Patrick studied Computer Science and Electronics at Keele University, somehow obtaining a degree in 1988.

Initially working for the BBC (spinning molecules on an Acorn Archimedes computer for a programme called "Body Matters" with Graham Garden - if anybody remembers that), Patrick ended up at BBC Travel, developing the Travel Terminal. This became the catalyst to set up Nexus Alpha, the software was re-written by others as Tyrell and the rest, as they say, is history.

Outside of "directing" Nexus Alpha, Patrick is attempting to learn the guitar, and rumours that he performed at this year's V Festival are yet to be conclusively quashed.

Patrick runs a fair amount of the time (often for trains), but more professionally, in events such as the Great North Run half marathon, where his best time is 87:41, but was once overtaken by a man dressed as a giant banana.