Kevin Horkin
Kevin Horkin is an entrepreneur with a huge affinity with animals and people. As director and founder of four limited companies and a one-time councillor, he’s appeared on scores of occasions on television – on News Night with Jeremy Paxman, among others – and behind the scenes as consultant supplying animals from his Pet Agency for TV favourites Coronation Street and Emmerdale, for commercials like Kellogg’s and Fuji, and many pop videos including the Beatles.
His successful lobbying of the General Optical Council regarding monopolistic trading marked the beginning of independent cut-price spectacle outlets on the high street, and the launch of his own chain of Spex Express Opticians, throughout the northwest.
Kevin founded The Pet Role Trust, a trust devoted to improving animal health and welfare through fund-raising - primarily for the Kennel Club Health Foundation and Manchester Dog’s Home, the largest in the country.
His awareness of the lack of medical and healthcare services in Romania took him on many trips in the early and mid 90s. Enlisting the assistance of Manchester Fire Brigade with two eye surgeons who examined patients and supplied spectacles for them.
Kevin is an experienced writer, national newspaper columnist, and contributor to many glossy magazines. He has interviewed over two hundred stars and personalities about their pets, has three books in print, has appeared on and presented many television programmes, including live presentation at Crufts and other major annual events.
IN PRINT
- Pets and their Personalities
- Pets and Personalities on Coronation Street
- Star Dogs
- 1998 to present Sainsbury’s Pet Club Magazine celebrity reporter
- 1997-1999 My Weekly, Mad about Dogs, The Magazine, supplement Manchester Evening News and other periodicals including TV Times – columnist and feature writer
- 1995-96 The People national newspaper, Our Dogs, columnist and feature writer
TELEVISION
- 1998 to date This Morning – Pet Consultant Christmas celebrations and special features throughout the year
- 1988 to 1998 This Morning – Pet Consultant 10 years on weekly animal feature during the year and also for annual special during Christmas week
- TV pundit and expert for Big Breakfast, and GMTV
- Presenter for Dog Showing videos
- Presenter Crufts Dog Show
BUSINESS
- 1983 to date Spex Express Opticians.- Founder of 1st chain of non-monopolised opticians throughout the northwest
- 1985 to date Pet Role Agency-Animal agency supplying pets for TV programmes, commercials and pop videos including Coronation Street, cat on the roof Frisky, Hilda Ogden's dog (Rommel) Jack Duckworth’s pigeons, Mavis’s budgie. This Morning: many animals including Snowy the donkey. Other programmes include Touch of Frost, Emmerdale, The Bill, Sootie, Where the Heart is.
- 1996 Ken Varey’s Adventure Stores Ribble Valley. Recently took over 40-year-old family business specialising in adventure and outdoor pursuits: fishing, skiing, water-rafting, skateboarding, camping – and more.
- 1990 Founded Pet Role Trust, raising funds for animal welfare.
OTHERS
- a. 1997 to date Celebrity co-ordinator The Kennel Club and Pedigree b. Masterfoods Crufts.
- 1988- 1992 County Councillor and School Governor. Many TV appearances including BBC Newsnight
- 1984-1993 Samaritan Councillor
- Other Interests: Riding, extensive travelling States and China. Member of National Union of Journalists, Member of Equity
- Psychosexual counsellor in training
