Nigel grew up on a 2,000-head dairy research farm in England before qualifying as a vet in 1975 - a family tradition since his great-grandfather qualified in the 1800’s from Edinburgh University.

After three years in UK general practice, he relocated to North Yemen for three years on an aid project – the start of a peculiar love-affair with arid lands. Nigel has worked in 26 countries, mostly developing nations, with diverse hands-on roles including disease control, captive breeding and rehabilitation of gazelles in Saudi Arabia, oiled birds after the 1991 Gulf War, camel production in Ethiopia, MLA’s Livestock Services Manager for the Middle East and Africa, five years in Mongolia on assorted projects and two stints in Australia with Bombala RLPB and Glen Innes LLS. He is currently a Chairman of Stock Welfare Panels for DPI.

Along his journey, he has earned an MSc in Tropical Animal Production and Health, membership of the Animal Welfare Chapter of the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists, Honorary Life Membership of the Mongolian Veterinary Association, awarded ‘Outstanding Expert of Food and Agricultural Sector' in Mongolia and the National Emergency Medal for his efforts in the 2019-20 bushfires.