That passion for cycling and hands-on engineering led to him making custom-made bike frames between assignments as an archaeologist. A chance conversation with a customer in 1996 led to him making his first racing wheelchair, and a career was set in motion.
Draft Wheelchairs was co-founded by Dan the following year to engineer racing wheelchairs for athletes all over the world. In 20 years, Dan has made over 650 racing chairs, including chairs for winning Paralympic athletes such as David Weir CBE and Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson. Since the Sydney 2000 Games, Draft Racing wheelchairs have won a total of 47 Paralympic medals.
However, it isn’t just athletes who have benefited from Dan’s work. Dan has also designed over 400 tailor-made handcycles, rowing seats, water-ski seats and day chairs. Caroline says: “Dan and the team at Draft Wheelchairs have improved the lives of many people with limited mobility. A friend with MS told me that having a Draft Wheelchair has improved the quality of her life no end.”
In 2012, the Royal Academy of Engineering bestowed the Sir Frank Whittle Medal, (one of their highest accolades) on Dan for his outstanding and sustained achievement, which has contributed to the wellbeing of the nation. David Weir supported Dan’s nomination for the Whittle Medal, saying: “Dan has built my racing wheelchairs since 1998. In that time I have achieved six Paralympic medals, won many marathons, World and European Championships, and set several world records. I don’t think I would have been able to compete at this high level without the support of Dan, Draft Wheelchairs, and their racing chairs.”
Dan says he is particularly proud of his Royal Academy award as an engineer who has come to the field through a totally unconventional route, with no formal training, and is hugely honoured to be recognised by a premier professional body.