He is a chartered civil engineer who started his career with Strathclyde Regional Council roads department in 1985.  Shortly after local government reorganisation in 1996 he moved to East Dunbartonshire Council as a Contracts Manager in the Council’s Commercial Services Directorate. He then moved onto a Head of Service position where he had responsibility for a number of services including roads, property maintenance, waste management, fleet and greenspace, before taking up a Corporate Director’s post where his portfolio extended to include planning and economic development.

He was appointed as Chief Executive in January 2009 from his position as Corporate Director of Environment. He represents East Dunbartonshire Council on the Glasgow City Region Chief Executives’ Group and leads the City Region’s Land Use and Sustainability Portfolio Group which includes climate change adaptation within its remit. He is SOLACE’s representative on COSLA’s Terms & Remuneration Working Group and the SJC Steering Group, and is also one of SOLACE’s representatives on the Digital Delivery Board.