting jobs have been in motorsport, developing a 4 wheel drive system for a Paris - Dakar winner and guiding cars to 2nd overall at the 24 hour races at both Le Mans and the Nuerburgring.

Nowadays I'm leading a department that tests the latest development vehicles under the most severe conditions in-territory all over the world for one of the worlds largest automotive manufacturers.

In our private life, my wife and I are very interested in nature and outdoor activities spending lot's of time with our Goldendoodle dog in the forrests and fields surrounding our home, but also away in the Eifel National Park.

Additionally, we are keen gardeners growing our own potatos, veggies and fruits behind our house.

Together we also enjoy driving our Land Rover Discovery making journeys to go hiking in the mountains or spending time at the North Sea beaches.

Although we have loved to travel through the American wilderness and through New Zealand our favourite destinations are now the Scandinavian countries.

Additionally, we have a strong passion for the Scottish countrysite.

I went to Lapland for the first time in 1988 and since then I came back every year to the Arctic Circle or even further north and it's getting quite depressing to see and feel the results of the climate changes effecting the nature in the polar regions.

My regular means of transport is a Land Rover Discovery 4 (LR 4 in the US) and my wife drives a Ford Kuga which is called Escape in the US.

Although I haven't driven a motor cycle for some years now I would like to add a BMW GS 1200 Adventure to my stable in the near future.

I've completed several courses of the Land Rover Experience Driving Academy and try to improve my bush craft and bush cooking, overlanding and off road driving skills all the time.

Another interest is aviation, preferrably multi engined and prop driven aircraft and large transport helicopters as well as watches.

My favourites watches are the Breitling pilot chronos although I wear a Casio G-Shock most days since it is much more robust.

I've also got an interest in all sorts of outdoor gear and equipment with a passion for knives.

Whenever possible we enjoy oudoor cooking with our Dutch ovens as well as a BBQ using both char coal as well as gas.