Derek is a lifelong Brighton & Hove Albion fans, and except for periods of working overseas in the late 1970s early 1980s, he has lived in Brighton for most of his life.
In 1982, he formed Adenstar Developments Ltd, which grew to become one of the largest construction companies in the south east.
He retired in 2010 so that he could project manage the construction of the Amex for the club, which was followed by the expansion of the stadium and the building of the training ground.
He has also spent some time in Qatar between 2012 and 2014, working on their 2022 World Cup stadia.
Derek has been a director of the club since 1999, and his favourite memory is always of the last game the club has won.