Brian grew up in the West Country and went to school in Somerset. While researching in the Middle East he witnessed first hand the pointless destruction of war.

After University his post-grad diploma in Agricultural Engineering launched him on a 20 year career in water, sanitation and health programmes in Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean. Working with WaterAid in Tanzania, he helped to bring safe water to over a million people.

When studying for an MA he won a scholarship to the Liberal Summer School and joined the Lib Dems.  In 1999 he married Clare, a fellow Aid worker. His PhD thesis for Cranfield University was published recently. He has written a number of publications, made films, and broadcast on radio and TV. He has helped in by-elections from Hartlepool to Southall. In 2005 he stood in a local by-election  in Westminster. This year he co-wrote and presented the new Party Policy on International Development, passed unanimously at Harrogate.