Alan is a qualified teacher gaining his qualification from Leicester University. Teaching English in schools in both London and Leicester eventually becoming Head of English in one school and moving to another to lead the Communication Studies Faculty.

Having taught for a number of years Alan was appointed as Senior Project Manager at the School Development Support Agency, a not for profit company working with education providers and children's services. Working across the 5-19 years age range, Alan had a diverse portfolio including community cohesion, children and young people’s participation, raising achievement, healthy schools and anti-bullying.  
Alan had an opportunity to take early retirement but has continued to take an interest in education. He's done a full term as Chair of Governors in two city primary schools and has recently become a governor in another. He also mentors Year 10 and 11's on a voluntary basis in a local secondary school. For a number of years he was a trustee of an organisation that supports male survivors of sexual abuse and is currently a tree warden for Leicester City Council. He manages a community garden project and is on a waiting list for an allotment