An interview with John Hemingway, Chief Information Office at Durham University.

Name: John Hemingway

Job title: Chief Information Officer

Can you describe your day job in a sentence or two?
I am the Chief Information Officer at Durham University. I am responsible for the day to day management of CIS and the delivery of technology strategy and services more broadly. I am also a member of the University Executive.

I find it very relaxing and the perfect antidote to the stresses of working life.

What’s your hidden talent(s)?
  I have two creative hobbies in counted cross stitch and scale model making. I make scale models of trains, ships and trams and I also create artwork for our home through stitching, either kits or from photographs.

How did you get into it / how did you find out you had a skill in this area?
I learned my model making skills from my late father. We used to make Airfix kits together when I was a boy. I was much older when I discovered stitching. I wanted a new hobby and my then mother in law bought me a kit and I was hooked.

Why is it important to you / why might others like to find out more?
I find it very relaxing and the perfect antidote to the stresses of working life. Creating artwork and delightful objects that I can display is a bonus. I also love learning new skills and challenging myself with different kits and projects.