Born in Essex, England, I have a degree in Geography, and post-graduate qualifications in Town Planning and Historic Building Conservation (UK). I have worked in planning and historic building conservation positions in Local Government (UK). In 1992 I moved to Queensland to take up a position in the Department of Environment, where I became one of two Deputy Directors in the Heritage Branch. In 2002 I moved to Melbourne to take up a similar position at Heritage Victoria, renting then buying in Park Drive. At the end of 2010, we moved to Queensland where I established my heritage consultancy. Since early 2017 I have been working primarily for Worlledge Associates, based in Oxford. We returned to Parkville in 2018.