Born in Lewisham, London, he grew up in York and now lives in Exeter, Devon with his wife, legal historian Rebecca Probert. He studied Chinese at St Anne's College, Oxford and Chinese History at Fudan University, Shanghai.
A native of Lewisham, London, he spent his youth in York before making Exeter, Devon his home with his spouse, Rebecca Probert, an expert in law. He studied the Chinese language at St Anne's College, Oxford, and Chinese History at Fudan University, Shanghai.