I was born in Akrotiri, Cyprus as the youngest child in a family of 4 children, but moved to England at the age of 5.

I lived in Shrewsbury, England with my parents until I left home to go to university, where I studied for a B.Sc. in Mathematics and Education, and a teaching qualification, at Loughbourough University of Technology.

I developed a lifelong love of learning which led to the following:


I became a Christian at the age of 14 and my faith remains an important part of my life today.

I met my wife, Shanhong, whilst teaching in Shanghai - and we were married 'officially' in China in 2006 - but more conventionally in a ceremony before family and friends in Chiang Mai, Thailand in July 2007.