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.
Hailing from Lewisham, London, he developed in York and currently resides in Exeter, Devon alongside his wife, Rebecca Probert, a legal scholar. He pursued Chinese at St Anne's College, Oxford, and Chinese History at Fudan University, Shanghai.