Born in Bristol, I spent my early years living in Somerset and southern Africa where I developed a passion for nature and an outdoor lifestyle. Graduating from University with a wildlife conservation degree, I began my career with Devon Wildlife Trust working as a nature reserve warden. I spent over a decade working for various conservation charities, finally ending up in Scotland managing nature reserves and running my own training team for the Scottish Wildlife Trust. It was here that I first learnt  the art of drystone walling.