Grew up in Adelaide.
Obtained B Agric Sci degree (University of Adelaide) in 1975.
Spent 1980-1983 working on an agricultural development program in the Solomon Islands, and 1984-1997 operating a family agribusiness in SA (beef cattle, sheep, cereal crops), including the successful "Glen Bold" Angus stud.
In the 1990s co-authored seven books, mostly on global environmental, agricultural, population, economic and health issues.