Chris was brought up in Ambleside and Grasmere, and educated at Heversham Grammar School and the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. He went on to enjoy a 30 year career in the Army focusing on intelligence support to military operations, and deploying to Cyprus, Iraq, Bosnia and Northern Ireland. 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 operating in challenging areas, including Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya and Somalia. He took a leading role in the promotion of professional and human rights standards for the global armed security industry for which he was awarded an OBE.

Since returning to Cumbria in 2013, Chris has led a number of charities including The Army Benevolent Fund, Cumbria Scouts and Patterdale Mountain Rescue, and he currently chairs the Cumbria Army Cadet Force Trust. He sat as a Magistrate on the North and West Cumbria Bench for a number of years, and is the Patron for Ambleside Sports.

Chris was appointed a Director and Vice-chair for L & K Group in 2025. L & K Group operate the J36 Business Park, and Livestock Auction Markets at J36 and Lancaster, working with the farming communities and agricultural businesses of South Cumbria, North Lancashire and beyond.

Chris has served as a Deputy Lieutenant for Cumbria since 2020, chairing the King’s Award for Voluntary Service Committee for much of that time. He was appointed Vice Lord-Lieutenant in 2026.

Chris was delighted to join CCF’s Main Grants Committee in 2018 and to be appointed a Trustee in 2019. He looks on both as valuable opportunities to bring knowledge of the county and charity and business experience to bear on the Foundation’s work for the benefit of all Cumbrians.