Mark started playing the cornet aged 6 with the Ellenbrook and Boothstown Band before joining the Walkden Band. When Mark was 13 he joined the Besses Boys Band on principal cornet where he stayed until he was 18. During this time Mark was appointed principal cornet with the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain. After leaving Besses Boys Mark moved to Wingates on principal cornet where he stayed for 2 enjoyable years.

In 1992 Mark accepted Howard Snell’s offer to become principal cornet with the Britannia Building Society Band (now Fodens) a position he still holds to date. Since 1992 Mark has been privileged to win every major title with Fodens including the British Open, National Finals, European Championships, Swiss, French and American Opens as well as numerous victories at the All England Masters Contest, Area Contest and Brass in Concert entertainment competitions.

Mark enjoyed 3 years as the cornet tutor with the ‘National Children’s Band of Great Britain’ and has been an entrance examiner and cornet tutor with the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain since 2000. Mark was a founder member of the ‘Northern Ireland Armagh Summer School’ and has appeared as a cornet tutor with the ‘National Youth Brass Band of Wales.’ In 2010 Mark became cornet tutor on the ‘Brass Band Summer School’ and 'Visitng Cornet Tutor' at the Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester

Mark is a ‘Besson Artist’ where he endorses the ‘Besson’ brand of cornets and is regarded as one of the leading cornet players of his generation being in demand in this country and abroad as a cornet soloist, teacher, clinician, adjudicator as well as having a number of solo recording to his name.

In 2009 Mark was voted by the banding public as the ‘2009 4barsrest Player of the Year’

Mark is an 'Associate Member of ABBA'.