Born in Dundee and brought up in Monifieth he served a mechanical engineering apprenticeship with Lomax and Smith one of the last sub-contract engineering firms in the city. In 1974 he began work in Mechanical Engineering at The Dundee College of Technology (Abertay) and came to work two years later in the M.S.I. workshops serving the University's Biochemistry and Anatomy departments. In 1986 he moved into the newly formed Central Workshops. His interest in new technology caused him to further develop his skills in IT, and he was appointed to his current post in the Centre for Medical Education in 1990. His wide range of experience over these years resulted in him being elected an official of the Technicians union (Unite) and he is the current Dundee University group chairman. He is vice chair of the Tayside Higher Education Branch and a member of the Scottish Region Higher Education Sector. He is also one of the member nominated trustees for the University of Dundee Superannuation Scheme and a Technicians Training Officer.

He has more recently been instrumental in the implementing of the Framework Agreement in Dundee University as part of a nationally agreed new pay structure in Higher Education.