Chris was brought up in Ambleside and Grasmere, and educated at Heversham Grammar School and the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.

Chris went on to enjoy a 30 year career in the Army focusing on intelligence support to military operations. He was awarded an MBE for his contribution to the planning for The 1st Gulf War.

He then spent eight years as a risk management consultant, spending much of his time overseas supporting governments and international organisations operating in challenging areas, including Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya and Somalia. Associated with this work, he took a leading role in the promotion of professional and human rights standards for the global armed security industries for which he was awarded an OBE.

Since returning to Cumbria in 2013, Chris has been involved in the leadership of a number of charities including The Army Benevolent Fund, Cumbria Scouts and Patterdale Mountain Rescue. He sat as a Magistrate on the North and West Cumbria Bench for a number of years, and has served as a Deputy Lieutenant for Cumbria since 2020, chairing the King’s Award for Voluntary Service Committee from 2020 to 2026. He is the Patron for Ambleside Sports and The Michelle Jurd Trust.

In 2025, Chris was appointed a Director and Vice-chair for L & K Group. The Group run the J36 Business Park, and Livestock Auction Markets at J36 and Lancaster.

Chris was appointed Vice Lord-Lieutenant for Cumbria in 2026.