Mark has been a car journalist for 13 years, and has written for most of the UK’s major car print magazines and websites. He more recently has scripted and presented videos for a variety of publications including Auto Trader, and has appeared as a motoring expert on ITV News. His video content on the Honest John YouTube channel, which he ran single-handedly for three years, has twice won recognition at the prestigious Newspress car industry awards, ahead of the likes of Top Gear and Carwow.
Mark studied Journalism at Sunderland University (class of 2008) with the aim of earning a career writing about cars. During third year he was offered a job with renowned automotive weekly magazine Auto Express. After a successful spell there, including writing cover features and a column, Mark moved back to his Geordie homeland and spent the next few years writing for a range of national newspapers, magazines and websites, including The Independent, The Irish Times, The Sun, The Guardian, AOL, Yahoo, Car Magazine and Top Gear
A short career diversion into car company PR followed during which Mark won the Newspress PR Rising Star of the Year award. Then, in 2015, Mark began presenting videos for one of the UK’s largest motoring websites, HonestJohn.co.uk. It was there that Mark developed his unique presenting style, which combines wit, enthusiasm, knowledge and occasional nonchalance. This style means Mark is able to engage audiences by appealing to both hardcore car geeks and those with only a passing interest. A rare skill.
Away from cars Mark writes screenplays, runs half marathons, plays drums and guitar, writes music and enjoys fashion.
