Nigel read economics at Bristol University. He qualified as a chartered accountant with Ernst & Young and was made a partner in 1988 at the age of 32.
He served 25 years as a partner, rising to become Managing Partner Markets for the UK & Ireland, responsible for the firm’s growth strategy, relationship with major clients, and the business development function. He served some of the firm’s largest clients, including auditing British Coal in the period up to privatization. He served three years as an elected member of the CBI London Council. He retired from Ernst & Young at the end of 2013 to pursue a portfolio non-executive career spanning the public, private & charitable sectors.